The government has allocated £200m for cycling and walking schemes, which is expected to generate up to 16 million more walking and cycling trips a year across the country.
The money will enhance rural connections, create 120 miles of cycling track and see 130 more schemes to help over 35,000 children on their way to school
Following consultation with local authorities, communities across England will benefit from the new funding, with over 265 schemes in 60 areas receiving a share of the latest round of funding.
The investment, announced in February of this year, will deliver a range of schemes across the country, including 77 miles of new paths and greenways and initiatives to make streets safer around 130 schools.
“By giving millions of people the freedom of choice to walk, wheel or cycle for everyday trips, this funding will help us improve public health, tackle climate change and give hundreds of thousands of children the independence to travel safely under their own steam,” said Chris Boardman, national active travel commissioner.
“Now our focus is working with councils to get these schemes built swiftly. We’ll be working together to ensure the projects are well-designed and effective, so that they bring maximum benefits to communities and help improve lives nationwide.”
Successful authorities have detailed the benefits of successful schemes, including Tamworth in Staffordshire, which will use the funding to enable active and safe modes of travel to schools, while Barnstaple and Ilfracombe in Devon will see an unused railway track converted into a walking and cycling route to connect rural communities.
