A £291 million funding package from the Government and Active Travel England (ATE) will help boost walking, wheeling and cycling in England.
The package will see a much needed £30m given to Sustrans to deliver improvements to the National Cycle Network.
ATE says the package will help build 300 miles of new cycle tracks and footpaths to encourage 300 million more journeys by bike or foot every year.
The cycle lanes and walkways will lead to 43,000 fewer sick days a year, due to the health benefits of increased active travel, easing pressure on the NHS, according to ATE.
ATE says the new infrastructure will add £9m to the economy annually by supporting business and making it easier to walk and cycle to work.
The funding is part of Labour’s Plan for Change, which “sets out ambitious but achievable milestones” to be reached by the end of Parliament.
The package will also help fund cycle training for children. Local authorities will receive £222.5m for the development and delivery of local active travel schemes, alongside community engagement and training.
Cycling UK, Living Streets and Modeshift will receive £8.5m to deliver walking, wheeling and cycling initiatives in schools and communities.
ATE will provide guidance to help councils ensure local residents and businesses are heard when “designing and delivering transport changes in neighbourhoods”.
The previous Conservative government cut England’s cycling and walking budget by £380m in March 2023.
The Labour government announced a £100m investment in walking and cycling in the autumn budget.
Former pro cyclist and national active travel commissioner Chris Boardman says: “Making it simple and safe to walk, wheel or cycle to schools, shops and workplaces is one of the most effective actions we can take to improve the nation’s health, economy and get to net zero, all in one.
“Free exercise, zero emissions and no risk of getting stuck in traffic are benefits already being enjoyed as standard by our European neighbours and it’s time we had the same life-improving choices.
“This funding will help make our towns, cities and villages happier, healthier and greener places to live.”
Boardman has previously stressed the importance of government funding to BikeRadar, saying it is necessary to change street space so active travel has a higher priority.
Minister for local transport Simon Lightwood says: “Walking and cycling is an affordable way to get around and is hugely beneficial for both mental and physical health. We’re making sure local authorities can deliver high-quality and easily accessible schemes for everyone.”
Boardman and Lightwood will mark the announcement of the funding with a visit to Greater Manchester, where ATE says active travel policies have been “hugely successful".
A recent report by Transport for Greater Manchester says infrastructure upgrades are encouraging people to walk and cycle. The percentage of short journeys (under 2km) walked is now 57, compared to 52 per cent five years ago
Greater Manchester now has 117km of new bike lanes, with the figure set to rise to at least 160km in the next two years.
