Over £70 million goes toward improving walking and cycling routes in the West
Active Travel England praises the West's progress with new walking and cycling infrastructure
The West of England is seeing significant investments in walking, cycling, and wheeling infrastructure, with over £70 million currently being allocated to improvements across the area.
This sum is contributing to the creation of more than 47 miles of new and upgraded cycle paths, alongside almost as many improvements to pedestrian routes.
Ten new school streets are also part of the development, showcased on a new interactive map.
Active Travel England (ATE) recently visited the region to review completed and ongoing projects in Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Interim CEO of ATE, Graham Grant, toured these areas together with local council transport officers and cabinet members.
With further support from ATE Regional Manager South West Lindsay Holloway, the group used Dott’s e-bike scheme to explore enhanced routes like Bath Quays Links, Scholars’ Way, and Bradley Stoke Way, including various locations around Filton.
The visit follows praise from Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner, who recognised the area's advancements in sustainable travel and its benefits for public health and the economy.
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority's capability rating has increased from level 2 to level 3, setting the region on comparable grounds with Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, and West Yorkshire.
This increase in rating has helped secure an additional £11.7 million from government funds.
Councillor Lucy Hodge, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Delivery at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said:
“We were delighted to show Active Travel England all the progress we are making in improving sustainable travel options. The western section of Scholars’ Way in Bath is due to be completed in the spring, with several new crossings already benefiting local communities.”
Councillor Sean Rhodes, South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Local Place, said:
“We are really pleased that Active Travel England has recognised the quality of the improvements we are making to support more sustainable ways of getting around. This means that we join 10 other Local Transport Authorities leading the way nationally with a capability rating of 3.”
The Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, expressed gratitude for ATE’s ongoing collaboration and highlighted active travel's role in the region's Transport Vision, which includes plans to double the number of School Streets by 2028.
Graham Grant from Active Travel England said:
“When more people can choose to travel actively for everyday journeys, it benefits their health, their local economy, and their communities.”
The West of England's advancements in active travel infrastructure are seen as significant and a welcome contribution to healthier, greener community spaces across the region.