DfT announces £64m boost for active travel projects

The government has today announced 64m funding for a host of active travel projects across the UK. Big winners include Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, which will get £7.5m and Bristol City Council £6.9m. In a consortium bid Blackpool Council will get £7.498m with Buckinghamshire County Council, Hertfordshire County Council, North East Combined Authority, Stoke on Trent, West Sussex, Hampshire, Leicester, North Lincolnshire and Surrey county councils.

Landor LINKS will be delivering workshops around Access funding and other sustainable transport funds at the Sustainable Transport and Health Summit in Bristol on 24 February, 2017.

The £64m Access Fund will support local projects over three years from 2017 - 2020 and form part of a wider government package of more than £300m to boost walking and cycling during the current parliament. 

By 2040 the government aims to make this part of everyday life and walking and cycling the natural choice for shorter journeys.

All English transport authorities (outside London) were invited to bid for the funding, with 25 local authority bidders winning a share of the money.

All English transport authorities (outside London) were invited to bid for the funding. The following 25 successful local authority bidders will each receive a share of the £64 million Sustainable Travel Access Fund for 2017-20.

The money will deliver:

• more safety and awareness training for cyclists  
• extra secure cycle storage 
• bike repair and maintenance courses 
• road safety measures
• mapping information for pedestrians
• real time bus information through smart phone apps or information at bus stops 
• increased focus on car sharing clubs 

The funding will also target those looking to get back into work because access to transport and the cost of travel often restricts where jobseekers can look for work and their ability to attend interviews. They will also benefit from discount bus travel and bike loans.  

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “We are committed to improving how people travel and this investment will ensure that people’s journeys are cheaper, safer and better for the environment. It will help people to become more active and better transport planning will reduce congestion on our roads – particularly at peak times. This investment will also help people access jobs, education and training - specifically targeting those looking to get back into work, as part of our relentless drive to make this a country that works for everyone.”

This investment is extremely welcome and a much needed call to action for cycling and walking to be placed at the heart of local decision making

Xavier Brice, Chief Executive of Sustrans, said: “This investment is extremely welcome and a much needed call to action for cycling and walking to be placed at the heart of local decision making, with projects now being taken forward that will improve access to jobs, skills, education and training.

 “We look forward to working in partnership with councils across the country to create a step-change in numbers of people cycling and walking to work and by putting in place solutions that will improve lives, transform places and connect communities.”

Stephen Joseph, Chief Executive, Campaign for Better Transport said: “We strongly welcome this announcement of the access fund projects and the new cycling and walking to work fund. The evidence suggests that these kinds of projects can remove barriers to work, help local communities and businesses and also tackle local transport problems by giving people attractive alternatives to car use. We look forward to working with the Government, the authorities involved, and other organisations to develop and learn from these projects.”

The Winning Bids

East Sussex County Council – £1.2m

Isle of Wight Council – £1.35m

Herefordshire County Council – £1.5m

Sheffield City Region Combined Authority – £7.5m

Lancashire County Council - Joint bid with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council – £1.94m

Norfolk County Council – £1.488m

North Yorkshire County Council – £0.974m

Plymouth City Council – £1.497m

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council joint bid with Thurrock Council and Essex County Council – £3.322m

Lincolnshire County Council – £0.975m

Blackpool Council - Consortium bid with Buckinghamshire CC, Hertfordshire CC, North East CA, Stoke on Trent CC, West Sussex CC, Hampshire CC, Leicester CC, North Lincolnshire Council and Surrey CC – £7.498m

Devon County Council – £1.5m

Brighton and Hove Council – £1.485m

Bristol City Council (West of England) – £6.901m

Slough Borough Council – £1.5m

Tees Valley Combined Authority – £3.323m

York, City of – £1.312m

Kent County Council – £1.452m

East Riding of Yorkshire Council – £0.682m

North East Lincolnshire Council – £1.388m

Nottingham City Council - joint bid with Derby City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council – £2.735m

Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council – £3.195m

Nottinghamshire County Council – £0.845m

Southampton City Council (joint bid with Hampshire County Council) – £2.294m

Luton Borough Council (joint bid with Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council) – £2.128m

The Cycling and Walking to work Fund offers £3.8 million to be invested in three city regions over the next twelve months to connect jobseekers with employment and apprenticeships:

West Yorkshire Combined Authority – £1.5m

Greater Manchester Combined Authority – £1.5m

Liverpool City Region – £0.77m

Local sustainable transport collections

Local sustainable transport fund: What works?

Local sustainable transport fund annual report 2014-15

Access Fund government decisions 2017-20

Find out more about these new funding initiatives and meet with project teams at the forthcoming Sustainable Transport & Health Summit, 23-24 February in Bristol.  There are now limited free public sector places, so make sure you reserve your place today.