Government announces £2.5m funding for active travel

Trudy Harrison MP, Active Travel Minister at the Department for Transport, has announced £2.5 million additional revenue funding for walking and cycling in 2022- 23.

Speaking at Living Streets’ National Walking Summit today (22 March, 2022), she announced that the further funding would allow for the continuation of some key active travel behaviour change outreach programmes.

£2 million will fund Living Streets’ Walk to School Outreach project to run in over 1,000 schools in England. The Walk to School Outreach programme has led to 17 million new walking journeys and 1.8 million fewer car miles since 2017, supporting the Government’s objective that 55 per cent of primary school children walk to school by 2025.

Further funding announced today will also support the expansion of the successful Modeshift STARS programme next year, allowing more schools and businesses to promote more sustainable and active modes of travel.  The new Active Travel Academies pilot, delivered in partnership by Modeshift and the Bikeability Trust, will support young people to become Active Travel Ambassadors as well as providing the skills and infrastructure to walk and cycle to school.

Nick Butler, Business Director, Modeshift said:

“The Modeshift STARS scheme has seen incredible growth over the last 2-years with two thirds of local authorities in England now engaged in the programme. Since the scheme began, we have seen over 4,000 sites successfully apply for STARS accreditation, and this additional funding will enable us to further expand our reach.

“We’re thrilled to be working alongside our partners, Living Streets and The Bikeability Trust, on developing exciting new offers for education settings, businesses and communities to support and enable more people to choose sustainable and active travel options for everyday journeys. We’re particularly excited about the new Active Travel Academies pilot that will empower young people to take action in their own communities to deliver positive local impact.”

Emily Cherry, Chief Executive, Bikeability Trust said:

“We champion partnerships that encourage community active travel; working in partnership with Living Streets and Modeshift is an exciting step for our shared ambition. Bikeability has trained 3.6 million children and families with the confidence to cycle and our mission is every child and adult by 2025. We are excited to support the Active Travel Academies as an opportunity to inspire the next generation to choose active travel and give more children life long cycling skills.”