Cycling and walking boom with £4.5bn for thousands of new routes and safer crossings

Image by Hrayr Movsisyan from Pixabay

More than half of short journeys in towns and cities will be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035 under new national targets announced by the Department for Transport.

The new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy sets a national target for people to hit the pavement or pedals for 55% of short trips in towns and for 60% of children aged 5 to 16 to travel actively to school by the same year.

The Government is projected to invest over £4.5 billion in active travel over the next five years, and will work with Active Travel England and local authorities to deliver 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings connecting homes with schools, high streets and local services by 2030.

This will also encourage people to walk or bike to public transport hubs, such as train stations, making them more achievable and in line with the way people travel every day.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “Too many people would like to walk, wheel or cycle more often but don’t feel they have safe and convenient options to do so.

“Our new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy sets out how we will change that, with ambitious targets, record levels of investment and a clear plan to make active travel a practical choice for millions more journeys.

“This is about creating healthier communities, helping households keep more money in their pockets and building a transport network that works better for everyone.”

Secretary of State for Health, James Murray, said: “The benefits of walking and cycling for our physical health, mental wellbeing and our communities are clear, and even small increases in physical activity can make a big difference. This investment will help more people build exercise into their everyday lives, improving public health and supporting our ambition to reduce pressure on the NHS.

“The Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy demonstrates how we’re working across government to deliver for our communities and reduce health inequalities, while helping fulfil our commitments as set out in the 10 Year Health Plan.”

Published alongside Active Travel England’s Worth Every Step delivery plan, the strategy sets out how investment in active travel can save households money, improve public health, cut congestion, reduce carbon emissions and support local economies.

By getting more people adopting healthier lifestyles, it would free up around 1.7 million GP appointments every year and lead to 4.4 million fewer sick days.* If households give up a second car in favour of active short trips, it could save families around £1,700 per year on average – that’s more than £17,000 over 10 years.*

National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman said: “Every journey made on foot, wheeling or cycling, delivers value — to the person making it, to the community around them, and to the economy. It keeps money in our pockets, makes us healthier and happier and boosts our local economy.  

“Yet too many of our streets do not yet make those journeys feel safe, easy or inviting. Our Worth Every Step delivery plan will change that. And it starts with where we’ll get the biggest impact: a more active school run and simple zebra crossings to transform local trips.

“It’s time to make the cheapest and healthiest way to travel, the easiest way to travel. When streets work for people, everything else follows.”

The strategy marks a new cross-Government approach to active travel, bringing together transport, health and investment while giving local leaders a greater role in shaping delivery to meet the needs of their communities.

This forms part of the Government’s new Pride in Place programme, empowering communities to take greater control over the renewal of their neighbourhoods, including the introduction of 13 new bathing sites in England.

It also includes plans to develop a coherent transport network designed to make active travel a realistic option for more journeys across England.

Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, said: “Increasing physical activity plays a key role in improving health. The greatest health gain from physical activity comes from those who do none starting to do some, and those who do some increasing their level of activity.

“Walking, wheeling and cycling are great ways to incorporate physical activity to everyday life, across the life course – to encourage this we must make routes practical, safe and equitable. Active Travel England’s work is important in delivering this, and it is encouraging to see this set out in Worth Every Step.”

Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive of Living Streets, said: “This third strategy is bigger and braver than we’ve seen before. As the charity behind the country’s first-ever zebra crossings, we’re delighted there will be 10,000 more on our streets. Side road zebras and the commitment to deliver 5,000 safer routes to school will make healthier travel choices for families much easier.”