Active Travel England (ATE) has today announced the appointment of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Lord Geoffrey Filkin as Non-Executive Directors to its board, alongside the appointment of Mayors Helen Godwin and Mayor David Skaith as Advisors.
The appointments come as the Government launched its new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy on 12 June, backed by a projected £4.5 billion investment over the next five years. Alongside the strategy, Active Travel England published its Worth Every Step delivery plan setting out how that investment will be used to create 5,000 new walking, wheeling and cycling routes and 10,000 safer crossings by 2030.
The new board members will help ATE deliver on the Government's ambition for more than half of short journeys in towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035.
Baroness Grey-Thompson has been appointed for a four-year term and Lord Geoffrey Filkin has been appointed for a three-year term. Mayors Godwin and Skaith will serve as voluntary advisors for a two-year term.
"Tanni and Geoff bring exactly the kind of expertise and ambition that Active Travel England needs as we move into the most significant period of investment in walking and cycling that this country has ever seen. Having Helen and David as advisors means we are genuinely rooted in the places we are trying to change - bringing the voice of local leaders who are already making a real difference to delivery on the ground.
"Helen has already shown what's possible in the West of England, where active travel is being built into the very fabric of how people get around. David brings that same local knowledge, ambition and commitment from his region. Together, they will help us make sure this record investment reaches the communities that need it most.
"Every journey starts somewhere - and with this team alongside us, we are better placed that ever to make those journeys safer, easier and more inviting for everyone."
“I’m delighted to be joining Active Travel England at such an exciting time, helping people think differently about how they can travel. Physical activity and travel have long been important parts of my work, and there’s a real opportunity here to make a meaningful difference for disabled people, because even small changes can have a big impact.”
"ATE has great ambitions to help many more children and adults to enjoy active lives and have better health.
"So I am delighted to join Chris Boardman, ATE’s Board and many others outside government to help make this happen."
“I am delighted to be joining the board of Active Travel England. As one of the elected mayors to step into this role, we have a real opportunity to help shape how we improve people's options for safer walking, wheeling, and cycling in our regions and nationally.
"In the West of England, we are proud to be recognised as one of the top-rated mayoral authorities for active travel – but we are not standing still. With continued support and £12 million of further investment from Active Travel England, plus the £50 million we have allocated for active travel from the latest record transport funding secured from government, we will be able to go even further.”
"Walking, wheeling and cycling should be safe, accessible and practical choices for everyone, whether you're travelling to school, work, the shops or simply enjoying our incredible region.
“Across York and North Yorkshire, we're already investing in projects that remove barriers to active travel and help people make healthier, more sustainable journeys.
"I'm delighted to be joining Active Travel England as an advisor at such an important moment. This record investment presents a huge opportunity to improve connections between communities, support local economies and give more people the confidence to choose active travel every day.
"I look forward to bringing the voice of York and North Yorkshire to the table and working with partners across the country to ensure this investment delivers real benefits for people and places."
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