- Millions of people to benefit from safer, better-connected walking, wheeling and cycling routes across England
- Hundreds of projects and wider network improvements to be funded, including maintenance, more accessible routes and safer crossings
- Plans come as part of government ambition to build a national active travel network
Millions of people across England will benefit from safer, more accessible walking, wheeling and cycling routes thanks to a record investment in the National Cycle Network (NCN) from the Government.
Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander announced the £104 million package this morning (Tuesday 22 September) at Active Travel England’s (ATE) Making Active Places conference in Manchester.
The funding will be given to the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (WWCT) – the charity responsible for developing, maintaining and improving the network – over four years to support hundreds of projects, including new traffic-free routes, safer crossings, resurfacing work, and the removal of barriers that restrict access for wheelchair users.
The money will also support vital repairs and maintenance to bridges, tunnels and former railway infrastructure that form key parts of the network.
The investment builds on the government’s commitment to establish the foundations of a national active travel network by 2030.
The summer’s third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3) outlined how local active travel plans will be consolidated into a single national digital platform.
Work is also underway to establish England’s first walking, wheeling and cycling wayfinding system, with standardised signage and route marking. As part of this ATE and the Department for Transport will provide new guidance on network planning, route connectivity and wayfinding, alongside updated traffic sign regulations to make journeys safer, easier and more accessible.
"This record investment gives us the long-term certainty required to improve and expand the National Cycle Network, creating safer and better-connected routes that make it easier to choose walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday journeys. It’s another important step towards building an active travel network that works for everyone."
“We want to give everyone across the country the opportunity to walk, wheel or cycle. Today’s £104 million investment will give people more choice on safer, cheaper and more accessible ways to get about.
“Not only will helping more people use active travel to get to the bus stop, school or to the shops reduce traffic on our roads, but it helps our target of getting 5.3 million more people physically active as part of our plan to create a healthier country.”
The National Cycle Network is a UK-wide network of more than 12,000 miles of signed walking, wheeling and cycling routes, linking communities, schools, workplaces and leisure destinations.
The first-ever multi-year funding package will provide the certainty needed to plan and deliver larger, more ambitious improvements across the network over the next four years.
Routes will also be made safer for women and girls, with improved lighting, signage and road markings on key sections of the network, building on ATE’s ongoing work to create safer, more inclusive environments.
“The National Cycle Network is a critical part of the UK’s transport infrastructure, making it possible for people to walk, wheel and cycle with confidence. It connects us to places and people we care about and gives us space to enjoy our beautiful environment.
“Creating safe, accessible routes help people reach work, school, shops and green spaces, while making neighbourhoods healthier, more connected and more enjoyable places to live. Major investment is needed to deliver this vision and today’s announcement of multi-year funding is an important step forward. We look forward to working with communities, partners, and local regional and national government to plan and deliver these improvements.
“Together, we can make every day journeys safer, healthier and more affordable, so everyone can choose the freedom and joy of travelling actively.”
Every £1 invested into the NCN is estimated to return £4.10 in wider economic and social benefits. These include reduced congestion, improved public health and lower carbon emissions.
This investment supports the government's missions to raise living standards, improve public health and make streets safer for everyone while helping to deliver priorities set out in Active Travel England's recently launched four-year strategy, Worth Every Step.