Greater Manchester awarded £35 million to further boost active travel

Greater Manchester will receive more than £35 million in new government funding to further boost active travel in the city-region.

The funding from Active Travel England will help deliver new school streets and crossings, improve existing routes, and address accessibility issues through better links to other public transport modes likes buses, trams and trains and delivering new side road zebra crossings.

The multi-year funding is part of a £626 million national package for walking, wheeling and cycling schemes, which was initially announced as part of the Spending Review in June.

Greater Manchester’s allocation – the highest across North West local authorities – is based on its past track record in delivering active travel schemes. Greater Manchester Combined Authority has maintained its Level 3 rating, indicating very strong local leadership, organisational capability, with the region deemed as having a significant active travel network that is encouraging more people to walk, wheel or cycle.

Richard Nickson, Transport for Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Network Director, said:

“This funding is a real vote of confidence in the excellent work Greater Manchester has already delivered to get more people of all ages walking, wheeling and cycling as part of the Bee Network, our integrated public transport system.

“Providing high-quality active travel infrastructure has been at the core of our Bee Network vision from the beginning, so we are delighted Greater Manchester’s local authorities continue to be recognised as being among the most capable when organising, planning and delivering active travel schemes.

“We are committed to creating a more established culture of active travel across our city-region, and this funding will allow us to continue making improvements to help people make more sustainable choices when travelling around Greater Manchester.”

Dame Sarah Storey, Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner, said:

“The additional funding confirmation from Active Travel England is very welcome and will enable the Greater Manchester Authorities to continue to develop high quality walking, wheeling and cycling routes that form part of the regions Bee Network ambitions. 

“I am committed to continuing to work with TfGM and the local authorities to ensure they are able to deliver the work that is already underway, as well as develop a full connected active travel network that provides safe routes for everyone, regardless of the purpose of their journey.”