Greater Manchester Mayor signs active travel pledge

Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, has signed a pledge committing to greater investment in active travel infrastructure to support more people to make healthier and greener journeys by walking, wheeling and cycling.

The pledge, signed jointly by 12 Combined Authority Mayors across England signs them up to create a new national network of active travel routes reaching around 20 million people. In Greater Manchester, this means a commitment to continuing the city-region’s ambitious plans around the Bee Network. Working alongside local authorities and partners, by 2027 TfGM anticipates 176 km of Bee Network standard segregated walking, wheeling and cycling routes will have been completed across the city-region.

As part of the agreement the Mayors have committed to: 

• Work with the Department for Transport, Active Travel England and local authorities to create a country-wide national walking, wheeling and cycling network, comprising of local networks that are safe and easy to use.
• Transform the school run by delivering high-quality, safer routes in neighbourhoods nationwide.  
• Boost regional integrated transport networks by giving people easy walking, wheeling and cycling access to buses, trams and trains which will link to new housing and support local economic growth. 

Regionally, Greater Manchester has committed to:

• Increasing the number of School Streets to 60 in the next year. The long-term goal is to increase the number of School Streets to 100 by 2028.
• Building a network of connected routes that will link up or extend routes on the existing cycle network, aligning with neighbourhood improvements to connect local communities to the rest of the Bee Network.
• Integrating accessible walking, wheeling and cycling routes to make it easier for people to access public transport.

The Bee Network is having a positive impact on the number of people opting to walk short journeys, rather than travel by car – outlined in the latest Annual Report. In the last five years, Greater Manchester has seen the proportion of people walking short journeys increase from 52% to 57%. The proportion of short journeys being taken by car is also down from 41% to 36%. 

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“Helping more people to walk, wheel, and cycle around Greater Manchester is at the very heart of the Bee Network and we’re working hard to create a transport system that works for everyone – whether you’re hopping on a tram, catching a bus, or choosing to travel in a more active way.

“We have delivered 136 km of active travel routes across Greater Manchester so far and are really seeing the difference this is making, with cycling up and more people choosing active travel over the car for short journeys.

“I’m proud to state my ongoing support for active travel and alongside Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey and our local councils we will grow our network further still, increase the number of School Streets and expand our bike hire scheme, making it even easier and safer for people to get around in ways that are healthy, affordable, and good for the planet.”

National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said:

“Our regional leaders have today marked the start of an exciting chapter, by pledging to give people across the country more transport choice. We know that more walking, wheeling and cycling will improve our countries mental and physical health, but it will do much more; it’s the foundation for thriving integrated public transport networks, it increases access to work, boosting local economic growth and it will give millions of children more independence.

“People will only consider traveling actively if it is easy and safe. That’s what the Mayors have today pledged to do and that’s why Government is backing them. It’s going to have a hugely positive impact on millions of people’s daily lives.”  

The Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said: 

“I know I am one of many who enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that come with walking or cycling to work or school.

“That’s why this Government is investing £616m over the next four years, on top of £300m announced in February, to give more people around the country high quality and healthy ways to get around, and supporting Mayors’ plans to create a joined up network.“

The initiative comes as recent research shows one in six early deaths could be prevented with regular moderate exercise. Meanwhile, a study from 2023/24 found that, in England, 35.8% of year 6 children were overweight or living with obesity, with 22.1% living with obesity.

The group of mayors have committed to delivering a national network of 3,500 miles of safe routes connecting housing to schools and targeting areas where health and air quality are poorest, helping to reduce stark health inequalities. This will help 20 million residents across all the mayors’ regions meet recommended activity levels, reducing risks of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression while supporting the Government’s Plan for Change by easing pressure on the NHS and boosting growth.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said:

“Increasing physical activity has health benefits across the life course. As part of this, we need to make walking and cycling more accessible, and safer, as well as access to green space easier and more equitable. This will help remove barriers to improving physical activity levels and could significantly improve the health of England’s increasingly urban population.”