Mayor's delight at £9.5 million active travel cash

The North East is set to benefit from a multi-million-pound investment to improve walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure.

The North East Combined Authority has been awarded £9.5 million as part of a £291 million national funding package from Active Travel England. 

The investment aims to enhance accessibility and encourage more sustainable travel options across the region.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness welcomed the funding, which will support new and improved active travel routes.

Mayor McGuinness said: “I am passionate about active travel, which is central to our plans to transform our transport network – delivering a green, integrated transport network that works for all.

“Active Travel funding is vital to ensure we do all we can to encourage more people to walk, wheel and cycle – and to help people do this safely and with confidence. 

“This funding will support us in our mission to boost active travel in the North East, in line with our draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) which recently saw over 16,000 responses as part of a 12-week public consultation.”

National active travel commissioner and former professional cyclist Chris Boardman, who won a gold medal in the individual pursuit at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, added: “Making it simple and safe to walk, wheel or cycle to schools, shops and workplaces is one of the most effective actions we can take to improve the nation’s health, economy and get to net-zero.

“Free exercise, zero emissions and no risk of getting stuck in traffic are benefits already being enjoyed as standard by our European neighbours, and it’s time we had the same life-improving choices. 

“This funding will help make our towns, cities and villages happier, healthier and greener places to live.”

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