The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has announced a £21 million investment to promote active travel in the region, as part of a broader initiative supported by the UK government.
This funding aims to expand cycle routes, improve road junctions, enhance pedestrian crossings, and back community projects that encourage walking and cycling. The goal is to make the region more accessible and safer for those choosing active transport.
Beccy Marston, the West Midlands Active Travel Commissioner, emphasized the region’s commitment to supporting walking, cycling, and wheeling. “The West Midlands is making a historic investment in infrastructure to improve travel for everyone,” she said. “This new funding will help enhance our roads while also supporting local community efforts to increase active travel.”
Previous investments have funded several successful projects, such as extending cycle routes in south Birmingham and adding more cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings in Wolverhampton’s city center. Additional support has gone toward cycling lessons, group walks, and other community-driven initiatives.
Part of a Larger National Investment
This funding forms part of a £291 million initiative from Active Travel England to improve walking and cycling infrastructure across the country. The broader investment will create 300 miles of new footpaths and bike lanes, aiming to encourage 30 million additional walking and cycling trips annually.
Among the planned benefits, the investment will promote 20 million new walk-to-school journeys for children and their families. It will also fund cycle training for hundreds of thousands of children nationwide.
Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner, stated, “Making it easy and safe to walk, wheel, or cycle to schools, shops, and workplaces is key to improving health, boosting the economy, and reaching net-zero emissions.” He added that these benefits, which are already enjoyed by many European countries, should become the standard in the UK as well.
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