£36m boost for cycling and walking

Mayor Richard Parker has secured another £36 million to invest in active travel projects to get more people cycling and walking across the region. 

The funding will be used by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and local councils to build more safe cycling and walking routes and deliver programmes like School Streets and Bikeability to encourage more people to cycle and walk for the daily journeys. 

As well as announcing the four-year funding package, Active Travel England has also today given TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), a capability rating of 3 – the joint-highest rating achieved by any authority.  

This shows the region has ‘very strong local leadership’ on active travel, capable staff, comprehensive plans, a significant network already in place and a growing number of people choosing to walk, wheel or cycle. 

Active Travel Commissioner Beccy Marston and Mayor Richard Parker

The Mayor has made increasing levels of active travel, especially for shorter tips, a key part of his ‘Journeys for Everyone’ priority and the forthcoming Mayor’s Local Transport Plan.   

He said: “This extra funding and high rating is a great show of confidence in our ability to deliver on active travel – and we will. This means more cycle lanes, road crossings, and better pathways to make it easier and safer for everyone to walk and cycle, especially for those shorter journeys like the school run or a trip to the local shops.   

“Investing in active travel is how we will reduce gridlock on our streets, clean our air, and build a happier and healthier community." 

Earlier this year the Mayor appointed Beccy Marston as the West Midlands Active Travel Commissioner to work with councils, organisations and communities to further increase levels of walking and cycling. 

Beccy said: “This funding allows us to further improve the safety and accessibility of walking, wheeling and cycling within our communities. I’m proud of the commitment demonstrated by our regional officers and the politicians who have championed this work, resulting in the retention of our capability rating.  

“We will invest this money to continue building a connected, safe network that supports independent travel for young people and helps people make healthy choices for short trips, baking physical activity into daily routines.” 

The funding is part of a £626 million investment announced today by government and Active Travel England for councils across the country.  

National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said: “We are not just building infrastructure — together, we are creating communities: places where parents feel confident letting children travel independently, and where older people can reach local shops with ease. We are building life back into our streets.”