Groups across York and North Yorkshire will be able to bid for a share of a new £4 million fund to encourage more active travel across the region.
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority approved the Mayor’s Active Travel Fund at a meeting today (Monday 30 June), when members also gave the green light to appoint an Active Travel Commissioner for the duration of the Mayor’s term.
The new fund could support a wide variety of activities aimed at building safer streets across York and North Yorkshire, including:
- New facilities, such as secure cycle parking
- Repairing or updating facilities
- Travel behaviour change initiatives, such as School Streets
- Training
- Community bike schemes
A new Active Travel Commissioner will oversee the fund as part of their role to provide direction and expertise to deliver the Mayor’s vision of a comprehensive network of lit, well-maintained walking, cycling and wheeling routes across York and North Yorkshire.
David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy walking, wheeling and cycling, but we need to work harder to make it the natural choice for more journeys.
“We recently boosted existing projects with £20 million. Now we are recruiting a dedicated Active Travel Commissioner and we’re doubling the funding available for new initiatives.
“This isn’t just about moving people around. It means affordable, sustainable choices for everyone, safer journeys to school, and reducing our environmental impact.
“We’re open to ideas that work for all our communities, and this significant £4 million fund can support everything from secure cycle parking to school streets programmes and more.
“Given the rural nature of much of our region, we really want to enable schemes that promote active travel in rural villages and market towns, as well as in urban areas.”
The news comes ahead of the Active City York conference this week, where the Mayor will speak to National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman about regional and national ambitions to get more people walking, cycling and wheeling.
Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner, said: “Enabling more people to walk wheel or cycle to where they need to be – whether that’s in cities, towns or villages – is one of the best interventions we can make to improve the nation’s health, environment and economy, all in one.
“This is why it’s brilliant that this funding is available to organisations across York and North Yorkshire. The combined authority know what works best in their neighbourhoods, and can help develop schemes that give communities travel choices that are safe, accessible and attractive to all, which will mean happier, healthier and greener journeys across the region.”
Open to town and parish councils, community organisations, businesses, charities, North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council, the fund will open for applications later this year.
It follows the recent approval of £20 million toward transport schemes across the region, with a focus on active travel.
Greater active travel supports all of the Combined Authority’s transport priorities – healthier travel, accessible for everyone, enhances safety, protects our environment and supports economic growth, as well as the Mayor’s vision for healthy and resilient communities where people are connected to opportunity and to the outdoors.
The Mayor’s Active Travel Fund is the latest scheme to launch under the £27 million Mayoral Challenge Fund, which includes programmes to strengthen high streets and key business sectors, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost adult vocational skills.