Council receives funding to boost active travel

Cheshire West and Chester Council has been awarded just over £128,000 to enable and encourage more people to walk, wheel and cycle by Active Travel England.

The grant from the Active Travel Capability Fund is part of a national £32.9million investment to help accelerate walking and cycling schemes across the country, to tackle the climate emergency and make roads safer for everyone.

The Council was successful in applying for this funding which has been allocated to:

• Develop the Council’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan – further scheme planning, design and consultation
• Assess emergency active travel measures
• Investigate cycle and e-cycle hire opportunities
• Train Council staff and members on active travel guidance and standards to support highway schemes and developments

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “We’re delighted to receive this grant, it will help fund our long-term ambitions to encourage more journeys to be made in a more sustainable way.

“We want to expand our walking and cycling network across the borough, linking with public transport services.  This funding will help us to develop future plans and continue to promote active travel events and schemes.”

The grant supports the Council’s Climate Emergency response plan, and the delivery of its Health and Wellbeing Strategy, Low Emission Strategy, Local Transport Plan and accompanying Cycling Strategy.