Twelve England regional mayors pledge support for national active travel network

A total of 12 mayors in England have pledged to create a national active travel network to boost walking, wheeling and cycling in the country, with a focus on schools.

The scheme is set to launch in autumn 2025, initially working with around 1,000 schools and establishing 300 safer routes for those walking, wheeling and cycling. The first phase will focus on delivering well-established and widely supported improvements such as school streets, traffic calming measures, new pedestrian crossings and upgraded, obstruction-free pavements.

Aside from this, the mayors agreed on an initial network of 3,500 miles of safer routes connecting housing to schools and high streets. It also targets areas that have the poorest health and air quality.

The mayors also committed to working with the Department for Transport, Active Travel England and local authorities to create a country-wide national walking, wheeling and cycling network, comprising local networks that are safe and easy to use, for their regions’ 20 million residents.

They also committed to transforming the school run by delivering high-quality, safer routes in neighbourhoods nationwide, and boosting regional integrated transport networks by providing people with easy access to buses, trams and trains through walking, wheeling and cycling.

“People will only consider travelling actively if it is easy and safe. That’s what the mayors have today pledged to do, and that’s why the government is backing them. It’s going to have a hugely positive impact on millions of people’s daily lives,” said Chris Boardman, Commissioner of National Active Travel.

Moreover, the scheme can also help residents in the regions meet the recommended activity levels, thereby lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and depression. In the long run, the scheme can also ease the pressure on the NHS.

“It is a key part of our Plan for Change, boosting local businesses, growing local economies and easing pressure on the NHS. That’s why this government is investing £616 million over the next 4 years, on top of £300 million announced in February, to give more people around the country high-quality and healthy ways to get around, and supporting mayors’ plans to create a joined-up network,” said Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood.