£3.9 million funding support for Active Travel in Devon

The Active Travel Funding is a share of £291 million announced nationally yesterday, Wednesday 12 February by the Government and Active Travel England, and is the largest settlement for any authority in the South West.

Walking and cycling projects in Devon are receiving £3.9 million of Government funding, which we’ve welcomed.

The Active Travel Funding is a share of £291 million announced nationally today (Wednesday 12 February) by the Government and Active Travel England (ATE), and is the largest settlement for any authority in the South West.

This latest investment will support the development of around 300 miles of new footpaths and cycle lanes across the country to make walking and cycling easier and safer, while also funding cycle training for thousands of children.

We currently have three Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) and we’re developing three more this year to outline cycling and walking improvements across Devon over the next 10 to 20 years. The aim will be to use all of these plans to inform which schemes will be supported with this latest Active Travel Funding.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said:

“This is a significant and very welcome investment from the Government to support active travel in Devon. We will be using our LCWIPs to guide what cycling and walking projects we can bring forward across the county. We’re keen to include a package of crossing improvements for several locations across Devon with a focus on creating safer routes to schools.

“More than 100,000 children in Devon have received Bikeability training since 2006, providing them with vital road safety skills, as well as improving their health and wellbeing, and we will be looking to support thousands more children to take part in Bikeability training and building their confidence. This funding enables us to keep investing in our active travel networks and making it easier for our Devon residents to choose walking or cycling for shorter distance journeys to school, work or for leisure.”

Minister for Local Transport Simon Lightwood said: “Walking and cycling is an affordable way to get around and is hugely beneficial for both mental and physical health. We’re making sure local authorities can deliver high-quality and easily accessible schemes for everyone. Investing in our national cycling and walking infrastructure is a key part our mission for growth and today’s investment will not only provide better connectivity, but boost local businesses, grow local economies and ease pressure on the NHS, helping us deliver our Plan for Change.”

National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said: “This funding will help make our towns, cities and villages happier, healthier and greener places to live.”

The Active Travel Funding allocations announced today have to be committed by March 2026 and schemes delivered by March 2027.