Eleven of England’s Combined Authority Mayors have signed an ambitious joint statement pledging a national active travel network.
The Mayors met with National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, and the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, in York to announce the plans.
Launching in Autumn 2025, the programme will begin with Mayoral Combined Authorities agreeing an initial network of 3,500 miles of safer routes connecting housing to schools and high streets, targeting areas where health and air quality are poorest, helping to reduce stark health inequalities.
This will help more of their regions’ 20 million residents meet recommended activity levels, reducing risks of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression while easing pressure on the NHS and boosting growth. The new routes and projects will focus on prevention rather than cure, by building health and wellbeing into everyday activities.
The multi-region project will begin work in around 1,000 schools, creating 300 safer routes for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said:
“Our regional leaders have today marked the start of an exciting chapter, by pledging to give people across the country more transport choice. We know that more walking, wheeling and cycling will improve our countries mental and physical health, but it will do much more; it’s the foundation for thriving integrated public transport networks, it increases access to work, boosting local economic growth and it will give millions of children more independence.
“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 Government is backing them. It’s going to have a hugely positive impact on millions of people’s daily lives.”
The Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said:
“I know I am one of many who enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that come with walking or cycling to work or school.
“That’s why this Government is investing £616m over the next four years, on top of £300m 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.
“It is a key part of our Plan for Change, boosting local businesses, growing local economies and easing pressure on the NHS.”
The initiative comes as recent research shows one in six early deaths could be prevented with regular moderate exercise. Meanwhile, a study from 2023/24 found that, in England, 35.8% of year 6 children were overweight or living with obesity, with 22.1% living with obesity.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said:
“Increasing physical activity has health benefits across the life course. As part of this, we need to make walking and cycling more accessible, and safer, as well as access to green space easier and more equitable. This will help remove barriers to improving physical activity levels and could significantly improve the health of England’s increasingly urban population.”
“The first wave of improving active travel routes to schools will include the delivery of proven and popular schemes, including school streets, traffic calming measures, new crossings and better pavements, clear of obstructions.
“Regional mayors will lead local implementation with interventions tailored to their communities’ needs and develop programmes to enable more active travel, such as walking and cycling buses for children.
“The programme will be delivered using regional resources with additional targeted investment from Active Travel England, improving efficiency by combining separate funding streams in a mission-led approach.”
