The UK’s West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has announced a £21 million (US$25.32 million) funding package for active travel as part of a wider UK Government initiative.
The agency says the investment will deliver more cycle routes, junction upgrades, safer road crossings and support community projects to encourage more people to take up cycling and walking across the region.
“The West Midlands is making an unprecedented investment in new infrastructure and initiatives to support walking, wheeling, and cycling,” said West Midlands Active Travel Commissioner Beccy Marston.
“I am committed to working with colleagues on delivering Mayor Richard Parker’s ‘Journeys for Everyone’. This new funding will allow us to improve infrastructure whilst providing additional support for our incredible third-sector delivery heroes.”
Previous rounds of grants from the fund have been used on a wide range of projects including extending the cycle routes in south Birmingham and cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings on the Wolverhampton city centre ring road.
There has also been funding support for cycling classes, group walks and other community projects.
Wider investment
The funding is part of a wider £291 million package from Active Travel England for walking, wheeling and cycling across England.
The investment will fund 300 miles of new footpaths and cycle tracks across the country to encourage 30 million more cycling and walking journeys per year.
This includes 20 million new walk-to-school journeys by children and their parents, and the sum will also fund cycle training for hundreds of thousands of children across the country.
“Making it simple and safe to walk, wheel or cycle to schools, shops and workplaces is one of the most effective actions we can take to improve the nation’s health, economy and get to net zero, all in one,” said Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner.
“Free exercise, zero emissions and no risk of getting stuck in traffic are benefits already being enjoyed as standard by our European neighbours and it’s time we had the same life-improving choices.”
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