West Yorkshire secures £17m to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure, focusing on paths, crossings and cycle lanes.
The funds’ exact uses locally are still undecided. They might upgrade canal paths and school crossings. Traffic management and cycle lanes could also be improved. West Yorkshire gets £12.86 million for 2025-26, and £4.21 million is for 2024-25.
Previous funding rounds are already in use, improving the Silsden to Kildwick towpath. They also improve the Spen Valley Greenway for walking and cycling.
Active Travel England (ATE) recognized the area, saying it was a leading region for active travel. This assessment was part of their capability ratings.
West Yorkshire is improving walking, cycling, and wheeling, and the new funding should expand on this work. An integrated transport network is the goal for West Yorkshire, where active travel is key to this network.
Active travel promotes healthier lives and improves safety for locals. Active travel should also help tackle the climate emergency. One major Bradford scheme seeks more funding.
The West Bradford Cycle Superhighway currently faces cuts. Original plans included a cycleway to Thornton. However, rising costs meant scaling back the plan, where Phase 1 goes from the city center to Cemetery Road.
The Combined Authority stated further funding is needed before Phase 2 construction can begin. Phase 2 would complete the link to Thornton.
The National Active Travel Commissioner spoke, saying that active travel improves health, helps improve the economy, and can also aid our net zero goal.
Walking and cycling are common in Europe, providing free exercise and zero emissions. There is no risk of getting stuck in traffic. We should have the same beneficial choices too.
Nationally, ATE includes more funding. £30 million helps provide cycle training to children, and £30 million goes to Sustrans for network improvements, to improve the National Cycle Network with this.