West Yorkshire has been awarded over £17 million to improve walking and cycling routes in the region.
The Government has announced a £291m national pot for “active travel” – with Yorkshire getting just over £29m of this.
And of that, West Yorkshire will get the bulk of the funding, with £17.07m allocated to West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Although details of where the funding will be spent locally have yet to be decided, projects could include upgrading canal towpaths, school crossings, traffic management, and cycle lanes.
A total of £12.86 million has been awarded to West Yorkshire for 2025-26 by Active Travel England (ATE) with £4.21 million allocated for 2024-25.
It follows previous rounds of funding which are already being used for schemes like improving the Silsden to Kildwick towpath and walking and cycling improvements to the Spen Valley Greenway.
The investment comes after the Combined Authority was recognised as one of the leading regions in the country for walking, cycling and wheeling by ATE as part of its ‘capability ratings’ assessment.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “We’re already making great progress in improving walking, cycling, and wheeling in the region, and this funding will help us do even more.
“Active travel plays a key role in my plans for an integrated transport network across a better-connected West Yorkshire.
“By making it easier and more appealing to get around more actively, we’re promoting healthier lifestyles, improving safety and helping to tackle the climate emergency.”
Although funding has yet to be allocated, one major Bradford active travel scheme has been seeking further funding.
The West Bradford Cycle Superhighway currently being built has been scaled back from its original plans.
Originally the scheme would create a segregated cycleway running from the city centre to Thornton. But rising costs of other active travel schemes meant this had to be scaled back.
Phase 1 – from the city centre to the Cemetery Road junction – is under construction.
But West Yorkshire Combined Authority has said further funding would need to be identified before Phase 2 – completing the link to Thornton, could be built.
Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner, said: “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.
“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.”
Nationally the Active Travel England announcement includes a further £30million to provide Bikeability cycle training to children and £30million to the Sustrans charity to deliver improvements to the National Cycle Network.
By: Chris Young, LDRS
