Buckinghamshire Council secures £477k funding for active travel projects
Buckinghamshire Council has been awarded £477,199 through Active Travel England's Active Travel Fund 4. This funding will contribute to the improvement of active travel infrastructure in High Wycombe and Buckingham town centre, enhancing connectivity and access for residents in these areas.
The funding from Active Travel Fund 4 aims to support local authorities to develop and deliver active travel infrastructure schemes that meet the defined fund criteria. Active travel schemes aim to encourage residents to undertake everyday local journeys by active modes, including walking, cycling and wheeling.
Increasing active travel can help to:
- reduce congestion
- improve air quality
- improve community cohesion
- boost public health
- support local economies
Most of Buckinghamshire's funding has been allocated to the Keep Hill Woods project in High Wycombe. This project, which is part of the draft High Wycombe Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), will receive partial funding from local development sites. Its objective is to create a surfaced path through the woodland and establish a crossing point, connecting new development sites with The Rye and the town centre. The project will be designed in a way that is sensitive to the woodland environment.
In addition, a portion of the funding will be dedicated to developing design proposals for active travel improvements in Buckingham town centre. These proposals align with the Buckingham Transport Strategy, which recommends enhancements to the active travel network in Buckingham and its connections to surrounding settlements. The project will involve collaboration with local stakeholders to explore ways in which the town centre can be integrated into this network. The resulting proposals will be used to seek future funding or to inform the allocation of developer contributions.
Steven Broadbent, Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Transport, commented:
"We are pleased to have secured this funding from Active Travel England. This investment will significantly improve active travel infrastructure and connectivity in both High Wycombe and Buckingham town centre, promoting sustainable modes of transport for our residents. Additionally, it will contribute to improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions.
"We are committed to building a more sustainable future for the county, and this funding will support our ongoing efforts in promoting active travel."