Funding to develop safer routes to walk to school

A £200 million fund to improve crossings and junctions to support walking and cycling has been launched.

Active Travel England is inviting local authorities in England to apply for funding to encourage active travel, which could include developing safer routes for children to walk to school.

With less than half of children aged 5 to 16 walking or cycling to school, this investment aims to boost uptake. The government’s objective is to enable 55% of all primary school children to walk to school by 2025.

Projects will be designed in consultation with residents and businesses to ensure schemes are safe and work for local communities. The successful projects will be announced later this year. Guidance has been created to help local authorities develop active travel schemes that are well-designed and completed to a high standard.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: "This £200 million investment for hundreds of upgraded routes and paths across the country will help to reduce emissions, boost local economies and create jobs.

"These new schemes will make it safer for children to walk to school and will better connect rural communities, helping more people choose active travel as an affordable and healthy way to get around."