Yorkshire doubles down on active travel

The York and North Yorkshire Combined authority has approved plans for a new active travel commissioner, who will oversee a boost in spending.

The authority has approved Mayor David Skaith's £4m Active Travel fund – doubling the money available for new initiatives.

The new fund is planned to be accompanied by recruitment of an active travel commissioner to oversee the cash.

To gain access to this fund, groups across York and North Yorkshire – including town and parish councils, community organisations, businesses, charities, North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council – must submit bids outlining how they will encourage more active travel.

Mr Skaith said: ‘We recently boosted existing projects with £20m. Now we are recruiting a dedicated Active Travel Commissioner and we’re doubling the funding available for new initiatives.

‘We’re open to ideas that work for all our communities, and this significant £4 million fund can support everything from secure cycle parking to school streets programmes and more.

‘Given the rural nature of much of our region, we really want to enable schemes that promote active travel in rural villages and market towns, as well as in urban areas.’

Image credit: Shutterstock @Alexey Fedorenko