Mayors back active travel routes near schools

Twelve combined authority mayors have signed a joint statement pledging to create a national active travel network, many of which will be around schools.

Signatories include West Yorkshire’s Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire’s Oliver Coppard, York and North Yorkshire’s David Skaith, Hull and East Yorkshire’s Luke Campbell, the North East’s Kim McGuinness, the West of England’s Helen Godwin and the East Midlands’ Claire Ward. They met with National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, and the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, in York to kickstart the plans.

Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotherham, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Mayor Paul Bristow have also signed the pledge.

Mayoral combined authorities will agree an initial network of 3,500 miles of safer routes connecting housing to schools and high streets and targeting areas where health and air quality are poorest, with the aim of reducing health inequalities.

It is hoped that this will help residents meet recommended activity levels, reduce risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression while supporting the government’s Plan for Change by easing pressure on the NHS and boosting growth. 

The project will begin work in around 1,000 schools, creating 300 safer routes for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: "Our regional leaders have today marked the start of an exciting chapter by pledging to give people across the country more transport choice.

"We know that more walking, wheeling and cycling will improve our country’s mental and physical health, but it will do much more, it’s the foundation for thriving integrated public transport networks, it increases access to work, boosting local economic growth and it will give millions of children more independence.

"People will only consider travelling actively if it is easy and safe. That’s what the mayors have today pledged to do and that’s why government is backing them. It’s going to have a hugely positive impact on millions of people’s daily lives."

The mayors have committed to Work with the Department for Transport, Active Travel England and local authorities to create a country-wide national walking, wheeling and cycling network, comprising local networks that are safe and easy to use. They have also pledged to transform the school run by delivering high-quality, safer routes in neighbourhoods and boost regional integrated transport networks by giving people easy walking, wheeling and cycling access to buses, trams and trains, which will link to new housing and support local economic growth.

Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said: "I know I am one of many who enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that come with walking or cycling to work or school.

"That’s why this government is investing £616 million over the next 4 years, on top of £300 million announced in February, to give more people around the country high-quality and healthy ways to get around, and supporting mayors’ plans to create a joined-up network.

"It is a key part of our Plan for Change, boosting local businesses, growing local economies and easing pressure on the NHS."

Research has shown that 1 in 6 early deaths could be prevented with regular moderate exercise. Another study from 2023 to 2024 found that, in England, 35.8% of year 6 children were overweight or living with obesity, with 22.1% living with obesity.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, said: "Increasing physical activity has health benefits across the life course. As part of this, we need to make walking and cycling more accessible and safer, as well as access to green space easier and more equitable.

"This will help remove barriers to improving physical activity levels and could significantly improve the health of England’s increasingly urban population."