Norfolk set to receive £657,388 to improve active travel schemes across the county

Norfolk County Council has been successful in securing £657,388 funding from Active Travel England to support the improvement of active travel options across the County. The money comes from the Active Travel Capability Fund of £32.9 million which expects to see millions shake up the way they travel. The investment is to help local authorities in England design, develop and consult on high-quality active travel schemes.

Cllr Lana Hempsall, Member Champion for Sustainable Transport, said: "This funding is very welcome and will help boost the numbers of people choosing to leave the car at home and travel in ways that are more affordable and sustainable - which is vital in us achieving our ambitious net-zero targets. By working with local communities to help shape future active travel schemes we can ensure that we are developing the right solutions in the right locations to maximise the uptake of active travel which in addition to improving the air quality for everyone will also improve the health and wellbeing of those able to walk, cycle or wheel more often."

The funding received is the full amount that the County Council requested in a bid submitted in September. The bid outlined that Norfolk would use the money on active travel projects to enable more people to walk, wheel and cycle.

Projects include:

• Engaging with schools and workplaces to make walking and cycling the first choice for more people.
• Community cycle clubs which aim to enable and motivate people to change the way they travel.
• Grants for e-bikes and e-cargo bikes to encourage more uptake of sustainable travel options.

Part of the funding is also intended to raise the capability of local authorities across England. This part of the funding will be spent on the following:

• Norfolk County Council staff will receive the most up to date active travel training.
• Traffic modelling and data collection will be carried out to to inform future active travel schemes.
• Public engagement will be carried out to help shape active travel information and campaigns.
• Taking outline Active Travel schemes from the Norfolk LCWIP (Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan) forwards to the detailed design stage.

Active Travel Minister Jesse Norman said: "Norfolk will benefit from a boost to active travel which is an easy way to get fit, save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Skills training and local community engagement will help deliver improvements that have widespread local support and make active travel an attractive choice for getting around."