Funding of £626m has been allocated to councils to support the delivery of new walking, wheeling and cycling schemes.

The multi-year investment from Government agency Active Travel England (ATE) is designed to boost street safety, promote greener transport methods, and establish healthier communities.

According to the Government, the funding will enable councils to provide 500 miles of new and improved walking, wheeling and cycling routes, and support the delivery of 170,000 ‘greener, more active trips’ each day.

To help distribute the funding, councils have been assessed based on capability ratings, which refers to the ‘ability to organise, plan and deliver walking, wheeling and cycling schemes’.

In a statement yesterday, ATE revealed that councils with higher ratings will be given a greater share of the funding, whereas lower-rated local authorities will receive additional support and training to help them provide schemes that are ‘more ambitious’.

‘This approach ensures that provision for walking, wheeling and cycling is increasingly high quality, connected and safe across the country’, the statement explains.

Since 2024, the following nine councils have improved their capability ratings by 10%: Bournemouth and Poole, Cheshire East, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Milton Keynes, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, South Yorkshire and West of England.

While Tees Valley has seen its rating reduce, ATE has confirmed that the council will benefit from ‘targeted support’ to ensure progress is made.

Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: ‘This £626m investment demonstrates our clear commitment to making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more accessible for everyone. By backing councils with the funding and support they need, we are helping to create healthier communities, safer streets and greener local transport choices.

‘It is especially encouraging to see nine councils improve their capability rating this year, reflecting real progress and dedication across the country.’

National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, added: ‘We are not just building infrastructure — together, we are creating communities: places where parents feel confident letting children travel independently, and where older people can reach local shops with ease. We are building life back into our streets.’