Posted on Thursday 13th February 2025
New pedestrian and cycling projects in Staffordshire will get off the ground in the coming months following a £2.3million funding boost announced this week.
Staffordshire County Council will receive a total of £2,306,977 from a government and Active Travel England funding package.
The fund aims to increase walking and cycling through new routes and lanes across the country along with improved crossings and junctions. It will also help to provide cycle safety training for children. Better infrastructure will support more walk to school journeys for children and parents, helping to improve health and air quality.
Of the Staffordshire funding, over half-a-million pounds will enable the delivery of some schemes from April this year, with a pipeline of new schemes being planned and developed for delivery in 2026/7. This will involve consultation with local communities, schools and businesses.
Schemes delivered in the next financial year include pedestrian crossings in St Edward’s Street, Leek and Lower Milehouse Lane in Newcastle, as well as cycle parking improvements around the county.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways Mark Deaville said:
It’s a priority to us to support our communities by developing walking and cycling networks across Staffordshire to improve safety, increase health and wellbeing, improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion.
The Active Travel Fund and government package will enable us to plan and deliver a range of schemes across the county, working closely with schools and the wider community.
We look forward to progressing the first planned projects as soon as possible.”
National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said:
Making it simple and safe to walk, wheel or cycle to schools, shops and workplaces is one of the most effective actions we can take to improve the nation’s health, economy and get to net zero, all in one. This funding will help make our towns, cities and villages happier, healthier and greener places to live.”