South Yorkshire’s Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA), supported by Sheffield City Council, has submitted a countywide bid for over £11.5m from the UK Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund.
Sheffield is aiming to receive a £3.5m share of this fund, to further transform the city’s transport network and encourage sustainable travel, as demonstrated through the Connecting Sheffield programme.
This bid follows the success of a previous application to the Active Travel Fund in November 2020 in which the Sheffield City Region MCA was awarded £5.46m for active travel schemes. The authority is currently in the process of delivering these schemes, including two active neighbourhoods, the Sheaf Valley Cycle Route and City Centre Bike Hub.
If successful, the new funding will help to deliver the next phase of the council’s aim to transform travel in Sheffield and make it possible for more people to choose sustainable transport options. According to the council, it will improve walking and cycling routes across the city and enhance existing routes.
The proposed schemes will be subject to public consultation, and the feedback received will help to inform the development of the routes identified. However, the programme will not just focus on the physical infrastructure required to travel sustainably but will also include wrap around support to businesses, residents and schools through behavioural change campaigns, such as cycle campaigns, events and training programmes.
A series of bike hire and business grants to help the transition to more non-motorised travel is also proposed, building on previous cycling schemes delivered in the city via the Sustainable Travel Access Fund, e-cargo bikes project and Capability Fund programme.
Councillor Douglas Johnson, executive member for climate change, environment and transport, Sheffield City Council, said: “We fully recognise that we are facing a climate emergency and that we need to strengthen our economic and social foundations in the short and long term.
“Our successful future will depend on investment in a safe, high-quality network for walking and cycling to ensure that our economic recovery is both sustainable and inclusive, aligned to our commitments to carbon reduction, promoting healthier lifestyles and the levelling up agenda.
“This may be cycling or walking to work or leisure and recreation, but it is these active travel schemes that will support our communities to flourish and ensure that inclusive mobility is seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. It’s hugely important for our city as it takes the next steps forward into its future, and I am hopeful that the application will be successful.”
