The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has published a framework document for Active Travel England (ATE), the executive government agency established to promote walking and cycling.
The document outlines the body’s responsibilities and goals, as well as its relationship with the DfT and Parliament.
ATE is part of a national agenda to have half of all journeys in UK towns and cities completed by walking or cycling by 2030.
The organisation will hold the active travel budget for England, which includes funding for infrastructure and behaviour-focused initiatives, such as cycling training. It will also assess bids for active travel funding.
The government agency is expected to collaborate with councils to deliver schemes and knowledge sharing. It will likewise conduct and publish reports on highway authorities’ performance on active travel initiatives, affording it a role similar to Ofsted.
ATE is also intended to act as a statutory consultee in planning and reviewing active travel applications.
Ministers at the DfT will have responsibility for the agency, though it will reportedly retain some operational independence.
Its board will be chaired by national active travel commissioner, Chris Boardman.
The framework document will come into effect when ATE is formally established as an executive agency later in 2022 and will be reviewed in 2023.
