Blackburn with Darwen has been awarded £110,703 in funding from Active Travel England’s Capability and Ambition Fund for the 2024/25 financial year. This significant investment is a testament to the authority’s progress in promoting active travel and its commitment to creating a more sustainable and healthy environment for its residents. The funding announcement follows a self-assessment exercise submitted by the council in December 2023, which was moderated by Active Travel England.
The assessment revealed that Blackburn with Darwen has made substantial progress in its active travel initiatives, warranting an upgrade from a Level One authority to a Level Two authority. This achievement is all the more impressive, given that only eight authorities in total have had their rating increased this year. The upgrade is a recognition of the authority’s efforts to promote active travel and create a more sustainable transportation network.
The council has developed clear long-term plans for an emerging network of active travel infrastructure, including an adopted Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). Investment is ongoing in priority schemes, such as the south-east Blackburn area and links to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal corridor. These initiatives demonstrate the authority’s commitment to creating a comprehensive and connected network of active travel routes.
The production of a new Cycling and Walking Strategy will be crucial in securing future funding and achieving Level Three status. The strategy will update the 2021-24 document and provide a clear direction for the authority’s active travel initiatives. A “hearts and minds” approach will be essential in engaging local stakeholders, partnerships, and the community. Strong local leadership will be vital in driving this initiative forward and ensuring that the authority’s active travel initiatives are integrated into the broader transportation network.
The £110,703 allocation from the Active Travel Capability Fund 2024/25 will be spent on several key initiatives. Approximately £34,000 will be allocated to a bespoke active travel campaign programme, starting in March 2025 and running until 2026. This programme will aim to promote active travel and encourage residents to adopt more sustainable transportation options. The programme will be designed to engage local communities and promote the benefits of active travel.
Approximately £40,000 will be allocated to feasibility studies of priority LCWIP routes. These studies will help identify the most effective and efficient routes for active travel infrastructure and inform the development of the authority’s LCWIP. The studies will also help identify potential barriers to active travel and develop strategies to overcome these barriers.
Approximately £15,000 will be allocated to school routes audits. These audits will help identify the most effective and efficient routes for children to travel to school and inform the development of the authority’s school travel plans. The audits will also help identify potential barriers to active travel and develop strategies to overcome these barriers.
The remaining funds will be used for public engagement and data collection related work. This will include engaging with local communities and stakeholders to promote the authority’s active travel initiatives and collecting data on the effectiveness of these initiatives. The data will be used to inform the development of the authority’s active travel strategy and ensure that the initiatives are meeting their intended objectives.
The funding award from Active Travel England is a significant boost to Blackburn with Darwen’s active travel initiatives. The authority’s progress in promoting sustainable and healthy transportation options is evident, and this investment will help drive further progress in the years to come. The funding will help build the authority’s capability and technical skills, develop good quality local community engagement, and support new cycle and walking measures.
The authority’s active travel initiatives will have a range of benefits for residents, including improved health and wellbeing, reduced traffic congestion, and improved air quality. The initiatives will also help promote economic growth and development by providing access to employment and education opportunities.
The authority’s commitment to active travel is also reflected in its emerging network of active travel infrastructure. The network will provide residents with safe and convenient access to employment, education, and leisure opportunities. The network will also help promote sustainable transportation options and reduce the authority’s carbon footprint.
In conclusion, the funding award from Active Travel England is a significant investment in Blackburn with Darwen’s active travel initiatives. The authority’s progress in promoting sustainable and healthy transportation options is evident, and this investment will help drive further progress in the years to come. The funding will help build the authority’s capability and technical skills, develop good quality local community engagement, and support new cycle and walking measures.
The authority’s active travel initiatives will have a range of benefits for residents, including improved health and wellbeing, reduced traffic congestion, and improved air quality. The initiatives will also help promote economic growth and development by providing access to employment and education opportunities. The authority’s commitment to active travel is also reflected in its emerging network of active travel infrastructure, which will provide residents with safe and convenient access to employment, education, and leisure opportunities.