Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands has secured £21 million Government funding to deliver more active travel schemes in partnership with local councils.
This investment will deliver more cycle routes, junction upgrades, safer road crossings and support community projects to encourage more people to take up cycling and walking across the region.
The two allocations to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) were announced from the Government’s Active Travel Fund: A £5.2 million to cover activity this year and a £15.9 million allocation, the largest in the country, for 2025/26.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the WMCA, will now work with local councils to allocate the funding to specific projects to secure the greatest benefit from the investment.
Previous rounds of Active Travel Fund grants have been used on a wide range of projects including extending the A38 cycle route in south Birmingham and cycle lanes and safe pedestrian crossings on the Wolverhampton City Centre ring road. There has also been funding support for cycling classes, group walks and other community projects.
The health benefits of increasing journeys by cycling and walking can help ease pressure on the NHS and support businesses with fewer sick days and time off for employees.
Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“I’ve secured £21 million - the largest active travel funding allocation in the country - to make walking and cycling safer, easier, and more accessible for people across the West Midlands."
Too many people don’t have safe, convenient routes to get around. This investment will deliver more cycle lanes, safer road crossings, and better pathways, giving more people the choice to walk or cycle for everyday journeys. That’s good for people’s pockets, their health, and our environment."
West Midlands Active Travel Commissioner Beccy Marston added: “The West Midlands is making an unprecedented investment in new infrastructure and initiatives to support walking, wheeling, and cycling.
“I am committed to working with colleagues on delivering Mayor Richard Parker’s ‘Journeys for Everyone’. This new funding will allow us to improve infrastructure whilst providing additional support for our incredible third-sector delivery heroes.”
Image credit: Transport for the West Midlands
