Wiltshire Council bids for Government funding for new walking and cycling routes

Saturday, 18 March 2023 00:00

Wiltshire Council has submitted a bid to Active Travel England (ATE) for funds to support walking and wheeling routes in the county.

ATE looks to fund active travel infrastructure that promotes walking, wheeling and cycling as an alternative to taking the car.

The bid is part of ATE’s Active Travel Fund Tranche 4 (ATF4), focusing on walking and wheeling rather than cycling, which was the main focus in previous tranches.

ATE had indicated a funding allocation of £878,366 for Wiltshire, and the bid’s proposed schemes had to meet a minimum assessment threshold to ensure they promote and encourage walking and wheeling. In addition, ATE encouraged bids for the construction of projects during 2023/24, although the design and development of new facilities will be considered.

Local authorities with high-quality schemes ready for construction were also encouraged to bid for more than their allocation, with the potential to secure funding for schemes above the indicative funding allocation. Wiltshire Council has done this, recognising that it will compete with all other local authorities and these schemes will be subjected to a more stringent assessment.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We have committed to increasing walking and cycling in our Business Plan, and that’s why we’re applying for this funding.

“The three priority schemes in our bid have been identified in our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs); they represent high value for money and are deliverable in the forthcoming financial year.

“Ideally, we also want to fund other routes, so additional schemes have been included for consideration in the competitive process.

“All the proposed schemes meet the strict criteria required to receive funding, so we are hopeful of hearing some positive news on these plans.

“When people choose to walk, wheel or cycle rather than take the car, they can save money, improve their health and wellbeing, and also help to reduce carbon emissions, and that’s why we’re committed to active travel in Wiltshire.”

The three priority schemes included to meet the indicative funding allocation are:

Pedestrian footbridge, Salisbury River Park, £458,000 Pedestrian crossing, Churchfields Road, Salisbury, £100,000 Devizes Road, Hilperton to the A361/Elizabeth Way Roundabout, £320,000

Other lower-priority schemes local to us include:

Countess Road in Amesbury Salisbury River Park future phases - Town Path and Ashley Road to Central Car Park link Longhedge to Salisbury Wilton to Salisbury