New Million Investment to Enhance Walking, Cycling, and Wheeling Routes in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, UK

Published on February 15, 2025

A significant boost of £6.5 million has been allocated to improve active travel infrastructure across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, making walking, wheeling, and cycling more accessible and safer for residents and visitors. The funding, awarded by Active Travel England, will enable the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, in collaboration with Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, to develop, upgrade, and expand vital travel routes across the region.

This initiative aligns with broader efforts to create safer, greener, and more sustainable travel options. The enhancements will not only encourage active travel but also improve public health, reduce congestion, and contribute to lower carbon emissions.

First Phase of Funding: Improving Everyday Travel Routes

In December 2024, an initial £1.6 million was granted under Active Travel Fund 5 to support improvements that will be implemented within the next two years. The first phase of projects is designed to make daily commutes and leisure travel more enjoyable and practical by:

• Removing barriers on walkways and cycle paths, allowing people to move more freely and comfortably.
• Expanding footpaths and creating safer school routes, ensuring children can walk or cycle to school away from traffic hazards.
• Upgrading solar lighting on pathways, enhancing visibility and providing a safer experience for both daytime and nighttime travelers.
• Improving crossings at side roads and roundabouts, making it easier and safer for walkers, wheelers, and cyclists to navigate urban areas.

These upgrades are particularly beneficial for people who prefer active travel options for their daily commutes or leisure activities, reducing dependence on cars and promoting a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Second Phase: Delivering High-Quality Active Travel Infrastructure

Following the success of the initial funding, an additional £4.9 million was awarded in February 2025 to support the development of high-quality walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure. This phase focuses on:

• Safer walking routes – Encouraging adults and families to integrate walking into their daily routines while ensuring a more enjoyable and secure environment.
• Better accessibility for wheelers – Enhancing routes for individuals using wheelchairs, prams, buggies, scooters, cargo bikes, and mobility aids, making active travel more inclusive.
• Improved cycling safety – Establishing dedicated cycling lanes and clearer paths, enabling people to cycle with greater confidence.

This investment will create a more connected and accessible transport network, allowing both residents and visitors to explore Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with ease.

Leaders Welcome the Funding as a Transformational Step for the Region

Local leaders have hailed the funding as a landmark step in developing a modern, sustainable, and people-friendly transport system.

Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, emphasized the importance of active travel in enhancing public health, reducing congestion, and improving air quality:

“When I first came into post, I pledged to elevate the region’s active travel profile both locally and nationally. This funding strengthens our ability to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for people to choose how they travel shorter distances.

This investment is fantastic news for our region and a real improvement for those who walk, wheel, or cycle. Among all Combined Authorities, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have received the highest per capita funding, reflecting a strong vote of confidence from the government.

Not only will these improvements boost health and wellbeing, but they will also ease congestion and cut air pollution, making Cambridgeshire and Peterborough a greener, healthier, and more resilient region. I am delighted to see these developments being implemented swiftly so that residents can experience the benefits as soon as possible.”

Expanding Active Travel Options Across Cambridgeshire

Cllr Alex Beckett, Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, expressed his enthusiasm for the funding, highlighting its role in supporting an already ambitious active travel strategy:

“This additional funding from Active Travel England is a major step forward for Cambridgeshire. It will enable us to deliver even more active travel schemes, on top of the 17 projects we have already completed in the past two years.

Active travel remains a top priority for the county, forming an essential part of our vision to ‘create a greener, fairer, and more caring Cambridgeshire.’ Ensuring that travel within the region is safer and more sustainable is at the heart of our ambitions.

By expanding travel choices and encouraging people to leave their cars at home, we can all benefit from safer streets, stronger community interactions, cleaner air, and improved public health.”

Peterborough’s Commitment to Active Travel Expansion

Cllr Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Peterborough City Council, also welcomed the funding as a game-changer for the city’s mobility plans:

“This funding is fantastic news for Peterborough. It will support the completion of our new Thorpe Road cycle route design.

By choosing to walk, wheel, or cycle, residents are enhancing their mental and physical wellbeing while also helping to improve air quality in our communities. In turn, this shift towards active travel will play a key role in reducing road congestion and supporting sustainability goals.”

How the Funding Supports Long-Term Active Travel Plans

Since 2020, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, in collaboration with Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, has been working on significant infrastructure upgrades to promote cycling and walking-friendly environments.

These efforts align with the broader vision of making active travel the go-to choice for short and medium-distance journeys. By enhancing the region’s walking, cycling, and wheeling networks, these projects will help transform the urban and rural mobility landscape.

Why This Investment Matters for Travelers and Residents

This £6.5 million investment is set to make Cambridgeshire and Peterborough a model for active travel in the UK. Visitors and residents alike will benefit from:

✅ Improved accessibility – Whether walking, wheeling, or cycling, travelers will experience better connectivity and smoother routes.
✅ Safer and cleaner travel – Dedicated infrastructure will reduce road congestion and contribute to lower carbon emissions.
✅ Enhanced outdoor experiences – Whether for commuting, exercise, or leisure, people will find more enjoyable and user-friendly routes across the region.

With these developments, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are paving the way for a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future, ensuring that active travel is both practical and enjoyable for all.