Investment in Active Travel Initiatives by Greater Manchester's Bee Network

Greater Manchester has set its sights on 2025 as a pivotal year in its mission to reduce the reliance on private vehicles and promote the use of public and active travel options. This ambitious strategy, central to the region's transport ambitions, places walking, wheeling, and cycling at the forefront.

According to recent announcements, over £20.7 million will be allocated to support walking, wheelchair-accessible, and cycling initiatives in the region. This funding will be directed towards active travel infrastructure improvements, with a significant focus on making the city-region more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly.

The Bee Network program, a key part of this initiative, aims to deliver a fully integrated public transport and active travel system. The program anticipates building 176 kilometres of segregated walking, wheeling, and cycling routes by 2027. This includes the development of new active travel projects in line with Bee Network standards, for which £2.2 million has been allocated for local authorities.

To encourage active travel, £1.5 million will be allocated for cycle hire, including the addition of new e-bikes and the extension of the Starling Bank Bike hire contract to 2028. Furthermore, £1.7 million will support community-led schemes such as bike libraries, 'walk to school' projects, and cycle training.

Improvements to active travel infrastructure will also receive substantial investment. £8.6 million will be allocated for resurfaced pavements, upgraded junctions, new crossings, bus stop improvements, and traffic management works. £2 million will be dedicated to Bee Network crossings, particularly around schools, and £2 million will be used for School Streets infrastructure, including dropped kerbs, improved pavements, and safer traffic arrangements.

Additionally, £1.1 million is set aside for remedial works and updates to existing active travel routes, enhancing accessibility for people with mobility needs. An additional £500,000 has been approved for secure cycle parking facilities and improved signage on active travel routes.

The latest funding approval aims to upgrade more pavements, cycle routes, and crossings, as well as further develop the Bee Network program across Greater Manchester. These transport developments and strategies are located in the United Kingdom.

While the specifics of who approved the budget remain undisclosed, it is clear that Greater Manchester is committed to making active travel a viable and attractive option for its residents. According to TfGM data, walking, wheeling, and cycling remain significant modes of transport in the city-region, often serving as the first or last part of a journey.

In 2023, around one-third of all trips in the city-region were made using active modes, with the proportion of short journeys taken on foot increasing from 52% to 57%. Car use for short trips has decreased from 41% to 36% over the past five years in Greater Manchester, indicating a shift towards more sustainable and active travel options.

This investment in active travel and public transport is a step towards creating a more sustainable, healthier, and connected Greater Manchester.