Funding boost for active travel

By Press Release Nov 1, 2021

Island projects encouraging green travel will receive a £175,662 government investment boost.

The Isle of Wight Council successfully received a share of the £30 million for English transport authorities, after a bid was made to the Department of Transport Capability Fund in spring. It will be used to support existing council and partnership projects over the next year to further encourage walking and cycling.

Council leader, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, said: “For the past ten years the council has successfully bid for active travel funding. It has meant we have been able to build very strong partnerships between organisations and businesses. It has also seen residents really come on board with the active travel message.

“This further underlines the acknowledgment, by the Department for Transport, of our aim of reducing carbon emissions through greener travel options. This also links into our wider target through our Mission Zero climate and environment strategy, which aims to see the Island carbon-neutral by 2040 — ten years before the government target.”

Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, Cllr Phil Jordan, said: “This welcome funding will let us further strengthen and continue our cycling, walking and green travel projects.

“Our sustainable transport programme makes a real difference to Islanders lives by reducing harmful carbon emissions. It helps to remove barriers to work and gives people attractive alternatives to car use.”