Active Travel Budget Cuts Catastrophic for Health

As a physical activity charity working in deprived areas, we at Together Active are deeply concerned about the recent government decision to cut the active travel budget. This move will have a significant impact on our work to promote and encourage walking and cycling in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the country.

According to the news reports, the government has reduced the active travel budget to £100 million, representing a spending cut of £380m.This decision comes at a time when we are seeing a surge in demand for active travel options, particularly in urban areas where there is a growing awareness of the health and environmental benefits of walking and cycling.

At Together Active, we have been working hard to promote active travel in deprived areas, where people are more likely to suffer from health problems related to inactivity. We‘re passionate the transformative effects of encouraging active travel, for both communities and the environment. Most recently, this sees us working with the recently announced Green Social Prescribing programme in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

However, these gains are now at risk due to the government’s decision to cut funding for active travel. As a result, we are likely to see a decline in active travel infrastructure, including the development of cycle lanes and pedestrian walkways, as well as a reduction in programmes aimed at encouraging people to adopt active travel habits.

This is particularly concerning for us as a charity, as we work primarily in deprived areas where people often face barriers to accessing alternative modes of transport. Without proper funding, it will be difficult to address these issues and to ensure that everyone has equal access to active travel options.

We welcome the response from organisations such as Sustrans, who have spoken out against these cuts and called for greater investment in active travel. We believe that the government must reconsider its decision and commit to providing the necessary funding to support active travel initiatives across the country.

We are also disappointed to see that Stoke-on-Trent has missed out on its share of funding for active travel, despite being one of the areas in greatest need. This further highlights the need for a fair and equitable distribution of resources, to ensure that all communities have access to the benefits of active travel.

We urge the government to reconsider its decision to cut funding for active travel. We believe that investment in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is essential to promote healthy and sustainable transport options for all, and to reduce health inequalities across the area. We call on the government to listen to the voices of those who are working on the ground to promote active travel and to provide the necessary support to enable us to continue our important work.

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