Mayor launches fund for healthier, greener travel

A new initiative will encourage healthier, greener travel in North Yorkshire next year.

The mayor’s Active Travel Fund, approved by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, will support community groups, charities and businesses to deliver projects promoting walking, cycling and other forms of active travel. 

Public bodies, including National Parks, Canal and River Trust, as well as local authorities, can access a dedicated £2.4 million pot for larger initiatives.

Officials say the fund aims to improve accessibility, safety and environmental outcomes while supporting physical and mental wellbeing. 

David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “I’ve spoken to countless communities and the message I’ve had is clear – people want us to go further and faster to create safer streets so that people are more confident to walk, wheel and cycle in York and North Yorkshire.

“There is great work already ongoing in York and North Yorkshire, which are being supported by our local authorities, and this fund is designed to support us all to improve our Active Travel England scores and improve our capacity to secure increased funding to deliver more for our communities.

“I am a firm believer that our residents know what is best for their neighbourhood, they live there and they should have a say in shaping what their area looks like. 

“We're now able to empower local people to make their communities better places for walking, wheeling and cycling. 

“Whether that’s by backing school streets, bikeability courses, safe cycle storage in our town and city centres, or by creating local Active Travel Hubs.”

Mayor Skaith added, “This is a core part of my Moving Forward campaign, which will support healthy and thriving communities by investing now we're helping people move more, whether for fun or travel, and supporting health outcomes in the long run. 

“Because when people are healthier, communities are wealthier.”

Applications for the programme are expected to open in January 2026.

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