England Mayors Pledge National 3,500-Mile Active Travel Network

A coalition of eleven to twelve of England’s Combined Authority Mayors, backed by the government and supported by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, has pledged to create a national active travel network launching in autumn 2025. The initiative aims to develop an initial 3,500 miles of safer walking, wheeling, and cycling routes connecting homes to schools, high streets, and public transport hubs, with a focus on areas suffering from poor health and air quality to reduce inequalities. The project will prioritize safer routes to schools, targeting around 1,000 schools and creating 300 safer routes using measures like traffic calming, new crossings, and School Streets. This network is expected to help more than 20 million residents meet recommended physical activity levels, reducing risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and depression, while easing pressure on the NHS and supporting local economic growth under the government’s Plan for Change. The coalition includes Labour, Conservative, and Reform UK mayors, reflecting broad political support for active travel improvements. Regional leaders like Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram have pledged to contribute significant local networks, emphasizing benefits for health, environment, and community connectivity.