Active Travel Funding
Active travel funding is a government initiative to support walking, cycling and other active travel projects. Funding is available for infrastructure projects, and initiatives to encourage behaviour change and improve local authority capability.
It’s run by the Department for Transport (DfT) and its executive agency, Active Travel England (ATE). Active travel funding is also supported by charitable organisations that help specific groups, like disabled people.
The active travel fund (ATF) was launched in 2020 and has provided several rounds of funding to local transport authorities in England. Scotland and Wales have their own active travel funding programmes, administered by their own governments.
Initial funding was centred around temporary measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Later rounds supported the development and building of permanent walking and cycling infrastructure. So far there have been five rounds in total, with the most recent covering 2024-2025.
From 2025 onwards, previous funding streams will be replaced with the consolidated active travel fund. This is worth £168.5 million for the 2025-2026 round, with 76% allocated for infrastructure, and the remaining 24% for planning, design and engagement activities.
Pagabo and our pre-approved supply chain support local transport authorities in securing active travel funding. Together, we provide advice from bid submission right through to works implementation.
How does Pagabo help with active travel funding?
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Active travel fund bid writing
Active travel funding is competitive, and preparing bids is time-consuming. But alongside our framework partners, we know the system well. They help local transport authorities develop bids that win them the maximum amount of funding.
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Funding and project consultancy
Because demand for active travel funding is so high, it’s vital to demonstrate both feasibility and vision in your bid. Alongside our framework partners, we assess your existing provision and help you develop a new plan to give your bid the best chance of success. We support you through the whole project too, so you know you’re getting the best quality and value infrastructure.
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Eligible active travel funding projects
Active travel funding is available for projects focused on developing, constructing and improving infrastructure for walking, cycling or other active transportation. Projects fall into four main categories:
Infrastructure development and construction
These projects create new or improve existing physical infrastructure, including:
– Cycle lanes and tracks
– Pedestrian crossings and footways
– Wheeling routes accessible to people with disabilities
– Traffic calming and road safety measures to support active travel
– Schemes to integrate active travel with other modes of transport
Inclusive and accessible schemes
Projects to make sure active travel infrastructure works for everyone, including disabled people and disadvantaged groups. These should promote inclusivity and road safety.
Behaviour change and community engagement
These projects encourage active travel through education, training and community involvement. They’re focused on changing how people think about travel rather than providing physical infrastructure.
Planning and design
Funding is available for initiatives like strategic planning, feasibility studies and design work to support active travel.
Supporting facilities
Projects to provide cycle parking, storage, lockers, and other facilities to encourage active travel are also viable.
Why choose procurement through Pagabo?
Expertise
Alongside our supply chain partners, Pagabo are active travel funding experts. Together we’ve been helping local transport authorities bid and implement funding for years. We have a highly-qualified team that includes expert economists and boasts a range of qualifications, including MCIPS, MRICS and NEC accreditations. We also offer flexible procurement frameworks with a wide range of pre-vetted suppliers. Our pre-approved framework partners help you write a winning funding bid, then we help you maximise its value.
Compliance
We’re a UK and PGR-compliant company, and all our frameworks are EU and UK compliant. Working with us helps you stay compliant through your active travel funding bidding and process.
Experience
Alongside our framework partners, we’ve been helping local transport authorities bid and procure better for years. And nine out of ten of our users would recommend us. We can give you the best chance of securing active travel funding.
Funding your project with a Pagabo framework
Key information for active travel funding
For 2025-2026 onwards, the active travel fund and capability fund have been superseded by the consolidated active travel fund.
There’s more information on the Active Travel England website.
