Active Travel England

Active Travel England

Abbreviation	ATE
Formation	Announced 28 July 2020;4 years ago (2020-07-28)
Founded at	York [1]
Type	Executive agency
Purpose	Promoting walking and cycling in England
Active Travel Commissioner for England	Chris Boardman
Chief Executive	Danny Williams
Parent organisation	Department for Transport
Website	https://www.activetravelengland.gov.uk/

Active Travel England (ATE) is the executive agency responsible for active travel in England and is part of the UK Department for Transport. ^[2] The organisation is an inspectorate and funding body led by Chris Boardman, the first Active Travel Commissioner for England. ^[3]

Background

On 28 July 2020, the Government of the United Kingdom announced the establishment of Active Travel England as part of a new cycling and walking plan called Gear Change: A bold vision for cycling and walking. ^[4]

Functions

The functions of the organisation are: ^[4]

• Enforcement of new cycling design guidance by local authorities
• Provide advice to improve scheme design, implementation and stakeholder management
• Statutory consultee for planning applications for all developments of over a certain (as yet unknown) threshold
• Consider applications for funding from the cycling budget (£2bn initially)
• Publish annual reports on highway authorities, grading them on their performance on active travel

Funding and effectiveness

The DfT released £250 million in May 2020 and £175 million in November 2020 to fund active travel infrastructure schemes. ^[5] It was reviewed by the National Audit Office in 2023. ^[6]

See also

• National Cycle Network
• Cycling England

References

1. York Press https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/19865997.active-travel-england-will-based-york-bringing-scores-jobs/
2. "PM kickstarts £2bn cycling and walking revolution". GOV.UK (Press release). 28 July 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
3. "Olympic gold medallist and cyclist Chris Boardman to lead government's new active travel body". GOV.UK. Department for Transport. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
4. Cycling and walking plan for England. GOV.UK (Report). Department for Transport. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
5. "£175 million more for cycling and walking as research shows public support". GOV.UK. Department for Transport. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
6. "Active Travel in England - NAO report". National Audit Office (NAO). 7 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2024.