Active Travel – Active England: the third cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS3)
The UK government has launched the third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3), a multi-year plan backed by £4.5 billion in funding to transform active travel across England. According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the strategy aims to ensure that by 2035, 55% of all short trips in towns and cities are completed by walking or cycling, effectively integrating these modes into the broader national transport network.
Research cited in the strategy indicates that individuals who walk to the high street visit twice as frequently and spend up to 40% more than those who arrive by car.
Objectives for 2035
The government has set specific, measurable goals to be achieved over the next decade. By 2035, the DfT aims for 60% of children aged 5 to 16 to walk or cycle to school, supported by a new national “safe routes to school” programme. These targets are intended to alleviate pressure on the NHS, with the government estimating that increased physical activity could save the health service approximately £10.5 billion annually.
Funding and Local Implementation
The strategy allocates £4.555 billion in total investment for the 2025–2030 period. Active Travel England (ATE) will manage £1.107 billion of this, with the remaining £3.448 billion sourced from various DfT and cross-departmental streams, including the Pride in Place programme and city region sustainable transport settlements. Local authorities are expected to use this funding to build coherent, phased networks, though they retain flexibility to align these investments with other local transport priorities.
Samantha Carter notes that the move toward a “locally-designed” national strategy represents a significant shift from previous top-down models. By empowering mayoral strategic authorities and providing long-term funding certainty, the strategy attempts to reverse the capacity issues caused by earlier budget cuts. The success of this model likely hinges on how effectively local leaders can integrate active travel into broader housing and economic growth plans.
What Happens Next
In the short term, the government plans to address immediate barriers to active travel. By 2026, new regulations will make the “unnecessary obstruction of the pavement” civilly enforceable, allowing local authorities to tackle pavement parking more effectively. Additionally, a £10 million Streets Innovation Fund will be launched to support trials of measures such as side-road zebra crossings. By 2030, the government expects to have a fully mapped, national active travel network accessible through digital route-planning platforms, mirroring the navigation systems currently available to motorists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the CWIS3?
The strategy aims to make walking, wheeling, and cycling safe, easy, and accessible options for everyone, with a target of 55% of all short trips in towns and cities being made via active travel by 2035.
How will the government address safety concerns?
Safety is a core objective, with plans to align with a broader road safety strategy that targets a 65% reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on British roads by 2035, and 70% for children under 16. This includes updated design guidance and safer infrastructure for schools.
What role does Active Travel England (ATE) play?
ATE acts as an executive agency and delivery partner. It provides oversight, administers devolved funding, and supports local authorities in building high-quality, coherent networks that connect homes, schools, and transport hubs.
How will these changes affect your daily commute or school run in the coming years?