Development
A recommendation on which schemes should progress to the next stage of development was made to BES Executive Members on 21 May 2021. See a copy of the recommendation report. See the decision record. In summary, three schemes are progressing through delivery:
- A59 (Maple Close, Harrogate to Knaresborough)
- Victoria Avenue, Harrogate
- Guisborough Road. Whitby
Oatlands Drive has been removed from the Active Travel Fund and will be progressed as a separate feasibility study; we are currently developing the brief and expect to commence work in autumn 2021.
Active Travel Fund Tranche 3
In Tranche 3 there is a total of £239m capital funding available to all local authorities across the UK. We have not been given an indicative allocation for this round of funding but authorities have been told to expect a similar level of funding to that received in 2020/2021. Our indicative allocation was £1,331,000 for tranches 1 and 2 combined. The funding announcement is expected in autumn and our allocation must be spent before March 2023.
To qualify for funding this year, authorities must commit to the following key principles:
- schemes must comply with LTN 1/20 cycling design standards
- scheme prioritisation should be linked to the development of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs)
- schemes must be developed in consultation with local communities
- all schemes must be supported by Local Authority leaders
Bids will be assessed in line with the following criteria, which will guide final allocations to authorities:
- propensity to convert short vehicle journeys into cycling and walking, resulting in carbon, air quality and congestion benefits
- tackling areas with poor health outcomes and with high levels of deprivation
- number of people that will benefit from the measures
- compliance with the key principles above
The schemes put forward to be funded are those that best fit the tranche 3 criteria. Tranche 3 funding can be used to support a range of scheme types and can also be used to support feasibility studies and scheme design as well as construction.
In tranche 2 of the ATF we received a large volume of requests for various improvements for pedestrians and cyclists from members of the public, county councillors and other interest groups. Officers have revisited these suggestions and assessed them against the tranche 3 criteria, however, a large number of schemes were immediately ruled out due to deliverability within the timescales of this funding or cost. The remaining schemes were then tested against the criteria outlined above.
Following the input from stakeholders and analysis of potential schemes against the tranche 3 criteria the following capital schemes have been identified as appropriate to take forward:
Scheme name |
Description |
Cost |
Kildwick to Silsden and Airedale |
Proposal to improve a 3km stretch of towpath (1km in Bradford, 2km in North Yorkshire / Craven) between Kildwick and Silsden. This funding will cover the construction of the North Yorkshire section.
This scheme is ready for construction subject to funding. The scheme would be led by Canals and Rivers Trust, using their project managers. The scheme will improve access to recreation for leisure and health purposes.
In Airedale, we will deliver enhancements to aid accessibility to the Kildwick to Silsden link. The improvements include improved connectivity from Cross Hills to the towpath (at Priest Bank Road), including the widening of the pedestrian underpass under the roundabout and the provision of ramped access onto the canal at Cononley Lane End / A629.
|
£800,000 +£100,000 |
Ripon West Sustainable Travel Corridors |
Delivery of features to reduce design speeds to encourage trips by active modes in the Clotherholme Road / Kirby Road area of Ripon. This scheme would have benefits for a number of schools in the area and also provide access to the town centre from residential areas and any future developments in the area. Measures could include footway-widening, provision of crossing facilities and traffic calming measures (including speed reduction). |
£550,000 |
Helmsley Marketplace to Kirkbymoorside |
Development funding to undertake feasibility work for a fully segregated foot/cycleway between Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside alongside the busy A170 to enhance access to employment and facilities for residents, tourists and workers. |
£50,000 |
Knaresborough to Flaxby Green Park Industrial Site |
Development funding to undertake feasibility work for a fully segregated foot/cycleway (approximately 7km long) between Knaresborough and Flaxby Green Park alongside the rail line to provide access to key employment and residential sites along the route. Links to wider plans to deliver a cohesive route to York. |
£50,000 |
Brayton to Selby Detailed Design |
Brayton to Selby Corridor was included in the Phase 2 Selby LCWIP to the outline design stage. We will develop this work to a detailed design stage. |
£95,000 |
In order to assess local authorities’ political support and technical capability for active travel, Active Travel England, a newly created commissioning body and inspectorate, sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT), is responsible for improving the standards of walking and cycling infrastructure in England, and enforcing standards and deliverability of schemes) has issued local authorities with a self-assessment to complete; this will help to establish baseline ambition and capability levels in each local authority area. Active Travel England states that they wish to provide the right support and tools for local authorities, based on these baseline factors. Active Travel England will provide sustained funding and support to local authority delivery partners that have:
- a clear plan and political support to deliver
- committed to delivering high quality schemes, leveraging in wider investment
- supportive policies
In line with Active Travel England’s request, we have completed the self-assessment process. View our self-assessment returns: