Issue - meetings

Active Travel England, the government’s executive agency responsible for walking, wheeling and cycling in England, published its Active Travel Capability Ratings in December 2025.  BCP Council was uprated from a Level 2 authority to a Level 3 authority.

The council is one of only 11 local authorities in the country to achieve level 3, and one of only 5 that isn’t part of a large, combined authority or city region. 

The increased grading has resulted in the council being allocated a larger Active Travel settlement.  The council has been allocated £2,249,725 of capital funding for walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure, per year up to and including 2029/30.  Alongside this, a revenue allocation of £705,869 per year up to and including 2028/29.  This represents a significant increase from the 2025/26 allocations of £1,128,857 (capital) and £330,685 (revenue).

This report recommends how the grant award should be invested and seeks delegated authority to facilitate the delivery.  The recommended proposals are aligned with the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) approved by Council in May 2022.

This report should be read in conjunction with the Local Transport Consolidated Funding Programme 2026/27 Cabinet report.