Projects to encourage active travel across the region have been given a £287,000 boost with a new support grant awarded to BCP Council by Active Travel England (part of the Department for Transport – DfT) from Central Government's Capability and Ambition Fund.

The award will be used to fund a number of initiatives across the conurbation, which will help encourage local people to change their travel behaviour and consider adopting active travel.

One such project is the design and planning of more secure cycle parking facilities across the BCP Council area. Fear of bike theft is one of the main reasons preventing people from cycling and providing more secure bike storage could help encourage more people to cycle for everyday journeys.

Funds from the grant will also be used to continue the popular and successful 'Active Travel in Schools' work, which includes 'School Streets' and the 'Bike It Plus' projects. Both are aimed at improving the safety of school children whilst encouraging them and their families to take up cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting to school.

But it is not just the short-term initiatives which this grant will help. Last year BCP Council adopted its Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which sets out a long term strategy for sustainable transport infrastructure. The Council team will soon start working on a large project to consider active transport modes alongside all other types of transport, incorporating the LCWIP into an overall transport plan for the BCP Council area.

On top of this, the grant will help fund our work with Dorset Police on the security tagging programmes. You can follow Dorset Police on social media to find out where and when their next cycle tagging events will be taking place.

Cllr Mike Greene, BCP Council's portfolio holder for Sustainability and Transport said:

"This award from Central Government is great news for the development of our active travel projects and will allow us to continue with the good work of encouraging more people to choose a sustainable form of travel.

Leaving the car at home and walking or cycling instead is an easy way to get fitter, save money and reduce your carbon footprint. And fewer cars on the road means less congestion, which will mean quicker, easier journeys for those who still need or want to drive: Your travel - your choice."