Kim McGuinness Joins UK-Wide Pledge for Active Travel Network

National World - LocalTV

The North East has joined a nationwide initiative to create safer, greener routes for walking, wheeling, and cycling; starting with improved connections between schools, homes, and communities.

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00:00The North East is joining a bold national push to get 20 million people walking, wheeling

00:08and cycling more, starting with safer routes to schools.

00:13Regional Mayor Kim McGuinness is one of 12 local leaders across the country backing the

00:17creation of a new National Active Travel Network, promising thousands of miles of upgraded paths

00:22connecting homes, schools, high streets and transport hubs.

00:28The programme, led by Active Travel England, launches this autumn and will begin work in

00:34around 1,000 schools, aiming to deliver 300 safer routes.

00:38In the North East alone, over 100 kilometres of new cycling and walking routes are promised

00:43by 2027, including links from Whitley Bay to Blythe, Washington to Sunderland and along the

00:48National Cycle Network between Jarrow and Heaven.

00:53Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman says the project is about more than just infrastructure.

00:58It's about improving health, boosting local economies and giving children greater independence.

01:05He says people will only consider active travel if it's easy and safe.

01:10But there's some tension on the ground.

01:12In Newcastle, the school streets programme designed to keep roads outside schools' car

01:17free during busy times has seen fewer rollouts than promised.

01:21Even council funding to Sustrans, the charity delivering changes was cut last year.

01:27Still, local leaders like councillor James Coles welcomes the renewed commitment, calling

01:32it a massive opportunity for change.

01:36Whether the regional vision lines up with local delivery remains to be seen, but for now,

01:41the wheels are turning.

01:42The wheels are turning.

01:43The wheels are turning.

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