A new £32.9m scheme has launched to help local authorities develop more effective local walking and cycling schemes, co-created by the communities that will use them.

The funding will support local authorities to maximise active travel investment by enhancing their technical skills

The investment will help councils in England design, develop and consult on high-quality active travel schemes that work for residents and consider the local road network.

These could include new school safety zones to encourage active travel, improved walking and cycling infrastructure on local high streets as well as new cycle and wheelchair paths.

The new scheme is intended to drive active travel by addressing current barriers to take-up.

Surveys show the number one issue putting women off cycling is how safe they feel on the roads, with 79% supporting more protected cycle lanes being built. Safety will therefore be the major focus for the new designs and routes.

The funding will also be used to engage under-represented groups and enable more children to walk, wheel and cycle to school. Community engagement programmes will give individuals the confidence to walk and cycle safely through cycle training, school walking groups and bike rental schemes.

Resultant benefits to the public include improved health, reduced costs and protecting the environment. Research by Cycling UK indicates that if people cycled short journeys, they would save an average of £126 per year in fuel costs alone and would burn hundreds of extra calories each week.

Active Travel Minister Jesse Norman said: “Leaving the car and walking and cycling instead is an easy way to get fit, save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

“Better designed schemes, which take into account the views of local people will help deliver improvements that have widespread local support.

“Skills training and local community engagement will help local authorities to make active travel an attractive choice for getting around.”

The funding will support local authorities to maximise active travel investment by enhancing their technical skills. Activities being funded include network planning, public engagement exercises and bespoke training for councillors and staff.