£3000 active travel grants announced

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Funding is now available for companies, schools and community groups who want to introduce active travel initiatives.

North Somerset Council has secured funding from the Department for Transport’s Capability Fund to support a range of active travel behaviour change initiatives and infrastructure projects in 2022.

Companies, schools and community groups can now apply for up to 50 per cent match-funded grants up to a maximum of £3,000.

The grants are for on-site initiatives that will help overcome any barriers to active travel and encourage more walking and cycling.

Examples of previous grants include installing scooter pods and bike shelters at schools and hospitals, buying e-cycle fleets for staff use and installing showers to increase walking and cycling.

In 2022, priority will be given to initiatives that seek to encourage visitors, employees and local residents to make more use of the region’s new active travel infrastructure. Applications are welcomed for projects close to new sections of shared-use path and traffic-calmed areas, or which focus on the planned Pier to Pier section of National Cycle Network Route 33 between Weston and Clevedon.

Cllr Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council's executive member with responsibility for sustainable travel said: "Sometimes, small things can prevent people choosing to walk to cycle. There might be no showers at work, no covered bike racks on site or no signs pointing to traffic-free routes nearby.

"Our Active Travel grants can help solve these problems. By 50 per cent match-funding your investment up to maximum of £3,000, we can help you make small changes to North Somerset workplaces, schools and community spaces, making them more attractive to people who are keen to walk and cycle."

To maximise the impact, promotion and legacy of the active travel grants, North Somerset Council officers can also support businesses, schools and community groups with a variety of offers and behaviour change activities.

These include:

  • Up to 50 per cent match-funded active travel grants (£3,000 maximum)
  • Free cycle and e-cycle hire for individual adults (deposits payable)
  • Free adult cycle and e-cycle confidence training
  • Free bike stands for businesses
  • Free e-cycle fleet hire for businesses
  • Free Dr Bike mechanic visits to service staff bikes
  • Basic bike mechanic courses 
  • Free Sustainable Travel Roadshows for workplace events
  • Schools Engagement officer support (grant-finding, resources, competitions)
  • Free access to Active Travel Plan software: ModeShift for Business/ Schools
  • Prize-packed active travel challenges like Love to Ride and school competitions.

These match-funded grants will not cover VAT and projects must be finalised with funds committed by March 2022.

The grant application form is available online at Travelwest. Visit https://travelwest.info/for-businesses/grants-funding 

Submissions will be assessed on a rolling basis so people are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for consideration. 

For support with efforts to increase walking, cycling and active travel, email engagement officers Kerry O’Neill (for business and community settings) or Abbie Edbrooke (for schools and education) on sustainable.travel@n-somerset.gov.uk or call 01275 884605.