Active Travel England funding

The Department for Transport is allocating funding to local authorities to improve walking and cycling routes that are high quality and in line with the government’s design guidance.

Cheshire East Council has received a number of grant awards towards the implementation of active travel schemes within the borough. The funding is:

• Tranche 1 (Summer 2020) of £155,000 supported the installation of temporary projects as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Tranche 2 (Summer 2022) of £588,000 supported the creation of more permanent Active Travel projects.
• Tranche 4 (Spring 2023) of £1,297,882 and Tranche 4 Extension (Spring 2024) of £673,786 supports the delivery of Manchester Road, Wilmslow.
• Tranche 5 (Spring 2025) of £239,282 supports the delivery of Manchester Road, Wilmslow.

Tranche 2

Cheshire East Council secured  DfT funding in the second Tranche of the Active Travel Fund. The grant will be used in conjunction with additional funding currently being sought to implement permanent walking and cycling infrastructure schemes. 

5 schemes were consulted on in February 2021

• West Street, Antrobus Street and Mill Street (Congleton)
• Vernon Way and Market Street (Crewe)
• Black Lane and Hurdsfield Road (Macclesfield)
• Manchester Road (Tytherington)
• Manchester Road (Wilmslow and Handforth)

Following this consultation, feedback has been reviewed and the Manchester Road (Wilmslow and Handforth) and Manchester Road (Tytherington) scheme designs have been developed further.

Update February 2025 - these two schemes are under tender review with an intention to deliver in summer 2025.

To view full details of previous engagements visit Cheshire East active travel response.

Tranche 1

Eight new temporary schemes came into effect in autumn 2020 to improve routes to schools and workplaces, boost social distancing, encourage walking and cycling and improve our town centre environments. Measures were also aimed at reserving capacity on public transport for those who need it during the pandemic.

The 8 active travel schemes installed include:

• Coronation Street, Crewe
• Crewe town centre
• Congleton town centre
• Macclesfield town centre
• Ivy Road, Macclesfield
• Hawthorn Lane, Wilmslow
• Old Middlewich Road, Sandbach
• Lodge Road, Alsager

Following feedback, 3 schemes were withdrawn and elements of other schemes have been retained.

For wider information about walking and cycling in the area, visit Active travel in Cheshire East.