Funding for the development of active travel improvements, including feasibility work, design development, and delivery on the ground, is generally provided via grants from the Government agency Active Travel England, via funding bids and revenue and capital allocations; as well as through other sources such as the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, Town Deals and the Levelling Up Fund.
Capability Rating
Following an assessment by Active Travel England (ATE) in 2024, Cumberland Council has a rating of 2 (this ranges from Level 0 being the worst to Level 4 being the best) for active travel capability and ambition. The assessment included local leadership, network planning, and existing network extent and quality.
No authorities are at a level 4, and only a small handful of larger authorities are at level 3.
Local authorities would need to have a substantial active travel network in place on the ground, built to current design standards, to reach Level 3; and a dense network of active travel infrastructure with lots of people using it, to reach Level 4.
Capability Funding
Funding allocations from ATE are now generally calculated based on our rating and population, unless a particular funding bid is being undertaken.
Capability revenue funding is awarded by ATE to boost our capability and technical skills to deliver high quality active travel schemes. Funding can be used for developing infrastructure plans and designs, programme management, training, communications and engagement.
The following Capability and Ambition revenue funding has been received:
| Year | Funding | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | £254,164 | Cumbria County Council (prior to Local Government Reform) |
| 2022/23 | £358,615 | Cumbria County Council (prior to Local Government Reform) |
| 2023/24 | £89,654 | Cumberland Council (Allocations were set at 50% of 2022/23 funding levels. This was then split equally between Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council |
| 2024/25 | £195,662 | Cumberland Council |
Active Travel Fund (ATF)
The Active Travel Fund (ATF) supports local authorities with capital and revenue grant funding for the development and/or construction of inclusive walking, wheeling and cycling schemes. To date, five tranches of funding has been provided. Early rounds of ATF involved bidding by local authorities for specific projects, and these must commit to following funding guidance and key principles:
- all schemes must comply with national cycle infrastructure design standards (LTN 1/20)
- authorities are to undertake network planning to inform prioritisation of schemes, in the form of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) or similar local strategies
- schemes must be developed in consultation with local communities
- schemes must be supported by local authority leaders, and have the appropriate design review and assurance systems
The following Active Travel Fund funding has been received to date:
ATF4 (2022/23)
Projects:
Carlisle: Victoria Viaduct, Carlisle LCWIP Route 36 – Preliminary DesignFunding: £115,000
Cargo link: Carlisle LCWIP Route 38 – Design and Build
Funding: £530,000
South Whitehaven NCN 72 Improvement, Whitehaven LCWIP Route 14 – Design and Build
Funding: £782,359
ATF4 Extension (2023/24)
Projects:
Carlisle: London Road, Carlisle LCWIP Route 28 Cycleway – Preliminary Design
Funding: £180,000
Lowca: NCN72 Realignment and Improvement – Design work (with Sustrans)
Funding: £49,926
Workington: Central Way, Workington LCWIP Route 10 Improvement – Design and Build
Funding: £445,000
ATF5 (2024/25)
In December 2024, Cumberland Council was awarded £327,163, consisting up of:
Capital: £289,866
Revenue: £37,297
Projects are currently being determined.
Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF) 2025/26
Active Travel England is providing both capital and revenue under the Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF), which is a preliminary step towards fuller transport funding settlements.
Cumberland Council has been allocated £998,838, consisting of:
Revenue: £226,304 - to be received in March 2025
Capital: £772,534 - to be received in April/May 2025
Projects are currently being determined.
Note: Earlier tranches of the Active Travel Fund were awarded to Cumbria County Council prior to Local Government Reform, as follows:
ATF1 (Emergency Active Travel Fund during COVID-19)
Cumbria County Council received funding of £233,000 for projects in Barrow in Furness, Grasmere and Penrith.
ATF2 and ATF3
Cumbria County Council received funding of £866,350 and £4.5m for projects in Barrow in Furness.