Sussex Councils Awarded More Than £13m To Boost Cycling, Walking And Wheeling

Sussex is set to benefit from a major investment in active travel, with more than £13 million allocated to support new cycling, walking and wheeling schemes across the county.

The funding is part of a wider £133m package awarded to local authorities across the South East, drawn from a national £626m commitment to deliver safer, greener travel announced in the government’s Spending Review.

According to figures released by Active Travel England, West Sussex County Council will receive £5.46m, while East Sussex County Council has been awarded £3.38m.

Brighton & Hove City Council will receive a further £4.54m to continue its work on improving cycling and walking routes across the city.

All funding will be delivered over a four-year period, supporting new footpaths, upgraded cycle tracks and safer streets.

Nationally, the investment is expected to create around 500 miles of new and improved active travel infrastructure.

Active Travel England has also ranked local authorities based on their ability to deliver such schemes.

Councils with stronger track records — including Brighton & Hove — have been awarded larger capital sums, while lower-rated authorities will receive support and training to improve.

Sophie Gordon, campaigns manager at Cycling UK, welcomed the announcement, calling it a “no-brainer”:

“For every £1 spent on cycling and walking schemes in the UK, you get nearly £6 back in benefits,” she said.

Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood added:

“By backing councils with the funding and support they need, we are helping to create healthier communities, safer streets and greener local transport choices.”

The investment aims to encourage more people across Sussex to leave the car at home and make short local journeys on foot or by bike — a key goal for Active Travel England ahead of 2030.