Warrington Borough Council has announced that it has submitted ‘ambitious’ plans to boost active travel and improve health and wellbeing across the borough.
Three bids have been submitted by the council, coming to a total of around £47 million, to the second round of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with a specific emphasis on travel, especially active travel that can benefit the health and wellbeing of residents across the area.
The first bid is titled Levelling Up Health and Wellbeing in Warrington South and looks to utilise three cultural and leisure facilities to do so. The three facilities are to be designed to enhance inclusivity, by providing easier access to those with disabilities, those who don’t necessarily have their own methods of transport, as well as reengaging residents who may be disengaged from sport or the arts.
Bid two is looking to reconnect the settlements of Warrington North, by delivering three new active travel routes. These will be introduced to improve the quality of traffic-free links between the ural areas of Burtonwood, Winwick, and Culcheth, and urban Warrington. It is hoped that these routes will help to encourage active lifestyles and a shift in the thinking of people who may not consider active travel an option. This will not only boost the health and wellbeing of residents but will also bring environmental benefits as councils around the county make the push towards a net zero future.
The third bid will focus on the council’s First and Last Mile Connectivity Plan to cover a corridor of east to west travel in the centre of Warrington. This will put an emphasis on impoving accessibility to the boroughs cycle network, as well as allowing for safer and more direct walking an cycling journeys in the centre of the town.
Councillor Russ Bowden, Leader of Warrington Borough Council, said:
“Our levelling up bids highlights the level of ambition within Warrington and our aspirations to build stronger, healthier, and better-connected communities. We want to create a future where people have the skills employers want, where sport and the arts are accessible for all and where people can benefit from a range of active travel options. This funding would give us a great opportunity to deliver a number of significant projects which would make a real difference to people’s lives.”
