SCHEMES to encourage cycling, walking and public transport use will benefit from a major funding boost.

East Sussex County Council’s Active Access for Growth (AAfG) programme has been awarded an additional £400,000 of Government money, which will allow it to continue until March 2021.The programme allows the county council to fund projects that boost physical activity, encourage sustainable travel and support economic growth in Newhaven, Eastbourne, south Wealden, Bexhill and Hastings.

Councillor Claire Dowling, the county council’s lead member for transport and environment, said: “We very much welcome this additional funding from central Government.

“The AAfG programme has proved a great success, allowing us to work with more than 80 workplaces, more than 500 school pupils, job centres, community groups and universities and colleges across East Sussex.

“Since launching the programme in 2017, we have been able to support schemes ranging from cycle and electric cycle hire, bike maintenance courses and mindfulness walking sessions, to independent travel training for children and young adults with special educational needs and the production of Active Travel maps to give sustainable transport information.”

She added: “As well as helping to boost the economy in the county’s growth areas, the AAfG enables healthier travel which helps to reduce carbon emissions, congestion and improve air quality.”

This programme will also look at what travel initiatives could be delivered in the future, alongside new or improved cycling and walking measures coming forward in town centres or on key local routes.

East Sussex County Council became one of only a handful of councils to win Access Fund money from the Department for Transport in 2017. The funding ran until 2020.

More information about the Active Access for Growth can be found on the council’s website

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