The Welsh government has allocated £6.99m to Monmouthshire County Council through its Active Travel Fund 2023/24, marking the highest allocation in Wales yet from this round.
In recent years, the county has seen successive increases in funding. The council has likewise received £500,000 in core funding, which has been allocated to the design and development of the Wye Bridge and Wyesham Links projects, and for smaller active-travel projects around the county.
The local authority is working in accordance with its ten-year plan for improvements across the region, which has been divided into specific focus areas.
Cllr Sara Burch, cabinet member for inclusive and active communities, said: “Soon we will start seeing large projects beginning to be delivered on the ground, which will help decarbonise our transport, one journey at a time.
“We are committed to working with the Welsh government to deliver our shared vision – a Wales where walking and cycling are the safe and normal choice for local trips.
“These active-travel schemes have been developed and shaped by the needs of our communities, who we are continually engaging and listening to.
“We’ve been hearing from people for many years who about the need for inclusive, accessible routes. Today marks a big step forward to delivering this for Monmouthshire and its communities.”
Some of the schemes to receive funding include the Phase 1 construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge to improve safety and accessibility for walkers and wheelers, turning a disused railway line into a new active-travel route, continuing development of a foot and cycle bridge across the Wye progress, which will benefit schoolchildren, and major improvements to the pedestrian and cycling route from Williams Field Lane to Monnow Bridge, to make it easier and safer to travel into the centre of the town.