Improving experience

A good journey should feel safe, accessible and welcoming from start to finish.

We invest in paths, crossings, lighting and accessibility improvements that help people travel more confidently. We can also improve access to public transport, local services and green spaces. 

Our Designated Funds programme provides a significant proportion of our active travel investment. 

What we improve 

Our investment supports: 

  • safer everyday journeys
  • better access to work, education and services
  • more accessible paths and crossings
  • healthier and more affordable travel
  • connections to nature and green space
  • stronger and better-connected communities
  • sustainable travel choice 
  • better mental and physical health

Creating safer, more welcoming places

Our improvements aren't limited to paths and crossings.

We also invest in lighting, accessibility and public spaces - so people feel safer and more confident when travelling. 

Sandwell underpass

At Sandwell underpass, our investment combined practical accessibility improvements with community artwork celebrating the heritage of West Bromwich. 

 

New lighting, accessibility improvements and community artwork have transformed the Route 5 underpass at Sandwell.
New lighting, accessibility improvements and community artwork have transformed the Route 5 underpass at Sandwell.

A27 east of Lewes

Thousands of people use the A27 along the south coast every day.

Before our improvements, narrow sections and limited crossing points made it difficult for people to use the route. Cyclists often had no alternative to using the busy road. 

We created seven miles of shared paths, helping people make local journeys and enjoy the outdoors. 

 

The new path runs alongside the A27 from Firle to Polegate
The new path runs alongside the A27 from Firle to Polegate

Our improvements include: 

  • wide paths, with many sections three metres across, set behind trees and hedges
  • a new shared path connecting to the local railway station
  • new and upgraded crossing points - including horse crossings
  • a dedicated section of path for horse riding

These changes give people more space away from traffic and safer places to cross the road.

 

New bridge across the Cuckmere
New bridge across the Cuckmere

 

Since the route opened in 2023, people surveyed have reported benefits for their everyday journeys, wellbeing and local businesses: 

  • 86% said they use the route more often
  • 90% felt the route benefited their mental health
  • 66% said they had spent more money in local cafés and shops

School Access Programme 

Listening to people who use and live near our roads helps us understand

  • the challenges they face
  • where we can make a difference. 

We worked with Living Streets and children to review their routes to school. Together, we explored how our roads affect their journeys and how we could make those journeys better. 

Their feedback helped us make practical improvements, including: 

  • removing offensive graffiti
  • providing cycle storage
  • clearing overgrown vegetation
  • removing litter

At one school, engagement and support through the programme helped increase active travel journeys by 40%.

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