West Berkshire steps up active travel investment to get more people moving

West Berkshire Council is ramping up its investment in walking, wheeling and cycling—making it easier for residents to choose healthier, more sustainable ways to get around.

With a clear goal to shift everyday travel habits, the council is working to increase the share of local journeys made by active travel from around 35% to 50% in towns like Newbury and Thatcham. The move is designed to boost public health, cut congestion, and support climate goals.

Recent upgrades are already making a difference. New shared-use paths and crossings have been introduced near schools, cycle parking has been expanded at key community sites, and improvements to bike shelters—like those at Newbury Library—are helping make cycling a more practical option.

And there’s more to come. Up to £1.8 million is set to be invested in 2026–27, funding a range of new schemes—from upgraded footways and crossings to expanded cycling routes and better signage across the district.

Projects in the pipeline include improvements in Hermitage and Thatcham, a new cycle shelter in Hungerford, and work linked to the Mortimer–Burghfield multi-user path.

Much of the funding is being sourced externally, including national government programmes and developer contributions—helping the council maximise impact without placing additional strain on local budgets.

Councillor Stuart Gourley said the aim is simple: give people real choice in how they travel while creating healthier, greener communities.