Active Travel Fund Tranche 2 Guidance
Background
On 10th July 2020, the Department for Transport set out an invitation to bid for the Active Travel Fund Tranche 2, with a deadline for submission of Friday 7 August. Unlike Tranche 1, which was a light-touch process, Tranche 2 is a more formal application process, with tighter criteria. In order to put the County Council in the strongest position to secure 100% of its funding, it will need to put forward proposals that have a strong strategic, economic, management, financial and commercial case.
Strategic case
Objectives of the fund
- Implement measures to create an environment safer for both walking and cycling
- Replace public transport journeys with cycling
- Avoid public transport overcrowding
- Deliver health, environmental and congestion benefits
Criteria
- Swift and meaningful plans to reallocate road space to cyclists and pedestrians;
- Schemes that do not alter the status quo on the road will not be funded;
- Cycling schemes (temporary and permanent) must include segregation or point closures;
- Can be temporary low-cost schemes or permanent schemes with a short lead time;
- E-scooter trials to complement overall plan to enhance the road environment for cyclists and pedestrians;
- Must demonstrate impacts on bus and public transport services have been considered;
- Measures with benefits to cyclists and bus users particularly welcomed;
- Wider impacts of proposals, particularly on disabled people and others with protected characteristics, must be mitigated (Public Sector Equality Duty).
The indicative funding allocation was calculated by formula using Census data of all residents aged 16 and over in employment who use public transport as their usual method of travel to work. The bid therefore needs to demonstrate how the proposals will replace public transport journeys with walking and cycling trips and therefore is more targeted at the large, urban areas where this can be evidenced.
The bid will need a summary and plans of the proposals for up to 5 schemes (or the 5 most expensive schemes). Schemes which are included in a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), the Local Transport Plan and/or having been identified through the Rapid Cycleway Prioritisation Tool or Propensity to Cycle Tool with stakeholder support are likely to be looked upon favourably. Schemes that do not fulfil any of these are unlikely to be funded.
Economic case
The proposals will need to demonstrate value for money and should be assessed and confirmed through Section 151 officer.
Financial case
£1.3m has been indicatively allocated to the County Council, although actual sums will be confirmed depending on how ambitious the Council is and is likely to consider how swiftly and effectively authorities have implemented Tranche 1 plans. In Tranche 1 many authorities secured less than their allocation with a limited number receiving in excess of their funding ask.
As the indicative allocation is a relatively modest sum, seeking a small number of high impact schemes would likely have a stronger chance of demonstrating the ‘meaningful’ effects on walking and cycling expected from this fund.
The bid seeks details of any match funding, i.e. from developer contributions or Local Transport Plan, which is expected to strengthen the bid. The fund is majority capital funding (i.e. for hard infrastructure), with up to 20% revenue funding (i.e. temporary, pop-up measures).
Management case
The criteria seek funding to be spent or committed by the end of March 2021 so proposals need to be ‘shovel ready’. The bid must also comment on consultation, stakeholder involvement and accessibility considerations.
Commercial case
The bid must indicate how the works will be procured and whether delivery partners are in place.
Monitoring and evaluation
For all schemes over £2m there is an expectation that the impact of schemes will be monitored and evaluated. As the indicative allocation is below this value, it is not expected to apply.