Active Travel Fund
The Active Travel Fund is one of several funding streams set up by the government for walking and cycling schemes, helping to promote healthy travel, reduce emissions and grow the economy.
The first tranche of funding was announced during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic. There have been three further rounds since then.
Tranche 1 - what we did
The funding from the first tranche was known as the Emergency Active Travel Fund and was used to:
- undertake an initial public opinion survey in early 2021 to gain the views of the population on the need for improvements to walking and cycling facilities, the types of improvements that are needed and some of the challenges faced in implementation
- install cycle racks at several town locations
- install a temporary bus stop at Mercers Row
- install a temporary segregated cycle way on Rushmere Road
- install temporary footway widening on St Giles Street
- install 24-hour bus lanes on Weedon Road and St James Road, which has since reverted to its pre-Covid-19 operating times
All the temporary measures have now been removed.
Abington Area Active Travel Scheme
In Tranche 2 of funding, we were invited to bid for further funds for permanent measures which promote active travel.
£1.332 million was awarded to fund for:
- improved cycling facilities along Billing Road between York Road and Rushmere Road
- light segregation provided on west/southbound cycle lane on:
- Wellingborough Road (west of Church Way)
- Abington Park Crescent
- Park Avenue South
Following strong opposition from local residents and businesses to an original proposal to convert Billing Road into a one-way road, we have worked with the Department for Transport to revise the proposal.
We have instead developed an alternative that encourages walking and cycling.
The Abington Area Active Travel Scheme now seeks to improve active travel and road safety through three phases:
- Rushmere Road and Billing Road junction improvements. Construction was completed in winter 2024
- Footpath and cycle lane improvements along Park Avenue South and Bridgewater Drive, the construction is to begin spring 2026
- A range of highway active travel and safety improvements at on Abington Park Crescent and adjoining roads, the consultation is currently open until 18 January 2026
The initiative supports West Northamptonshire Council’s active travel vision, contributing to reduced CO2 emissions and a healthier community. Further updates will be shared with residents and stakeholders as the project progresses.
The detailed design of Phase 1 and 2, consultation summary and report is shown in the documents below:
Phase 2 for Park Avenue South and Bridgewater Drive will be available shortly.
Consultation documents
Consultation on these proposals has now closed.
We are currently considering all the feedback and comments received.
Connecting the Active Quarter: Access for All
Following a fourth bidding round, in March 2023 we were awarded £642k to build a new 1300m traffic-free route, accessible for those walking, wheeling and cycling within Delapre Abbey. Cycle parking and wayfinding signage will also be provided.
The new route will enable residents living in Far Cotton and the town centre to connect with employment opportunities. Such examples include Brackmills Industrial Estate and the University of Northampton.
The new routes will support ongoing wellbeing and social prescribing projects at Delapre Abbey.
Construction of the new routes and covered cycle parking was completed in Autumn 2024, and new benches were installed in Spring 2025. Wayfinding signage will follow in due course.
The University of Northampton are undertaking an evaluation of the new traffic free routes. Further details on the evaluation and how to engage is available on the Active Quarter website.
Last updated 23 December 2025