The Route Forward
Summary report: The Route Forward
Full report: The Route Forward
Polegate to Firle shared-use path
The Polegate–Firle shared-use path is a 13 km high-quality, traffic-free route alongside the A27 corridor in East Sussex. Completed in 2023, the scheme forms part of the National Highways A27 East of Lewes improvement programme. It provides a safe and continuous connection between Polegate and Firle, near to the South Downs National Park. By fully separating walkers, wheelers and cyclists from high-speed traffic, the scheme addresses longstanding safety concerns and creates an accessible route that supports everyday travel, leisure use and sustainable tourism. The route features as a case study in the Active Travel England (2026) Rural Design Guide and its inclusion signals national recognition of the scheme as a leading example of rural infrastructure design.
A38 ‘Blue Route’ - Birmingham
In the south of Birmingham, the A38 Blue Route provides a continuous 4 km route between Selly Oak and Birmingham city centre, delivered as part of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution programme. The scheme is widely regarded as one of Birmingham’s most recognisable examples of fully separated cycling infrastructure on a major arterial road. The two-way cycleway runs alongside the A38 Bristol Road and includes a distinctive blue surface, dedicated cycle signals at junctions, and a unique section along the tree-lined central reservation of the dual carriageway.
The route links major destinations, including the University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, the Health Innovation Campus, and nearby residential areas, serving students, sta , and healthcare workers. Its design combines safety with visibility, encouraging confident cycling among new and returning riders, particularly women, and has informed subsequent active travel projects in the city.
Comber Greenway – Belfast
The Comber Greenway is an active travel route extending approximately 11 km from Dee Street in east Belfast to Comber. It is a predominantly traffic-free, shared-use corridor for walking, cycling, wheeling, and running. Opened in 2008, it follows the former Belfast and County Down Railway, which closed in 1950. Part of National Cycle Network Route 99, the Greenway supports both recreational and everyday journeys, functioning as one of Belfast’s main cycling corridors and a key link between neighbourhoods and the city centre. Its gentle gradients make it suitable for commuting and leisure journeys. The Greenway won a European Greenway Award in 2009 for route quality, environmental protection, and community connectivity.
A major improvement in 2024 has been the introduction of red-spectrum, bat friendly LED lighting along key urban sections. This addresses declines in evening and winter use, extends functional hours, and improves safety. Research shows lighting increases cycling after dark, particularly among less confident users, supporting year-round active travel.
Cardiff Cycleways
It is now possible to cycle across Cardiff city centre and to key destinations largely without having to mix with motor traffic, due to the development of two strategic routes as part of Cardiff’s overall network plan.
Cycleway 1 is the most complete of the six planned routes: a two-way protected cycle path with cycle-specific lights. It takes riders from the city centre to the University Hospital of Wales. The Cross City Route forms the hub of the planned network. While still subject to redesign and completion, it is suffciently developed to facilitate journeys to many parts of the city.
The temporary nature of the Cross City Route has allowed rapid iterations to be made, such as modifications to junctions and lights. In its final form, part of the route between North Road and West Grove will be placed on the opposite side of the road, to allow for a safer and less interrupted journey. It demonstrates how testing ideas, listening to feedback and incremental improvements can generate infrastructure that works for residents, workers and visitors to the capital.
School Streets Hackney – London
The Hackney School Streets programme is widely regarded as one of the most successful initiatives in the UK aimed at reducing traffic around schools, improving air quality, and encouraging active travel. Implemented by the London Borough of Hackney Council, the scheme restricts motor vehicle access on roads outside schools during pick-up and drop-o times. Hackney was an early adopter of School Streets in the UK and has since developed one of the largest programmes nationally, now operating 50 School Streets across the borough, covering 48 primary schools and five secondary schools (83% of primary and 26% of secondary schools), and benefiting more than 20,000 pupils (Department for Transport, 2024; Welsh Government, 2025).
By creating safer, quieter environments around schools, the initiative has been accepted by the community. School Streets contribute to increases in walking and cycling among pupils and families, reductions in motor traffic, and improved local air quality.
Saints Trails and Chiverton Bridge – Cornwall
The Saints Trails project is a multi-route active travel initiative developed by Cornwall Council to enhance walking, cycling, and equestrian connectivity across mid-Cornwall. The scheme comprises two principal multi-user trails linking St Agnes to Threemilestone (towards Truro) and Perranporth to Goonhavern, covering approximately 13 km. A defining feature of the project is the Chiverton Bridge, a 48-metre traffic-free crossing over the A30 at Chiverton Cross, opened in April 2024. The project aimed to provide safer, traffic-free connections between communities, encouraging both recreational use and sustainable commuting while supporting Cornwall’s wider transport and climate objectives. A central motivation for the scheme was to address the historic severance caused by the A30 trunk road, which has long acted as a barrier to non-motorised travel. Community advocacy, especially by the Truro Cycling Campaign, was instrumental in shaping the project and securing funding.
Early evidence indicates strong use and positive reception. An independent evaluation by PFA Research Ltd (2023) found high levels of satisfaction, with 84 users citing increased safety, health and wellbeing benefits, and enjoyment of the city and countryside.