York to be home to new Active Travel England agency

Council Leader Keith Aspden has welcomed the news that Active Travel England, the Government’s new cycling and walking executive agency, will be headquartered in York from Summer 2022.

Reacting to the announcement, Councillor Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Leader of the City of York Council, commented:

“The confirmation that new Department for Transport active travel team will be based in York, creating new, skilled and exciting jobs, is a welcome boost to the city and our employment market. This is a great vote of confidence in York and our already existing skills in the sector, and follows the confirmation that the city is to also see several hundred new Cabinet office jobs relocated into York Central after months of lobbying.

“York is rightly recognised as one of the best places to live, work and visit in the UK and is renowned for its diverse culture, rich heritage, great transport links and a booming business sector. York has much to offer to any relocated office function, particularly one that will hopefully see our efforts to make York even greener and cleaner by investing in active and sustainable transport infrastructure supported by this new team. Supporting sustainable transport across York is key to tackling some of the major challenges facing our city – carbon reduction, congestion and air quality.

“Whilst the creation of the new roles is excellent news, job relocations alone don’t constitute a Northern strategy that would bring together policy and investment for the region. I look forwarding to seeing the promises made to our city, region and the North, to level up, being delivered beyond political slogans.”