New Forest Authority Secures £200,000 for Active Travel Improvements

Government funding will enhance walking, cycling, and wheeling routes, with a focus on the Lymington to Brockenhurst corridor.

Scenic view of the New Forest National Park with walking and cycling paths.
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Scenic view of the New Forest National Park with walking and cycling paths.

The New Forest National Park Authority has been awarded £200,000 in government funding to significantly improve facilities for walking, cycling, and wheeling across the park.

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) has received £200,000 from Active Travel England to enhance walking, cycling, and wheeling experiences for both residents and visitors. This initiative is part of the government's broader £100m Active Travel fund, designed to foster confidence and freedom in active travel methods across England. A portion of this fund, £2 million, is specifically allocated to support England's 10 National Park Authorities in developing accessible active travel networks.
Priority will be placed on improving the safety and accessibility of key routes within the New Forest, particularly for walking and wheeling, which includes the use of wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walking frames, prams, or buggies. The corridor between Lymington and Brockenhurst has been identified by residents as a key area for improvement. The funding will facilitate the development of high-quality designs and collaborative work with local stakeholders on proposed schemes.
Among the proposed improvements are two new crossings on the A337 between Brockenhurst and Lymington. This busy road is a major route through the New Forest and is currently challenging to cross, impacting access to education, employment, local businesses, and public transport. The planned crossings, located near Brockenhurst College and at the junction of Setley Road with the A337, aim to provide safer and more comfortable passage for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, and horse riders, while also enhancing safety for motorists. Both locations have experienced several collisions in recent years.
Regular engagement in walking, wheeling, and cycling is recognised for its benefits, including reduced sick days, decreased pressure on the NHS, lower carbon emissions, and cost savings on travel. The NPA is collaborating with Hampshire County Council (HCC), New Forest District Council, and Forestry England on this project, with support from specialist transport consultants. Draft proposals will be shared with residents, businesses, community groups, and local authorities for feedback in the coming months, following initial positive discussions with stakeholders.
This funding represents a significant step in implementing the New Forest Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which was approved by Hampshire County Council in late 2025. Following the agreement of designs for the crossing schemes, the NPA will work with HCC and other authorities to secure the necessary funding for project delivery. A previous investment of £100,000 from the Active Travel England fund supported feasibility studies for active travel routes from Brockenhurst to Lymington and safer crossings on the A35 road south of Lyndhurst, insights from which will inform the new designs.
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"This funding will help more people to walk, wheel and cycle in and between our communities in the National Park. Encouraging active travel is a key part of protecting our beautiful landscape and improving the health and wellbeing of everyone who lives in the New Forest, as we aim to make car-free travel a more viable option for more people."

Victoria Mander · Chair of the New Forest National Park Authority
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"This funding is an important step towards making it easier and more enjoyable for people to travel around the New Forest without relying on a car. By improving routes for walking, wheeling and cycling, we can help people access some of Hampshire’s most spectacular places while supporting healthier lifestyles and a more sustainable future. We look forward to continuing our work with partners, including the New Forest National Park Authority, to deliver a transport network that meets the needs of residents and visitors while protecting the area’s treasured landscapes and heritage."

Cllr Steve Forster · Hampshire County Council Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport
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"This is a practical investment that changes how people move every day. This isn’t just about active travel in isolation. It strengthens public transport by improving the first and last mile, it gives families more affordable options, and it makes our streets safer for everyone. It’s one of the most effective investments we can make to improve everyday life and give people real choice in how they get around."

Chris Boardman · National Active Travel Commissioner
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"Brockenhurst Parish Council is pleased that funding has been secured to design safer means to cross the A337 at key points within the Brockenhurst area. We look forward to participating in the consultation programme which, now that funding is approved, will be able to allow detailed proposals to be prepared."

Cllr Russell Horne · Brockenhurst Parish Council Chair
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"We welcome this investment and support plans for a new crossing outside Brockenhurst College. The safety of our students, staff and wider community is always a priority. A safer crossing would improve access to the College, while also making it easier to access the local community."

Steve Jenkin · Brockenhurst College Assistant Principal
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"I’m delighted to hear that funding has been secured to improve access to the hamlet of Setley. Over recent years it has become a hive of activity in hospitality and retail with thriving businesses at Setley Ridge Vineyard with our farm shop, garden centre and tea rooms, along with our neighbours Pig Beer brewery and the Filly Inn. However, on the outskirts of the main village, access by foot and bike is not as easy or safe as it could be. I look forward to seeing the details of how this might be addressed to better connect us to the centre of Brockenhurst."

Paul Girling · Setley Ridge Vineyard owner
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"Anyone who has tried to cross the A337 at Setley on foot, on a bike or on a horse knows why this scheme matters. A safer crossing here would give our customers, and everybody else who lives and works along this road, a real choice about leaving the car at home. We are glad the National Park Authority has secured the funding, and we will help with the design work in any way that is useful."

Tom Baynham · PIG Brewery owner
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"Safety is always top of the list of reasons why people chose not to cycle, and the Brockenhurst to Lymington route is well acknowledged as one of the least cycle friendly in the New Forest. Properly thought-through designs with local stakeholder input for these critical crossing points are an excellent step forward in the process of encouraging cycling, and active travel in general."

Richard Taylor · Chair of the New Forest Cycle Working Group
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"Having lived on the Setley Road for many years, the junction on the A337 has always been a concern. I have witnessed many incidents over the years, which will only continue if measures aren’t taken to improve the safety. This is why it is fantastic to hear plans are in place to make a difference to the safety of the crossing."

Steve Kay · Setley resident
Based on information from the official source: New Forest National Park Authority (06/10/2026)