WSP consortium to continue active travel scheme reviews for ATE
The group will provide design assurance and technical support for walking, wheeling and cycling projects for another three years.
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Active Travel England (ATE) has renewed its contract with a consortium led by WSP for an additional three years. This group will continue to offer independent design assurance and technical support for schemes promoting walking, wheeling, and cycling across England.
Scope of Services
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The consortium, which includes Mott MacDonald, PJA, Urban Movement, the charity Transport for All, and Loughborough University, will assess schemes seeking government funding. Their work supports ATE's objective to elevate the standard of infrastructure for active travel.
Under the renewed agreement, the team will conduct reviews of scheme designs, provide planning advice, and assess Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans. They will also assist with funding applications, develop guidance materials, and carry out monitoring, evaluation, and training.
Continued Partnership
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This reappointment marks the third consecutive term for the partnership, which has collaborated with ATE since the agency's inception in shadow form in 2022. ATE was established to oversee and enhance the delivery of active travel projects, ensuring government funds are allocated to schemes meeting national standards.
ATE has prioritised design assurance to improve safety, accessibility, and the overall quality of active travel infrastructure. This focus comes in response to recurring concerns from campaigners and local authorities regarding the inconsistent quality of existing interventions.
WSP's involvement with ATE has previously included leading the development of guidance for rural routes. In July 2026, the firm, alongside PJA, published ATE’s Rural Design Guide, intended to assist local authorities in designing active travel routes in rural settings where transport options may be limited and road safety and social isolation are significant issues.
The consortium has also contributed to ATE initiatives such as the Women and Girls’ Safety Programme and the Streets for Schools toolkit.
Questions this report answers
+What is the purpose of the WSP-led consortium?
The consortium provides independent design assurance and technical support for active travel schemes. Their role is to help Active Travel England improve the safety, accessibility, and quality of walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure across the country.
+How long will the consortium continue its work?
Active Travel England has reappointed the consortium for a further three years. This extends their ongoing collaboration with the agency, which began when ATE was still in its shadow form in 2022.
+What specific services will the consortium provide?
The team will conduct scheme design reviews, offer planning advice, and assess Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans. They will also assist with funding bids, develop guidance tools, and undertake monitoring and evaluation activities.
WE FILE
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The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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