Greater Manchester is one of nine areas invited to bid for Government funding to become a 'Sustainable Travel City'. The move follows the success of three pilot schemes to create Sustainable Travel Towns which have seen car use fall and rates of walking and cycling increase significantly.

Funding of up to £29 million will be invested over the next 3 years into at least one major conurbation to encourage greener travel choices, such as plans to support walking, cycling and initiatives to improve public transport. GMPTE, with the support of AGMA, have confirmed their intentions to submit a bid.

GMPTE's Health & Transport Group are keen to hear from organisations that can identify projects which could form part of the bid proposal. Suitable projects are those that would benefit from future funding and have also shown some success in tackling any of the following issues:

• Reducing obesity in primary school children in Reception & Year Six
• Supporting children travelling sustainably to school
• Has a positive effect on the number of people and children seriously injured or killed in road traffic accidents.
• Supports improved access to services and facilities by walking, cycling and public transport
• Facilitiates access to employment by walking, cycling or public transport.

If you would like to discuss any ideas for the bid please contact Beverley Gallier on 0161 244 1248 or Beverley.Gallier@gmpte.gov.uk as soon as possible.