New Forest National Park Authority awarded £200,000 government funding to improve walking, cycling and wheeling

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) has received £200,000 from Active Travel England to improve walking, cycling and wheeling for local residents and visitors.

The project is part of the Government’s £100m Active Travel fund, which aims to deliver training and initiatives that give people across England the confidence and freedom to walk, wheel and cycle. The fund includes £2 million to support England’s 10 National Park Authorities to continue developing designs and capacity for accessible active travel networks.

Priority will be given to making walking, wheeling – including the use of wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walking frames, prams or buggies – and cycling safer and more accessible on key routes in the New Forest, with the Lymington to Brockenhurst corridor highlighted by residents as a priority in previous rounds of engagement.

The funding will be used to develop high-quality designs and work with local stakeholders on a set of proposed schemes, including two new crossings on the A337 between Brockenhurst and Lymington, as well as future improvements to the cycling network.

The busy A337 is a main spine within the New Forest and is currently difficult to cross, limiting access to education, work, local businesses and the wider public transport network.

The proposed crossings – outside Brockenhurst College and at the junction of Setley Road with the A337 – aim to provide a safer, more comfortable way for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and horse riders to cross this busy road, while also improving safety for motorists. There have been several collisions in both locations in recent years, further strengthening the case for intervention.

Regular walking, wheeling and cycling have also been shown to cut sick days, reduce pressure on the NHS, lower carbon emissions, and save people money on travel costs.

The NPA is working on the project with Hampshire County Council (HCC), New Forest District Council and Forestry England, with support from specialist local transport consultants.

Residents, businesses, community groups and local authorities will be asked for their views on draft proposals in the coming months, following early positive conversations with key stakeholders.

This funding is the next step in implementing the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for the New Forest, which was agreed by Hampshire County Council in late 2025. Once the designs for both crossing schemes have been agreed, the NPA will work with HCC and other authorities to secure funding to deliver the project.

A previous round of Active Travel England funding saw £100,000 invested to develop feasibility studies into active travel from Brockenhurst to Lymington and safer crossings on the main A35 road south of Lyndhurst. The previous A337 study will help inform the new designs.

New Forest National Park Authority Chair Victoria Mander said: ‘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.’

Hampshire County Council Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport, Cllr Steve Forster said: ‘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.’

National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said: ‘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.’

Brockenhurst Parish Council Chair, Cllr Russell Horne said: ‘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.’

Brockenhurst College Assistant Principal, Steve Jenkin said: ‘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.’

Setley Ridge Vineyard owner Paul Girling said: ‘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.’

PIG Brewery owner, Tom Baynham said: ‘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.’

Chair of the New Forest Cycle Working Group, Richard Taylor said: ‘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.’

Setley resident Steve Kay said: ‘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.’

For more information and FAQs see the NPA Access to the National Park page.