York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has appointed a new active travel commissioner to ‘help deliver safer, greener journeys' across the region.
Rhiannon Letman-Wade brings experience from both ‘urban and rural settings' after serving as deputy chair of Wales' Active Travel Board, where she shaped national policy, along with nearly three years as sustainable travel manager for Shropshire Council.
In this new role, Ms Letman-Wade will oversee delivery of Mayor David Skaith's £4m Active Travel Fund, providing guidance to ensure that safer routes, improved infrastructure and more accessible options are provided to every community in York and North Yorkshire.
Mayor Skaith said: ‘I've spoken to countless communities across the region and it's clear that people want safer streets so they can feel more confident to walk, wheel and cycle.
‘Our region's first Active Travel Commissioner is going to help us move forward to achieve that goal and gives us the expertise to deliver real change.
‘Rhiannon has a strong track record of delivering exciting active travel schemes and a commitment to empowering communities to make the change they want to see in their neighbourhoods. She brings a wealth of experience and will be at the forefront of helping York and North Yorkshire move forward.'
Ms Letman-Wade added: ‘There is already great work happening across the region and I'm looking forward to building on that to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and easier for everyone.
‘Changing how people think about active travel is part of the challenge. It's not simply about replacing car journeys, it's about seeing how it can support other ways of travelling – such as making it easier to walk to a bus stop, or cycle to a station.
‘In a largely rural region like York and North Yorkshire, we need to be realistic and tailor solutions to different places. Safer school journeys are a priority, and I'm committed to helping our communities get the support they need.'
