Active Travel England (ATE) has appointed Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Lord Geoffrey Filkin as non-executive directors on its board, with Mayor of the West of England Helen Godwin and Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith made advisors.

Baroness Grey-Thompson has been appointed for a four-year term, with Lord Geoffrey Filkin serving a three-year term. The two mayors will be voluntary advisors for two years.

Chris Boardman, national active travel commissioner, said: ‘Tanni and Geoff bring exactly the kind of expertise and ambition that Active Travel England needs as we move into the most significant period of investment in walking and cycling that this country has ever seen. Having Helen and David as advisors means we are genuinely rooted in the places we are trying to change - bringing the voice of local leaders who are already making a real difference to delivery on the ground.'

Announced alongside the launch of the Government's new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy – which is backed by a projected £4.5bn investment over the next five years – the new appointments aim to help the ATE deliver on the ambition of more than half of short journeys in towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035.

Baroness Grey-Thompson said: ‘Physical activity and travel have long been important parts of my work, and there's a real opportunity here to make a meaningful difference for disabled people, because even small changes can have a big impact.'

Lord Filkin added: ‘ATE has great ambitions to help many more children and adults to enjoy active lives and have better health.

‘So I am delighted to join Chris Boardman, ATE's Board and many others outside government to help make this happen.'

Mayor Godwin commented: ‘We have a real opportunity to help shape how we improve people's options for safer walking, wheeling, and cycling in our regions and nationally. In the West of England, we are proud to be recognised as one of the top-rated mayoral authorities for active travel – but we are not standing still. With continued support and £12m of further investment from Active Travel England, plus the £50m we have allocated for active travel from the latest record transport funding secured from government, we will be able to go even further.'