A pilot scheme aimed at encouraging adults in Cornwall to choose ‘active travel’ has been hailed a success having helped almost 2,000 people.
Cornwall Council was one of 11 local authorities to be given government funding to boost the number of people who pick healthy forms of transport as part of their daily lives.
The Active Travel Social Prescribing (ATSP) pilot ran from summer 2023 to summer 2025 in three areas – Penzance, St Austell and the China Clay areas, and Bodmin.
Active travel means getting from A to B in a more physically active way, like walking, ‘wheeling’ (using a wheelchair) and cycling.
The scheme got people involved through ‘social prescribing’, which sees people connected to activities, groups, and services in their community to boost their health and wellbeing.
It is aimed primarily at people who are in poor health, unemployed, over 50 or living with a disability. They are referred to the scheme by a range of professionals, such as GPs.
The council’s public health service and Healthy Cornwall team worked with transport officers and the Active Cornwall team to deliver the pilot, collaborating with 17 other organisations.
Evaluation has shown the pilot has helped more people to cycle rather than jump in a car, and that this has had a positive impact on their general wellbeing.
Its success provides a solid foundation for continued promotion and investment in active travel across more communities in Cornwall.
Cllr Thalia Marrington, Cabinet member for community safety and public health at Cornwall Council, said:
“It’s fantastic news that this pilot has proved such a success in Cornwall, and I would like to congratulate everyone who worked so hard on it.
“Switching to an active form of travel in day-to-day life not only helps the environment, it also has huge health and wellbeing benefits so I would encourage anyone who likes the idea to speak to their GP or other social prescriber in their area.”
Natalie Russell, project manager for Active Travel Social Prescribing at Public Health Cornwall, added:
“I’m delighted that the pilot was successful with almost 2,000 people supported to make cycling, walking and wheeling part of their everyday lives.
“We have shown some really innovative ways that social prescribing and active travel can be linked, and I hope this pilot serves as a springboard for further success across more of our communities.
“To find out more, visit our Active Travel Social Prescribing web page.”
Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner and Olympic gold-medal winning cyclist, said:
“The success of Cornwall’s active travel social prescribing pilot speaks for itself and goes to show that people will embrace the vast benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling in their thousands if given the opportunity to do so.
“The evidence is clear – choosing active travel to get from A to B is better for our health and wellbeing, whether that’s through protecting against lifestyle-related diseases or improving mental health. Enabling people to get about under their own steam will help reduce pressure on the NHS, all while boosting local economies and the environment – it’s one of the most vital interventions we can make.”