Walking, wheeling and cycling in Southampton City Region saves NHS almost £11 million a year

Walking, wheeling and cycling in Southampton City Region saves the NHS £10.8 million a year, equivalent to 240,000 GP appointments, according to the UK’s largest assessment of active travel.

The findings come from Southampton City Region’s Walking and Cycling Index 2025, launched today by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council.

The Index shows that walking, wheeling and cycling helps prevent an estimated 862 serious long term health conditions in Southampton City Region, thanks to more active lifestyles.

People travelling by walking, with a mobility aid or by bike are helping to create more liveable communities in the region, with the Index demonstrating strong public support for streets and neighbourhoods designed around people.

When Jason Bell was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, he started walking to work to help manage the symptoms.

“It’s about 3.5km each way and has really helped with weight loss and controlling my blood sugar levels,” he said. “Southampton is quite a walkable city and I enjoy walking through some of the parks.

“I’d love to see a network of walking highways through the city with fewer and easier road crossings.”

The Walking and Cycling Index shows Jason’s experience is far from unique. Across the city region, walking, wheeling and cycling are already delivering significant health, economic and social benefits, but many people still face barriers that prevent them from travelling actively.

“Across Southampton City Region walking, wheeling and cycling are becoming part of everyday life, and this new report shows the difference they make to the people that live here. It shows strong public support for neighbourhoods designed around everyday journeys that can be made easily whether walking, with a mobility aid, or by bike, whilst highlighting some concerns around safety and infrastructure,” says Natalie Martin, Growth & Partnerships Manager at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.

Key findings from Southampton City Region’s 2025 Walking and Cycling Index:

Southampton City Region is taking action to address some of these issues, with new projects making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and accessible for everyone.

The Councils have developed new routes and public spaces in Southampton City Centre and Eastleigh Town Centre, from Hythe and Totton into the city centre, and within residential areas. They also improved transport interchanges at Southampton Central and Eastleigh stations.

There are also now more and safer places to cross the ring road, and new traffic-free areas for walking, wheeling and cycling that connect Solent University with Central Parks, and West Quay with Bargate.

Pete Boustred, Director of Transport & Planning, Southampton City Council says: “The Walking and Cycling Index 2025 highlights the benefits that have been delivered through our joint Transforming Cities programme with Hampshire County Council. Future walking, wheeling and cycling improvements spanning the next three years are set out in the Connected Southampton Implementation Plan. This includes continuing to make school journeys safer and more attractive by walking, wheeling and cycling.”

The Walking and Cycling Index is a partnership project between Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council.

The report supports local and national decision-makers by providing robust evidence on what is working, and where further action is needed, to help more people choose to walk, wheel or cycle their everyday journeys.

You can download a digital version of the report here:  walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/walking-cycling-index/southampton-city-region