SUPPORTING A WORLD FIRSTThe Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013

David Graham Head of Strategy (Schools and workplaces)October 2015

WE ARE LIVING STREETS The UK charity for everyday walking

WALES

Capital: Cardiff

Population: 3.1 million

Area: 21,000 km2 (approx. 10% of Great Britain)

Government: Welsh Assembly (setting laws since 2006)

Density: mainly rural, larger urban areas on coasts

UK PERSPECTIVE

• Active travel is defined as a walking or cycling journey, and includes disabled people’s journeys

• Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013

• Infrastructure Act 2015 (CWIS)

• Land Reform Act (Scotland) 2003

WHAT IS THE ACTIVE TRAVEL (WALES) ACT? • World first for active travel

• Making active travel the most attractive for short journeys

• Supported by design guidance

• Work is focused in 52 localities (add map of localities)

• Welsh Minsters must:

• Promote and report on active travel journeys

• Review this Act every 5 years

WHAT IS THE ACTIVE TRAVEL (WALES) ACT? • Requirement on Welsh LAs to:

• Produce active travel maps (now and future) and publish

• Deliver improvements to routes and facilities

• Consider needs of walkers/cyclists in Highway Authority functions

• Promote active travel

LIVING STREETS’ INVOLVEMENT• Commissioned by Welsh Government

to write presentation and user needs section of design guidance

• Sat on steering group for creation of the Act

• Responded to consultations with suggestions including Community Street Audits

CURRENT NEWS

• Active Travel Board have met 3 times

• Community consultations are taking place

• Report by chair advises a £10 per head investment for active travel in Wales

• BUT, lack of investment and guidance to support the Act - LAs still have a legal responsibility

• Risks around LA budget cuts, across UK

WHY SHOULD WE BE INTERESTED?

• Designs and text guidance together

• Ministerial responsibility for promoting active travel

• Acknowledgement of leisure walking and cycling, as well as active commuting within law

livingstreets.org.uk