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