A Senedd Committee has called for urgent action to accelerate Active Travel Ambitions in Wales.
As Chair of the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood led the Debate on the Committee’s report: “Active Travel in Wales”.
He said that Active Travel is an integral part of the Welsh Government's ambition for a healthier and more sustainable Wales.
Drawing on the work of Audit Wales and evidence from stakeholders across the public and third sectors, the Committee found clear progress in infrastructure and increased investment. However, Members concluded that the pace of change has fallen short of the Welsh Government's ambitions.
Leading the Debate in the Senedd this week, Mr Isherwood said:
"It was apparent to the Committee that whilst there have been successes, with increased investment and demonstrable progress with infrastructure, there remain significant challenges which are exacerbated by capacity constraints, a lack of robust data to support delivery and a lack of focus on cultural and behavioural change."
He added:
"Whilst the Welsh Government’s goals for active travel are ambitious, it’s clear that the pace of change has fallen short of these.
"The Committee heard about the capacity constraints facing local authorities and a mixed picture across the country, with larger, more urban, authorities benefitting from expertise and resources not available to smaller, more rural, authorities.
"These capacity constraints are exacerbated by short term funding settlements, with very little certainty for longer-term active travel projects. It’s also clear that the balance between capital and revenue funding has not been judged correctly, resulting in insufficient resources to deliver behaviour change initiatives, which are a crucial accompaniment to capital investment expenditure.
"The Committee’s Recommendation 2 on prioritising multi-year settlements must be addressed with vigour by the next Government, because, without the correct blend of capital and revenue funding, with certainty for delivery partners, the present Welsh Government’s active travel goals will not be attainable."
Referring to “an insufficient focus on behavioural change”, Mr Isherwood stated that “This requires extensive engagement and the involvement of local people, from the design phase all the way through to delivery”.
While all recommendations were accepted or accepted in principle, Mr Isherwood stressed that the Committee reiterates concerns about the continued use of "accept in principle" responses.
He further added:
"The task ahead is considerable, but with sustained commitment by the Welsh Government and real partnership working, Wales can achieve its vision of becoming an active travel nation that works for everyone."
