The Welsh Government has announced that it is investing significant funding into improving active travel journeys around the country.
Walking and cycling routes are being boosted by £58 million of funding from the Welsh Government, taking active travel spending from £15 million, to £70 million since 2018. This equates to £22 per person in Wales, a significant increase on the £1 per head that is spent in on active travel in England.
This funding is being allocated to the construction of 37 new walking and cycling routes in Wales, with an additional 22 using investment to continue development. Safe Routes in Communities Schemes are also to benefit. Alongside this, the Strategic Road Network will see a £3 million boost.
Future developments and minor projects such as new crossing points, promotional work, and new bike parking in all 22 Welsh local authorities are also part of the allocation, with each council receiving a minimum investment of £500,000.
Lee Waters, Deputy Minister, said:
“Walking and cycling provides a practical and vital response to help Wales meet its environmental and health targets.
“The Active Travel (Wales) Act puts pressure on us to deliver on high-quality active travel networks that encourage more and more people to regularly walk and cycle for journeys instead of using a car.
“Today’s funding is another substantial investment that will help us deliver ambitious plans across Wales that have all been designed to connect people with where they love and where they need to go.”
The announcement was made yesterday, as public sector bodies across the United Kingdom celebrated Clean Air Day. Developments such as the ones in Wales will contribute towards encouraging additional people to taking up active travel, rather than using a car, which will help to improve the air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to health priorities.
Cabinet Member for Streetscene and the regional transport strategy at Flintshire County Council, Cllr Dave Hughes, said:
“I am delighted to receive confirmation of Welsh Government’s further funding for two very important Safe Routes in Communities schemes which aim to improve accessibility within Holywell and Flint. With these proposals we aim to improve conditions for walking and cycling by reducing traffic speeds, improving pedestrian priority, and widening footways. With the addition of green infrastructure, encouraging more people to walk and cycle more frequently.”
