Walking, cycling, and ‘school streets’ get £58m Boost in Wales

In a concerted effort to cut carbon emissions and promote sustainable commuting options, Wales has committed more than £58m to the development and improvement of active travel routes.

The announcement came from Deputy Climate Change Minister, Lee Waters, on Clean Air Day, during his visit to Flintshire.

There, he witnessed the beneficial impacts of the newly established Sandy Lane to Saltney Ferry active travel route.

This funding forms part of a wider £70m budget for active travel and will be used for various interventions to overcome obstacles to the adoption of active travel, as well as for collaborative active travel schemes.

The investment has been increased since 2018, when it was £15m, signifying a per capita spending in Wales of over £22, as compared to roughly £1 in England for the same period.

Deputy Minister Lee Waters 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.”

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene and the regional transport strategy, Councillor 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 these areas will provide an attractive and safe environment, encouraging more people to walk and cycle more frequently.”

The new £58m will see the construction of 37 new active travel routes and the detailed development of a further 22.

It will also be spent on 30 local authority Safe Routes in Communities schemes, with £3m for the Strategic Road Network.

Additionally, as part of this pot all 22 local authorities will receive a minimum of £500k which can be used for future scheme developments and minor works such as new crossing points, promotional work and new cycle parking.