Welsh National Assembly introduces Active Travel Bill

Iwannahurl

The Welsh National Assembly has very recently enacted an Active Travel Bill.

According to the British Heart Foundation's National Centre for Physical Activity and Health, "the Bill will require local authorities to continuously improve facilities and routes for pedestrians and cyclists and to prepare maps identifying current and potential future routes for their use. The Bill will also require new road schemes to consider the needs of pedestrians and cyclists at design stage."

"Specifically, the Bill makes provision:

• requiring local authorities to make continuous improvement in the range and quality of active travel routes and related facilities
• for consideration of the potential for enhancing walking and cycling provision in the development of new road schemes
• for approved maps of existing active travel routes and related facilities
• for approved integrated network maps of the new and improved active travel routes and related facilities
• requiring local authorities to consider integrated network maps in preparing transport policies.

The Welsh Government is seeking to use legislation to reinforce the idea of active travel as a viable mode of transport and a suitable alternative to motorised transport for shorter journeys. The ultimate aim of the legislation is to create an environment where it is safer and more practical to walk and cycle than it is at present."

See also:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/wales-21477567

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-sustrans/media/news-releases/active-travel-bill-has-potential-to-be-as-effective-as-smoking-ban?dm_i=6EB,1AY2V,1570SS,4F11A,1

Groundbreaking public policy, or much ado about nothing new?

Chris_5339762

Much ado about nothing. The UK will probably take a much needed motorway scheme, water it down to a DC with roundabouts after 10 years, then remove one running lane from each direction for bus lanes and cycle lanes after another 5 years. They'll also put on a 30 speed limit.

To be honest, I balk at most of the 'transport' plans that happen over there, they are depressing

lockon...

My experience of the UK road network is that they rarely have a decent hard shoulder.

Iwannahurl

Not even to cry on?