More than £38m has been pledged to improving Wales’ cycling and walking networks as part of attempts to permanently change the nation’s travel habits in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
The cash injection – billed by the Welsh Government as forming part of the largest-ever investment in local active travel improvements in Wales – will fund projects aimed at creating safer routes for children and adults to get to school and work on foot, by bike or by scooter.
But the funding boost came with a warning that progress towards providing genuine alternatives to car travel has been too slow across Wales, with a failure to achieve meaningful change in public behaviour.
The largest single investment announced under the plans – just under £2.8m – will go towards the first stage of creating so-called cycle superhighways across Cardiff.
Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, said that together with the £15.4m announced last month, this is the largest ever investment in local active travel improvements in Wales, which will fund projects to make it safer for children and adults to get to school or work on foot, bike or scooter.
Schemes include £259,500 to build a walkway over the railway bridge near Ysgol Ty Fynnon in Shotton and install of cycle friendly traffic calming features along King George Street. The funding will also improve an existing footpath to provide better access to the Job Centre, swimming pool and library.
In Neath Port Talbot, £205,000 will be used to implement 20mph speed limits outside six schools, as well as improving road markings and laying anti-skid surfacing to make it far safer for children walking and cycling to school.
Mr Waters, who is the former CEO of transport charity Sustrans Cymru, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has completely changed our lives. It stopped our daily routines in their tracks and has forced us all to live differently.
“Coronavirus has brought much hardship and tragedy. It has also presented us with a golden opportunity for change – one which I am determined to grasp with both hands.
“More people than ever before are walking and cycling to work, visit friends and pop to the shop. With fewer cars on the road, first-time cyclists have had the confidence to rent, borrow or buy a bike, rather than reaching for the car keys.
“However, as coronavirus restrictions ease and our roads become busier, it’s vital our roads remain walking and cycle-friendly if a long term change to our travel habits is to succeed.
“This £38m is a very significant investment in creating safe travel routes and better connections in our towns and cities, so people still have the confidence to cycle and walk around Wales even when our lives return to normal.”
Ryland Jones, Sustrans Cymru deputy director, said: " We’ve seen a big increase in the numbers of people choosing to walk, cycle or scoot during the lockdown period. As life begins to return to normal and our roads get busier, it’s vital that people keep seeing active travel as a safe and viable option, or we risk returning to car dominance.
"Welsh Government needs to enable more people to leave their cars at home, and walk, cycle or scoot for short trips - particularly in our towns and cities.
"The £38m investment will go a long way in helping to make our communities healthier and happier places to live."
