3. 3. Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Active Travel

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:48 pm on 12 October 2016.

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Photo of Rebecca Evans Rebecca Evans Labour 3:48, 12 October 2016

Local authorities are very aware of how seriously Welsh Government takes the implementation of the Act and one of the first things that I did after coming into post was to remind them of their duties under the Act, but it’s not just that this is a responsibility of people in travel; actually it’s a responsibility of people in local government right across. So, local authorities now are preparing their integrated maps and we will see developments in the future to fill those gaps that people are identifying through the project that Janet Finch-Saunders mentioned. It’s the campaign by Cycling UK, Living Streets, Sustrans Cymru and Welsh Cycling in order to help people to engage with the process and let the local authorities know exactly where they need local improvements to cycling and walking networks.

So, in relation to the fourth point of the motion, we do agree how important that local engagement is. We can and will, however, continue to provide the leadership at a national level to support local authorities in their work. So, I think it’s really clear from the thoughtful contributions that we’ve had to the debate today that we all agree on the important role that physical activity plays in keeping us all physically and mentally well. I do hope that this Government’s commitment to this area—not least through the prominence given to it in our programme for government, but also through the bringing together of responsibilities in this area into one portfolio—is clear for Members to see and we look forward to future support in the active travel agenda.