6. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport: Active Travel Integrated Network Maps

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:02 pm on 27 February 2018.

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Photo of Lee Waters Lee Waters Labour 6:02, 27 February 2018

Thank you. Minister, on Monday research revealed that levels of diabetes are set to double in the next 20 years, and type 2 diabetes, in particular, linked to physical inactivity. Research yesterday shows that 70 per cent of people born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s are going to be overweight before they reach middle age. This is a public health measure being delivered by a transport department, and transport departments across the country without the skills, capacity or culture to fully grasp the opportunities of this agenda.

I welcome very much what you've said about the intention to significantly increase the investment, but we have been hearing of intentions in this Chamber, with respect, for a number of years now. You said that the first of these INMs are the starting point. This Act was passed in 2013. I started campaigning for it 11 years ago. You've described them as a solid foundation. They're exactly the same words that your predecessor, Edwina Hart, used in December 2015 when she described the existing route maps as 'putting in place the foundations'. We need to move beyond this at scale. We need to ramp it up big time. 

You said that there's a degree of variation in the levels of ambition from local authorities, which depend on the willingness and belief in this agenda. It shouldn't rely on local authorities depending in this agenda. There is an Act of this Parliament that requires them to come forward with plans. There is design guidance that sets out very clearly the requirement for a basic network, and for a 15-year vision. I'm very pleased that you have sent the signal to four local authorities that what they've come up with isn't good enough, but I really do fear—and the cross-party group on active travel that I chair has brought together groups from all across Wales—and the evidence is consistent: there is a lethargy and a lack of ambition right across Wales and, on behalf of local authorities, genuine difficulties in terms of capacity and senior buy-in. That's why the drive needs to come from this Government. 

So, my question to you, Minister, is: you say you're going to be reviewing the active travel guidance, so what are the Welsh Government going to be doing to enforce it? That's the key point. Yes, we need the investment, and yes, we need cross-departmental buy-in, but we also need a lead from the top. This legislation is in place. It's our landmark Act. We've now got to really show we believe in this and push it home because the public health of future generations depends upon it.