7. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Active Travel

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:52 pm on 20 February 2019.

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Photo of Lee Waters Lee Waters Labour 5:52, 20 February 2019

Well, that is a correct challenge. There is not enough resource, either at the Welsh Government level or at the local government level, to really make this agenda fly. For example, today, officials are assessing the latest round of Safe Routes in Communities bids. For a £5 million pot, we have only had £6 million-worth of bids. This is the lowest number of bids that we've ever had, and the quality of the bids is, at best, variable. Now, I think that reflects the fact that the local government workforce has been depleted, and they are struggling to get the time and expertise to submit good-quality bids. That is not in anyone's interest, to make this agenda achievable. [Interruption.] I haven't finished the point, but I'm happy to give way.