Audit Wales has released a report indicating that the Welsh Government’s goals for active travel are still significantly unmet. The report highlights an increase in funding through the Active Travel Fund but notes that overall rates of active travel have not improved in recent years. Audit Wales calls for better evidence to monitor progress and evaluate the value of investments made.
Active travel encompasses walking and cycling, often in combination with public transportation, for daily activities such as commuting to work or school, and accessing health or leisure services. It differs from recreational walking and cycling.
The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 was introduced to boost active travel rates and places responsibilities on Welsh Ministers and local authorities to support this initiative.
Since the fund’s inception in 2018, the Active Travel Fund has significantly increased its financial support for local authorities to enhance active travel infrastructure. Expenditure by local authorities grew from £20 million in 2018-19 to £46 million in 2023-24, totaling £218 million over this period.
For 2024-25, the Welsh Government has allocated £65 million to active travel initiatives, with the Active Travel Fund being the primary source. However, Audit Wales points out that the full extent of government and public service spending on active travel is not entirely transparent.
Despite the increased funding and a comprehensive delivery plan, Audit Wales reports that the Welsh Government is still far from achieving the significant improvements in active travel envisioned by the Act. The available data suggests no recent improvements in active travel rates, with walking rates remaining below pre-pandemic levels. In 2022-23, 51% of people reported walking at least once a week for active travel purposes, compared to 60% in 2019-20, while cycling rates have remained relatively unchanged.
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