Have your say about local cycling routes in Wales

Have your say about local cycling routes in Wales

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Published: 27 November 2020

The Welsh Government is pushing forward in its ambition to make active travel a realistic alternative by making it easier for people to tell their local councils where existing routes need to be improved and new routes built.

An interactive map to gather opinions from communities about local walking and cycling paths is being launched today in several areas across Wales.  

Hosted by Commonplace, the website invites people to let their local councils know where they’d like to see improvements to walking and cycling paths. This could be because routes are interrupted, feel unsafe or even don’t exist where they are needed. Each area will have its own Commonplace website which members of the public can access via a national page and people are encouraged to share with their friends, families and colleagues so that as many people as possible have their say.

 

Welsh Cycling CEO Anne Adams-King welcomed the launch of the website “We have seen a considerable increase in the number of people falling back in love with the bicycle this year due to the pandemic, This website will allow our members to input ideas to help planners take the appropriate actions and help make cycling more enjoyable become the default mode of transport for short local journeys within Wales.”

 

Welsh Cycling has already met with a number of the local authorities in recent months to provide support for plans to encourage more people to cycle for both recreation and transportation as well as support for our #ChooseCycling campaign.

 

Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport Lee Waters wants to see significant growth in people making short journeys on foot or on a bike and therefore that people who live in the area fully involved when Councils develop active travel network maps which plan for where major improvements will be made over the next 15 year period.

He said:

“We want to tackle the many barriers that people face when considering whether to make their everyday journeys by walking and cycling. We have greatly stepped up investment in walking and cycling improvements over the last few years to ensure we have high quality infrastructure and will continue to do so. But this investment will only lead to people choosing to travel differently if it really meets their needs.”

“We want to capture people’s local knowledge while it is still fresh in their minds. Where did their active travel journeys became difficult? Were there areas where they felt unsafe? Are there any places where they couldn’t continue their journeys? Are there journeys they’d like to walk and cycle but don’t feel safe doing so?

 

Chair of the Active Travel Board Dr Dafydd Trystan Davies said:

“We want to see people in Wales choosing to walk or cycle for shorter journeys. This is a great opportunity for people to tell us what is stopping them from travelling actively at the moment and suggesting improvements and new routes to their local Councils.

I am committed to ensuring that the significant investment that Welsh Government is making in active travel is based on the needs of local communities. This website will form an important part of improving the provision of active travel which will benefit the environment, health and the economy for all. I know of the enthusiasm within local areas for further developments and look forward to all Councils engaging with the website and further developing ambitious plans during the next 12 months.”

CommonPlace Website

Choose Cycling Page