Wales’ dream of a safer future that has been slowed to a crawl – Wales Online
Money is being invested in cycling infrastructure yet progress in getting more people to walk or bicycle is painfully slow.
One of Cardiff’s most dangerous junctions, where Leckwith road, Atlas Road, Wellington Street and Kitchener Road meet, demonstrates the challenges faced by pedestrians and cyclists. This chaotic junction, also on the route to school for many children, highlights the struggle to promote sustainable travel in Cardiff. Despite significant funding and the Active Travel Act of 2013, progress in reducing car usage remains stagnant.
According to the Active Travel Board’s annual report, there has been a lack of coordination, missing data, and slow progress in achieving active travel targets. The report reveals a decline in primary school children using greener transport options and little increase in adults commuting actively. The board stresses the need for improved infrastructure and better government coordination to promote walking and cycling.
Chair of the Active Travel Board, Dafydd Trystan, acknowledges the challenges, especially at critical junctions like at Wellington Street. He emphasises the importance of creating safe routes for schoolchildren to encourage active travel. Despite recent funding increases, the report indicates minimal behavioural change towards active travel.
Currently, Wales spends an average of £19 per head on active travel annually, aiming to increase active travel to 39% of all journeys by 2030. However, progress towards this target has been slow, with concerns over the effectiveness of current investments.
Efforts to promote walking, cycling, and wheeling are essential for a healthier and greener Wales. The Active Travel Board’s report calls for more high-quality cycle routes, safer walking paths, and increased collaboration between government departments to boost active travel participation.