The Welsh Government has concluded that the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 is “sound” and requires no legislative changes, with the focus instead on improving delivery and data collection, with ‘patchy data’ being blamed for the minimal take-up of cycling in Wales. Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, told the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee that a review of the Act now published found the existing law provided the right powers, says Wrexham.com.

“The review concludes that the law itself is sound. No change needs to be made to the law itself,” Skates said. “We’ve already got the right powers, by and large. The focus is on delivery, it’s on better data, it’s about strengthening guidance and continued capacity building.”

The review follows extensive work by a cross-party group, Audit Wales, and the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee (PAPAC), who have all examined the implementation of active travel policy in Wales.

Committee member Janet Finch-Saunders MS (Conservative, Aberconwy) questioned the value for money of active travel spending, noting that £216 million had been invested but cycling levels showed 0 per cent increase when she asked previously.

“Do you think there’s going to be a better return when you get more information on this, and that there has been an increase?” she asked.

Skates acknowledged the data is “very patchy” and said the Welsh Government has commissioned comprehensive national travel data to provide a clearer picture of active travel uptake.

He pointed to the introduction of schemes in schools, including WOW trackers and active travel buses, as examples of initiatives that are beginning to change behaviour.

“It can take time to change behaviours, but, as we saw with recycling, actually, it’s young people who drive the change,” Skates said. “So, whilst it takes time, I am confident we will see more people switching to active travel.”

(Picture: Yay Images)