A bold call for action has been made by over 50 transport and public health groups, urging a clear focus on walking and cycling in England. These groups, including renowned organizations like British Cycling, Cycling UK, and the National Trust, have a powerful message for the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander.
They demand a shift from vague intentions to a concrete, long-term national plan for active travel, comparable to established transport programs for roads and rail. The current approach, they argue, is too short-term and fragmented, despite active travel accounting for a significant portion of all trips.
The controversy arises here: While the government promises unprecedented funding for walking, wheeling, and cycling, and is consulting on the third cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS3), promising a "fundamental shift", there are concerns that the momentum is stalling. Some believe the Department for Transport (DfT) under Alexander is less engaged than her predecessor, Louise Haigh.
But here's where it gets interesting: A letter, signed by influential groups like the Association of Directors of Public Health and Ramblers, takes a constructive approach. It calls for equal footing for active travel, with clear targets to be met by 2030. The letter suggests that 50% of trips under five miles in towns and cities should be walked, wheeled, or cycled by then.
The letter warns that CWIS3's objectives, such as "ensuring people are safe to travel actively", are too vague and not measurable. It argues for predictable five-year cycles and transparent progress reporting, akin to other transport modes.
And this is the part most people miss: The letter proposes a national strategy for active travel networks, ensuring routes are coherent, connected, and accessible to all. These routes should link key destinations like transport hubs, hospitals, and schools.
"Without reliable, safe, and joined-up routes, people cannot be reasonably expected to travel actively," the letter states, emphasizing the impact on health, opportunities, and independence throughout life.
Xavier Brice, CEO of Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, one of the signatories, highlights that CWIS3 was intended to provide a long-term framework for active travel, but it hasn't delivered on that promise. Without targets, even the strategy's existing goal for active travel to be safe and accessible by 2035 is unachievable, he says.
A DfT spokesperson responded, stating their commitment to Active Travel England with £616m up to 2030, aiming for walking, wheeling, and cycling to be easy, safe, and accessible for all by 2035. They encourage stakeholders and the public to contribute to the consultation on achieving this vision.
