Wales’ aspiration for a safer future through increased active travel has faced significant obstacles, with progress moving at a sluggish pace. Despite substantial investment in cycling infrastructure, the push to encourage more individuals to walk or cycle remains disappointingly slow.
One of the challenging spots shining a spotlight on this issue is the junction where Atlas Road, Leckwith Road, Kitchener Road, and Wellington Street intersect in Cardiff’s Canton suburb. This location serves as a stark contrast between Cardiff’s dual-lane protected cycle network and the chaos that ensues, especially for pedestrians and cyclists. The junction is a crucial route for students attending Fitzalan High School or Ysgol Pwll Coch primary school, yet the safety concerns persist.
Dafydd Trystan, head of the Active Travel Board, recently unveiled the board’s annual report, emphasising the nation’s sluggish advancement in reducing car dependency. Despite substantial funding, progress towards promoting active travel, as mandated by the 2013 Active Travel Act, has been minimal. The report highlights a lack of coordination, insufficient data, and slow advancements in achieving set targets.
Trystan expressed concerns about the slow pace of progress, citing the need for improved infrastructure to support safe travel to schools and increase active travel participation. The report reveals the challenges in increasing active travel, with a specific focus on walking, wheeling, and cycling for practical journeys and the importance of enhancing existing infrastructure to promote these modes of transport.
The report indicates that although funding for active travel has increased in recent years, behavioural changes are yet to be observed. While efforts are being made to promote active travel, significant strides are still required to achieve the ambition of becoming an active travel nation. The report calls for comprehensive strategies to develop high-quality cycle routes, safer walking paths, and enhanced coordination among government departments.
In conclusion, the report underlines the critical need to accelerate progress in active travel initiatives to improve public health, reduce carbon emissions, and alleviate congestion. It is evident that while investments have been made, effective measures must be implemented to drive substantial change towards a more active-travel-friendly Wales.