Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013
| Act of the National Assembly for Wales | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act of the National Assembly for Wales to make provision for the mapping of active travel routes and related facilities and for and in connection with integrated network maps; for securing that there are new and improved active travel routes and related facilities; for requiring the Welsh Ministers and local authorities to take reasonable steps to enhance the provision made for, and to have regard to the needs of, walkers and cyclists; for requiring functions under the Act to be exercised so as to promote active travel journeys and secure new and improved active travel routes and related facilities; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2013 anaw 7 |
| Introduced by | Carl Sargeant |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 4 November 2013 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 7) (Welsh: Deddf Teithio Llesol (Cymru) 2013) is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales that was given royal assent on 4 November 2013.[1]
Provisions
[edit]The act requires local authorities to continuously improve facilities and routes for pedestrians and cyclists and to prepare maps identifying current and potential future routes for their use.[2] The act also requires new road schemes (including road improvement schemes) to consider the needs of pedestrians and cyclists at design stage.[3] The law was passed after a six-year campaign led by Lee Waters, then director of Sustrans Cymru.[4]
Implementation
[edit]In 2016, 'lack of funds and leadership' and resistance from highways engineers, were among the factors blamed for the failure of the Act to deliver its potential.[5]
Implementation
[edit]In 2018, a report from the National Assembly's Economy, Infrastructure and Skills (EIS) Committee on the Active Travel Act, led by Lee Waters, found no increase in the numbers of people walking and cycling to work; the numbers going to school had actually declined.[6] The report blamed a lack of leadership in councils and the Welsh Government.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Welsh Government - Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013". gov.wales. 4 November 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ "AMs vote for Active Travel Bill". Democracy Live. BBC News. 1 October 2013. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ "Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 - National Assembly for Wales". assembly.wales. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ Price, Emily (15 May 2024). "Lee Waters named in UK top 50 list of political change-makers". Nation.Cymru. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ "'Lack of funds and leadership' in active travel law". BBC News. 22 February 2016. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ "The Active Travel Act: 10 years on". Senedd Research. 9 November 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ "No increase in cycling in Wales despite active travel law". BBC News. 24 May 2018. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2018.