On 10/05/2012 17:22, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
Sustrans has welcomed what it describes as "ground-breaking" plans by
the Welsh Assembly Government to make it a legal requirement for local
authorities to provide cycling and walking routes, with the proposals,
contained in the Active Travel (Wales) Bill announced in a White Paper
yesterday, described as the first of their kind in the world.

The bill will require local authorities in the principality to devise
and deliver safe, traffic-free routes, including cycle paths, that link
schools, hospitals and shopping areas, and comes after a five-year
campaign from Sustrans Cymru.

The proposals have cross-party support and are also backed by
organisations such as the British Medical Association, Royal Mail and
BT, as well as the Children's Commissioner for Wales.

Malcolm Shepherd, chief executive of the sustainable transport charity,
said: "This is a ground-breaking move by the Welsh government that will
help people get around more safely, cheaply and healthily.

"People all over the UK want to cycle and walk more for every day
journeys but are held back by safety concerns.

"Walking and cycling are the answers to the UK's rocketing fuel bill and
expanding waistline but getting around actively must be made safer and
easier across the country."

Responses are invited to the issues addressed in the White Paper, a copy
of which can be downloaded at the end of this article, with the Welsh
Government canvassing views on whether local authorities should be
required to:
?identify and map the network of routes within their areas that are safe
and appropriate for walking and cycling
?identify and map the enhancements that would be required to create a
fully integrated network for walking and cycling and develop a
prioritised list of schemes to deliver the network
?deliver an enhanced network subject to budget availability and
following due process
?consider the potential for enhancing walking and cycling provision in
the development of new road schemes.

The proposals were formally launched yesterday at the Senedd building in
Cardiff Bay by Welsh Transport Minister Carl Sargeant, who said: "The
White Paper for the Active Travel Bill sets out an ambitious and radical
plan to dramatically increase the numbers of people walking and cycling
in Wales.

"I see this Bill as a landmark step in further developing a truly
sustainable transport network in Wales and reflects the Welsh
Government's commitment to green transport," he continued.

"In addition to the obvious health benefits of walking and cycling this
Bill will have a positive impact on improving safety for both cyclists
and pedestrians, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and reduce
congestion within our towns and cities.

"We want to make walking and cycling the most natural and normal way of
making short everyday journeys. I would urge people to have their say
and get involved in this consultation," Mr Sargeant added.

http://road.cc/content/news/57947-wa...e-safe-walking


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Simon Mason


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Dave - Cyclists VOR. "Many people barely recognise the bicycle as a
legitimate mode of transport; it is either a toy for children or a
vehicle fit only for the poor and/or strange," Dave Horton - Lancaster
University