Senedd Committee Warns Wales Is Falling Behind on Active Travel Ambitions

A cross-party committee at the Senedd has raised serious concerns about the pace of progress on active travel in Wales, warning that the country is drifting off course in its efforts to significantly increase walking and cycling over the next 15 years.

The Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee (PAPAC) said that the Welsh Government’s ambition for nearly half of all journeys to be made by sustainable transport by 2040 is at risk unless there is a fundamental rethink of how schemes are planned, funded and delivered. In its latest report, the committee called for stronger national leadership, guaranteed long-term investment and a much greater focus on helping people change how they travel.

Committee members highlighted weaknesses in the current system, noting that many councils lack the specialist knowledge and staffing needed to design and implement effective active travel projects. Rather than relying on individual local authority plans, the report recommends shifting to a regional delivery model, coordinated by Corporate Joint Committees with expert support from Transport for Wales.

The committee argued that while national direction is essential, policies will only succeed if they are developed collaboratively. It said the Welsh Government should work closely with delivery partners, stakeholders and local communities so that schemes reflect local needs, address barriers to access and encourage widespread use.

The report also makes clear that infrastructure alone will not deliver the desired shift in travel habits. Without a well-funded, nationwide programme to promote walking and cycling for everyday journeys—such as commuting, shopping and school travel—the committee warned the 2040 target is unlikely to be met.

In addition, the committee called for clearer performance measures and improved monitoring of outcomes, saying progress must be tracked consistently across regions. It stressed the importance of evaluating whether investment is delivering real behavioural change, rather than simply increasing the length of new routes on paper.

Speaking after the report’s publication, PAPAC Chair Mark Isherwood MS described active travel as a key part of creating a healthier, lower-carbon Wales, but said progress so far has been far too slow. He called on ministers to adopt a regional approach to delivery, with Transport for Wales taking a leading role in providing coordination and technical expertise, which he said would help raise standards and improve value for money.

Mr Isherwood also stressed the importance of engaging communities at every stage and of persuading people to rely less on their cars. He said successful active travel policies should deliver multiple benefits, from improved public health to reduced emissions and more liveable neighbourhoods.

While acknowledging recent reports of incremental improvements in walking and cycling across Wales, the committee concluded that significant barriers remain. Both its own findings and those of the Active Travel Board, Mr Isherwood noted, point to the need for decisive action if Wales is to meet its long-term ambitions.