ACTIVE TRAVEL DELIVERY PLAN CONSULTATION
Why is an Active Travel Delivery Plan Needed?
By providing attractive travel options, we empower people to make more sustainable choices. With safe, reliable, and accessible active travel infrastructure, individuals are more likely to embrace healthier alternatives to driving. This shift can lead to more vibrant places where traffic congestion and air quality are less of an issue and our streets feel safer and more pleasant for everyone.
While we have the Belfast Cycle Network Delivery Plan and the Strategic Plan for Greenways, up until now there was no plan for the North for the delivery of active travel infrastructure. Historically, delivery has sometimes leaned towards less technically complex schemes, resulting in a lack of consistency and connectivity. Without a unified plan, many areas remain underserved by active travel options, limiting the overall impact of the investment.
The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 underscores the crucial role of active travel in addressing climate goals. It mandates the development of sectoral plans for transport which set a minimum spend on active travel from the overall transport budgets of 10%. Meeting this commitment will require a significant increase in investment.
A comprehensive plan is essential to maximise the benefits of this increased investment. Our long-term vision is to create a seamless, integrated network that allows more people, regardless of age or ability, to choose active travel. Our vision also focused on consistency in design, ensuring that new infrastructure meets the highest levels of safety and accessibility.