Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013
The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 (‘the Act’) makes provision—
- for approved maps of existing active travel routes and related facilities in a local authority’s area,
- for approved integrated network maps of the new and improved active travel routes and related facilities needed to create integrated networks of active travel routes and related facilities in a local authority’s area,
- requiring local authorities to have regard to integrated network maps in preparing transport policies and to secure that there are new and improved active travel routes and related facilities,
- requiring the Welsh Ministers to report on active travel in Wales,
- requiring the Welsh Ministers and local authorities, in the performance of functions under the Highways Act 1980, to take reasonable steps to enhance the provision made for walkers and cyclists and to have regard to the needs of walkers and cyclists in the exercise of certain other functions, and
- requiring the Welsh Ministers and local authorities to exercise their functions under the Act to promote active travel journeys and secure new and improved active travel routes and related facilities.
The Explanatory Notes to the Act provide detailed commentary on the various provisions.
Coming into force
Sections 3 to 11 come into force in accordance with provision made by the Welsh Ministers by order made by statutory instrument, in accordance with section 14(1).
The following Order has been made:
The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 (Commencement) Order 2014
The other provisions of this Act came into force on 5 November 2013, which is the day after the Act received Royal Assent, in accordance with section 14(2).
Subordinate legislation made under the Act:
No subordinate legislation has yet been made under the Act.
Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd
The Bill was introduced on 18 February 2013 by Carl Sargeant AM, who was the Minister for Local Government and Communities at the time. Following a change in ministerial portfolios in March 2013, the First Minister authorised John Griffiths AM, the Minister for Culture and Sport, as the new Member in Charge of the Bill, from 18 March 2013. The Bill was passed by Senedd Cymru (known then as the National Assembly for Wales) on 1 October 2013.
More information about the Bill is available on the Senedd website including a record of the passage of the Bill through Senedd Cymru and the Explanatory Memorandum that was prepared by the Welsh Government (as revised after Stage 2).
The Act received Royal Assent on 4 November 2013.
Related articles and information:
• Active Travel Act guidance | GOV.WALES
• Active travel | Transport for Wales
• Senedd Research article: Active Travel Act Five Years On – short cut or long road?