Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 34
34
Accepted
Poor footway infrastructure remains a key barrier to achieving active travel targets.
Recommendation
We questioned the Department on other challenges that local authorities are facing where updated guidance from the Department would be helpful. On active travel the Government has set a target of 50% of all short journeys being made by walking or cycling by 2030. The Department acknowledged that poor-quality infrastructure is a key barrier to achieve this and would be looking to update its Code of Practice with a greater 70 C&AG’s Report, para 3 and 15 71 C&AG’s Report, 3.2 72 Qq 56-58 73 LRE0011, Written evidence submitted by The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) Ltd 74 Qq 58, 84 18 emphasis on footway maintenance.75 The Department also told us that all aspects of road safety will be considered as part of its development of a road safety strategy, recognising our example of the use of LED street lighting for energy efficiency but which can make pedestrians and cyclists feel less safe using the roads.76 Future challenges
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation to refresh the Code of Practice by September 2026, commissioning TRL to develop a scope for updated guidance, which will include addressing gaps such as active travel infrastructure and road safety.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: September 2026 6.2 The government agrees that the current guidance that has been provided to local highway authorities through the ‘Code of Practice for Well Managed Highway Infrastructure’ document should be refreshed. The department has commissioned TRL to work with the sector to develop a scope for the refreshed guidance regarding where there may be gaps in the current guidance, such as around some environmental matters. The department will consider further whether, and if so how, local highway authorities might be required to comply with certain best practice criteria set out in the revised guidance to qualify for some or all of the funding. 6.3 The update to the code of practice is currently estimated to take between 12 and 18 months, so it will not be feasible to link it to the incentive element directly, which will be in place from quarter one in financial year 2025-26.