Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted
DfT has made limited progress integrating active travel schemes into wider transport planning.
Conclusion
Active travel is one of many options of transport that individuals can choose from to make their journeys. In its 2020 publication Gear Change: a bold vision for cycling and walking, DfT identified that limited integration with other transport and planning policy had contributed to inconsistent provision of active travel infrastructure in local areas and was a barrier to increasing rates of active travel. The NAO found, however, that DfT had made limited progress with the actions it set out in Gear Change to integrate active travel into transport planning. It also found that DfT had not taken the steps required to ensure that active travel schemes are sufficiently joined-up with wider transport infrastructure, for example enabling people to safely walk to bus stops or take their bike on the bus.49
Government Response Summary
The government agreed, detailing new Network North funding to encourage integrated local transport solutions. By April 2024, DfT and ATE will establish how ATE design tools can best support active travel and public transport integration and how ATE's Inspectorate will review related schemes.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: April 2024 5.2 The Prime Minister announced new funding for local transport (‘Network North’) on 4 October 2023. This represents a significant and long-term increase in funding for many local authorities and the department will encourage them to invest in integrated local transport solutions. 5.3 ATE will ensure that any funding for active travel delivered via Network North is compliant with applicable design standards, that it is value for money and is appropriately linked in with the wider transport network. This has already been agreed in correspondence between the Secretary of State for Transport and Chris Boardman (active travel commissioner and chair of ATE) and mirrors the approach taken by ATE in respect of other grant funding, such as the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements. 5.4 By April 2024, the department and ATE will reach a clear and agreed position on how ATE design tools for local authorities can be best utilised to support integration between active travel and public transport. This will include how ATE will prioritise its Inspectorate function to review schemes intended to integrate active travel and other forms of transport.