Active Travel Strategy Announced

An Action Plan to progress the Executive’s Active Travel Strategy has been published today by Transport Minister Danny Kennedy.

The Plan will cover the period up to 2015 and sets out measures that will be taken by government departments, local authorities and voluntary bodies to encourage more cycling and walking and less dependency on private cars.

So far the strategy has delivered a number of initiatives including:

• The opening of the Comber Greenway to Titanic Quarter Cycle Route;

• The Northern Ireland Civil Service 'Cycle to Work Scheme'

• £2.4m spent by the Department of Regional Development to provide 8km of new footway, 3.7km of cycle lanes, 22 new pelican crossings and 19 safe routes to school schemes.

Danny Kennedy said: "I have been very impressed by the quality and range of Active Travel initiatives that have been delivered to date and by the many new and innovative projects which will be taken forward over the next two years.

"The response from local Councils has been most encouraging. Altogether, 19 Councils have brought forward initiatives, either individually or in partnership with other bodies for inclusion in the action plan. I look forward to their continuing co-operation over the coming years to deliver the vision for walking and cycling."

(IT/CD)