The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has been urged to "start taking active travel seriously" by Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA, following a critical report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office.

The report, titled ‘Active Travel in Northern Ireland’, highlights underspending for active travel, missed targets, and a failure to deliver on commitments. The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) requires the DfI to spend 10% of its overall transport budget on active travel initiatives. Mr McReynolds noted that, to meet this requirement, the Department should be spending around £85 million annually, but is currently spending only about £50m a year.

The East Belfast MLA, who also Chairs the All Party Group on Active Travel, said: "It is disappointing to yet again see active travel being overlooked at a Departmental level... The report makes clear the Department for Infrastructure is failing to meet its targets and obligations."

Mr McReynolds called the significant underspend "evident through the failure of targets being met for the use of active travel methods." He insisted that the Department must produce a "detailed timetable of their aims and how they are going to achieve them and then stick to their commitments" to ensure the continued growth of the sector and its associated health and environmental benefits.