Agenda item

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on activities undertaken by Carmarthenshire County Council in fulfilment of its duties under the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013. In addition to the delivery of new walking and cycling schemes the authority had included Active Travel facilities as an element of larger Highways developments. The authority also upheld the principles of the Act in its planning function, ensuring that the needs of walkers and cyclists were considered in permissive development, as outlined in the Highways Design Guide. Whilst, however, Welsh Government had recently increased the level of capital funding available across Wales it was considered that there was evidence of a significant shift to awarding funding to urban settlements and this had been reflected in the recently announced response to the Authority’s Active Travel Fund Bid 2019/20. Of concern was the negative impact this would have on more rural authorities such as Carmarthenshire which in turn would have a major impact on the Twyi Valley Path. Members were informed that officers, together with the Leader and the Executive Board Member for Environment, had recently met with the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, Lee Waters AM, to discuss how the Authority could ensure that it received the necessary level of funding to ensure that Carmarthenshire could fulfil its ambition of becoming the cycling hub of Wales. He had not been of the opinion, however, that leisure cycling could be categorised as ‘active travel’.   

The following issues were raised on the report:-

·       In response to a query it was stated that there had been positive feedback from the cycle forum steering group in regard to the Authority’s development of the cycling infrastructure; 

·       Members were advised, in response to funding concerns, that whilst the Abergwili to Whitemill section of the Towy Valley Path had been completed land ownership issues remained over other parts of the proposed route which were being progressed in line with the Authority’s commitment to complete the scheme;

·       Disappointment was expressed with the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport’s view as to what constituted ‘active travel’ and the outcome of the Active Travel Fund Bid and it was suggested, particularly as the Deputy Minister was a Carmarthenshire AM, that the Committee’s disappointment be conveyed to him in a letter. Members were assured that the Authority would continue to develop active travel opportunities;

·       The Head of Highways and Transportation, in response to a query, gave an update on Phase 2 of the Ammanford to Cross Hands Masterplan which would eventually see a link established with the Millennium Coastal Path, Llanelli;

·       Highways staff were thanked for all their work in preparing the routes for the two major cycling races which had recently visited Carmarthenshire;

·       The Transport Strategy & Infrastructure Manager agreed to ascertain take up on the cycle to work scheme.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

                   8.1 that the report be received;

                   8.2 that the Chair liaise with the Executive Board Member for Environment to compose a letter to the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport along the lines referred to above.