Active travel in England

Public Accounts Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 24 May 2023 Closed: 14 Feb 2024 Parliament page
Active Travel describes people making their everyday ‘journeys for a purpose’, for example their commute to work, by walking, cycling or skating, rather than motorised transport. The Department of Transport (DfT) owns active travel policy, and in 2017 and 2022 published cycling and walking investment strategies which set out its … Read more
4 Recommendations
27 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
3 Letters
1 Event
Activity timeline 7 events
14 Feb
2024
Report published
3 Nov
2023
Report published
11 Sep
2023
Correspondence
7 Sep
2023
Correspondence
19 Jul
2023
Oral evidence
19 Jul
2023
Correspondence
19 Jul
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
19 Jul 2023
View on parliament.uk
Active travel in England
Dame Bernadette Kelly DCB · Department for Transport Danny Williams · Active Travel England Jessica Matthew · Department for Transport
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active travel in England HC 1335 3 Nov 2023 31 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
31 results
2 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Publish a review of active travel objectives and improved progress monitoring in Treasury Minute response.
DfT is not on track to meet its objectives to increases rates of active travel by 2025. DfT told us that its targets to increase active travel were deliberately ambitious. They include objectives to double rates of cycling and to … Read more
Government Response
The government states it uses National Travel Survey data and is working to increase its sample size. Active Travel England (ATE) is developing a revised evaluation approach for local schemes and exploring locally representative datasets, while also developing an impact evaluation with DLUHC.
HM Treasury
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3 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Update Committee on plans to evaluate interventions, measure benefits, and improve active travel data.
DfT has not done enough to understand the impact and benefits of the £2.3 billion of taxpayers’ money it has spent on active travel. DfT spent £2.3 billion 6 Active travel in England funding active travel infrastructure between 2016 and … Read more
Government Response
The government states ATE has enhanced guidance for local authorities to use a new 'Active Travel Infrastructure Platform' and employed a scheme database with quarterly pulse surveys to strengthen data collection. ATE is also developing a web-based reporting portal and has strengthened grant agreements to mandate data provision from local authorities.
HM Treasury
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4 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Lead a proactive approach to promote active travel and address public safety concerns.
DfT’s communications to the public have not been enough to help tackle perceptions that active travel is unsafe or to encourage more people to take part. People’s perception of the safety of active travel is as important as actual physical … Read more
Government Response
The government intends to publish a new road safety strategy and will explore aligning it with a campaign to promote active travel benefits and communicate via local partners. It also states it previously addressed safety concerns by communicating revisions to The Highway Code via campaigns in 2022 and 2023.
HM Treasury
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5 Recommendation Deferred
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Develop a clear and consistent approach to integrate active travel with public transport.
DfT has not ensured 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 or train. DfT recognises the importance of integrating … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is undertaking research into disabled bus users to inform future infrastructure, but primarily deflects responsibility to local authorities, who 'could use' Network North funding to improve access to public transport stops. It also highlights existing guidance for local authorities on planning safe walking routes to bus stops.
HM Treasury
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6 Recommendation Rejected
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Provide local authorities with greater funding certainty and simplify active travel grant schemes.
Local authorities are being held back from delivering successful active travel interventions by the considerable uncertainty in the funding available for schemes. Since 2016, funding for active travel has been provided to local authorities through more than 36 active travel … Read more
Government Response
The government disagrees with the recommendation, explaining that while some longer-term funding exists for certain authorities via CRSTS and Network North, dedicated active travel grants are annual due to the 2021 Spending Review and cannot be changed until the next review. It expresses an ambition to simplify grant schemes in the longer term.
HM Treasury
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7 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Set out a clear plan and funding for the Bikeability Programme within three months
DfT has not set out how it plans to expand its Bikeability programme and increase the rate of children and adults receiving cycle safety training. Bikeability is an important part of how DfT promotes active travel to children and adults … Read more
Government Response
The government states that Active Travel England (ATE) announced a 2-year, £50 million funding package for Bikeability until March 2025, providing funding certainty. ATE has also commissioned a review of the program to improve efficiency and effectiveness of management arrangements.
HM Treasury
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1 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Evidence taken from DfT and Active Travel England on active travel
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Transport (DfT) and Active Travel England (ATE) about active travel in England.2
Government Response
The government agrees with the committee and states that DfT will review ATE's achievements against targets when its corporate plan expires and consider its resources for future targets. ATE's overall effectiveness as an arm's length body will be reviewed in 2025.
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8 Conclusion Rejected
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT established specific objectives for increasing active travel rates by 2025
DfT set out its most recent objectives for active travel in 2022. These are to: • increase the percentage of short journeys in towns and cities that are walked or cycled from 41% in 2019 to 46% in 2025; • … Read more
Government Response
The government disagrees with the implicit recommendation to re-evaluate the active travel objectives, stating that these will be reviewed in the 2025 report to Parliament on CWIS 2 and revised in the third CWIS, with research commissioned to inform this process.
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9 Conclusion Rejected
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Little progress made against DfT's active travel targets for 2025
In June 2023, the NAO found that the latest data showed little progress had been made against the targets set by DfT. In 2021, DfT was close to only one of its targets – to increase the percentage of short … Read more
Government Response
The government disagrees with the implicit recommendation to re-evaluate its active travel objectives, stating this will be reviewed and revised in the 2025 report to Parliament on CWIS 2 and the third CWIS, for which research has been commissioned.
HM Treasury
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10 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
National data measures are too high-level to accurately track local active travel investment
It is important for DfT to have the right data and information in place to monitor whether its active travel investments are contributing to achieving its objectives. The NAO reported that longer-term progress against achieving DfT’s objectives was uncertain due … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed, confirming work is underway to increase the National Travel Survey's sample size for better sub-national representation. ATE is developing a revised evaluation approach for local schemes, investigating locally representative datasets, and initiating a five-year Active Travel Portfolio Evaluation to be completed by 2026-27.
HM Treasury
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11 Conclusion Rejected
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT funding cuts for active travel likely hinder achieving 2025 objectives
In March 2023 in response to significant inflationary pressure, DfT announced changes to various transport investment plans. This included a £233 million reduction in its dedicated funding for active travel up to April 2025.19 We received written evidence from the … Read more
Government Response
The government disagrees with the implicit recommendation to address funding as a constraint on targets or re-evaluate objectives, stating these will be reviewed in the 2025 report to Parliament on CWIS 2 and revised in the third CWIS, with research commissioned to inform this.
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12 Conclusion Rejected
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT cannot deliver all Gear Change actions due to funding and shifting priorities
We also asked DfT about progress in delivering the Gear Change programme. The NAO found that DfT made progress against most (22 out of 33) Gear Change actions, with most progress made on measures targeting capability, including the formation of … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation, stating it does not consider it necessary to re-evaluate objectives by 2025 as they will be reviewed in the CWIS 2 report and revised in the third CWIS in 2025.
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13 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT knows too little about active travel investment outcomes due to evaluation thresholds
Active travel infrastructure is highly varied and can include, for example, cycle lanes, pedestrian crossings, pedestrianised zones, cycle parking, and school streets. The NAO reported that between 2016 and 2021, DfT spent £2.3 billion on active travel infrastructure. The NAO … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed, noting that schemes between £1m and £2m are now strongly encouraged to undertake evaluation, and those above £750,000 require an economic appraisal. They will also conduct a broader portfolio evaluation for lower-value schemes, and ATE is developing a revised evaluation approach.
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14 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT and ATE are working to standardise active travel benefits evaluation framework
DfT estimates that for every £1 invested in active travel, government will achieve around £4.30 in benefits. We therefore asked DfT about the benefits of active travel. DfT told us that active travel had many different benefits, including for health, … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, noting it has commissioned research to accurately measure funding allocation and impact for active travel interventions from 2016 to 2025. This research, covering various funding streams, is expected to conclude in April 2024.
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15 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Perceptions of safety are key barriers to increasing active travel uptake
Concerns around safety and confidence to cycle are key barriers to active travel. The NAO reported that, in 2021, around half of respondents to a DfT survey stated that safer roads would encourage them to cycle (53%) and walk (45%) … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, planning to publish a new road safety strategy focusing on vulnerable road users and explore a broader campaign promoting active travel, in conjunction with local partners. It also highlights previous Highway Code awareness campaigns and ongoing monitoring.
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16 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT's communication of Highway Code changes to the public has been ineffective.
In January 2022, DfT made changes to the Highway Code to prioritise vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.37 However, evidence we received from stakeholders suggested that DfT’s messaging around the changes made to improve safety have not been communicated … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, intending to publish a new road safety strategy and explore aligning it with a broader active travel promotion campaign, delivered with local partners. They also detail past campaigns on Highway Code changes, noting increased public awareness.
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17 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT continues to use and relaunched its 'Think!' campaign for road safety.
We asked DfT if there was more that it could do to promote the changes it had made to improve safety and encourage more people take up cycling. It told us that it recognised that communication was a big part … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed, stating it intends to publish a new road safety strategy to improve safety for vulnerable road users and will explore aligning it with a broader active travel campaign and partner communications. It also highlighted ongoing Think! campaigns that have raised awareness of Highway Code changes.
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18 Conclusion
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
A comprehensive legal framework for e-scooter use is required to address safety concerns.
There are currently 23 trials for e-scooter rentals in England but outside of these areas e-scooters are not legal on roads.44 Despite that, use of e-scooters has increased rapidly in recent years both within and beyond trial areas, sometimes with … Read more
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19 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT, ATE, and local authorities are key partners for delivering active travel policy.
DfT has overall responsibility for active travel policy in England and ATE is now responsible for delivering against DfT’s objectives to increase active travel by 2025. Local authorities are key delivery partners who deliver active travel infrastructure in local areas … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed, outlining new Network North funding for integrated transport solutions. By April 2024, DfT and ATE will agree on how ATE design tools will support active travel and public transport integration, and how the Inspectorate will review these schemes.
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20 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT has made limited progress integrating active travel schemes into wider transport planning.
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
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21 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT prioritised segregated cycle routes, neglecting integration with wider public transport modes.
We asked DfT why there had not been more focus on areas where integration was key to encouraging active travel. DfT told us that it had prioritised activity and investment on the areas where it felt it could have maximum … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the implied recommendation and will encourage local authorities to invest in integrated transport solutions through new funding. By April 2024, DfT and ATE will agree how ATE's design tools and Inspectorate function can best support integration between active travel and public transport.
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22 Recommendation Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Investment in public transport must be integrated with active travel for safe pedestrian access.
ATE expects the largest increases in rates of active travel participation will come from more people walking and wheeling, rather than cycling. It recognised that buses and trams can increase the number of walking trips taken..51 However, ATE told us … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, outlining plans for research into disabled bus/coach user experience to improve roadside infrastructure. It noted Network North funding enables local authorities to improve access to public transport stops, and ATE will ensure new active travel routes to bus stops are effectively designed and delivered.
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23 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Over half of local authorities demonstrate low active travel capability and ambition.
The NAO reported that DfT expects ATE to have a key role in developing the capability of local authorities. This includes the ability of local authorities to plan local transport networks where active travel is integrated with other modes. ATE … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the implied recommendation regarding local authority capability, stating it is implemented. It details current scheme monitoring and evaluation thresholds, and notes ATE is developing revised evaluation approaches while continuing to assess and rate local authority capability, with revised ratings planned for 2024.
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24 Conclusion Rejected
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Funding uncertainty for active travel hinders local authorities' strategic planning and scheme delivery.
In 2018, as part of our examination of the financial sustainability of local authorities, we said that good financial planning within local authorities relied on certainty and stability of funds, while financial uncertainty created risks to value for money.55 Active … Read more
Government Response
The government disagrees with the implied recommendation to resolve funding uncertainty for active travel. While some multi-year funding exists, other dedicated active travel grants remain annual due to HM Treasury approvals, which cannot be revisited until the next Spending Review.
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25 Recommendation Rejected
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Examine simplifying active travel grant schemes and requirements for all local authorities.
The NAO’s analysis identified that there had been 36 different central government funds for active travel since 2016, some of which had multiple funding rounds. These funds often had different conditions and bidding requirements which local authorities must navigate to … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation to simplify grant schemes, citing HM Treasury's annual funding approvals for dedicated active travel grants. While recognising the need for multi-year certainty and aiming for fewer, more joined-up schemes in the longer term, current constraints prevent immediate simplification.
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26 Conclusion Rejected
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Short-term active travel funding hinders strategic planning and risks misprioritisation.
The short-term nature of funding for active travel is also problematic and this was a recurrent theme in the submissions that we received from stakeholders.60 The Local Government Association told us that “uncertainty over the level or duration of funding … Read more
Government Response
The government disagrees with the implicit recommendation, acknowledging the need for multi-year funding but stating that dedicated active travel grants are yearly due to Treasury approvals. They will seek to manage fewer, more joined-up grant schemes long-term, reflected in the 2025 CWIS.
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27 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Bikeability Programme effectively provides cycle training and builds rider confidence.
The Bikeability Programme plays an important role in providing children and adults with cycle training and skills, helping develop confidence to cycle safely.67 It helps teach practical skills through instructor-led training sessions. The Bikeability Programme is managed and developed by … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, providing a 2-year, £50 million funding package for the Bikeability programme until March 2025. A review has also been commissioned to improve the programme's efficiency and effectiveness.
HM Treasury
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28 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT failing to meet Bikeability expansion commitment and active travel objectives.
In 2020, DfT announced it would expand its Bikeability programme and committed to offering cycling skills to all children in England. However, DfT has not yet completed its plans for expanding the Bikeability Programme and could not tell us when … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, providing a 2-year, £50 million funding package for the Bikeability programme until March 2025. A review has also been commissioned to improve the programme's efficiency and effectiveness.
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29 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Single-year Bikeability funding jeopardises delivery and expansion, increasing programme costs.
Written evidence from Bikeability Trust told us that funding for the Bikeability Programme was provided through a multi-year settlement between 2016 and 2020, but since then funding had been provided in single year extensions often confirmed just before the start … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, noting that ATE has already announced a 2-year, £50 million funding package for Bikeability until March 2025, providing funding certainty. ATE has also commissioned a review to improve programme efficiency.
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30 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
DfT reduced expected Bikeability funding for 2023-24 due to fiscal challenges.
We asked DfT for the details about its plans to fund the Bikeability Programme for 2023–24. It told us that it had been increasing the amount of funding available for the Programme over the last decade, and would do the … Read more
Government Response
The government has agreed and implemented the recommendation by announcing a 2-year, £50 million funding package for the Bikeability programme until March 2025. A review has also been commissioned to enhance the programme's efficiency and effectiveness.
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31 Conclusion Accepted
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active trav…
Complex trainer arrangements and funding delays hinder Bikeability scaling and equitable provision.
Bikeability Trust uses trainers to deliver cycle training. ATE and the Bikeability Trust, in their written submission to us, told us that often, local authorities do not directly employ these trainers and there can be complicated arrangements and criteria for … Read more
Government Response
The government has agreed and implemented the recommendation, providing a 2-year, £50 million funding package for Bikeability until March 2025. Additionally, ATE has commissioned a review to increase the programme's efficiency and effectiveness, focusing on management arrangements and delivery systems.
HM Treasury
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Government Response AI assessment · 30 of 4 classified
Accepted 18
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 2
Deferred 1
Rejected 8
Total 4 recs + 27 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
11 Sep 2023 Correspondence from Mike Kane, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, re written evidence for Active Travel England, dated 18 July 2023
Parliament page
7 Sep 2023 Correspondence from Dame Bernadette Kelly DCB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, re Active Travel in England, dated 1 August 2023
Parliament page
19 Jul 2023 Correspondence from Dame Bernadette Kelly DCB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, re Active Travel in England, dated 28 July 2023
Parliament page