UK Inquiry Tracker

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

Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Seventy-fifth report from Session 2022-23

3 Nov
2023

Report published

Seventy-Fifth Report - Active travel in England

11 Sep
2023

Correspondence

Correspondence from Mike Kane, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, re written evidence for Active Travel England, dated 18 July 2023

7 Sep
2023

Correspondence

Correspondence from Dame Bernadette Kelly DCB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, re Active Travel in England, dated 1 August 2…

19 Jul
2023

Oral evidence

Active travel in England

19 Jul
2023

Correspondence

Correspondence from Dame Bernadette Kelly DCB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, re Active Travel in England, dated 28 July 20…

19 Jul
2023

Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House

Active travel in England

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

Reports 1 report · click to expand

Title	HC No.	Published	Items	Response
Seventy-Fifth Report - Active travel in England	HC 1335	3 Nov 2023	31	Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

1 result

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 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 active travel with other forms of transport but has not yet taken the steps needed to create a joined-up transport network. We are concerned that a lack of available or secure bike parking, or safe paths, may discourage people from Active travel in England 7 cycling or walking part of a journey. DfT claims that it has prioritised building cycle lanes and infrastructure that segregated cyclists from other road traffic instead of integrating active travel with other transport modes, for example enabling bikes to be taken on buses or trains. ATE expects the bulk of progress in achieving DfT’s active travel objectives to be delivered by increased walking, particularly people walking part of their journey before talking another form of transport. Buses and trams increase the number of walking trips taken because people often walk the first part of their journey to reach a bus or tram stop. Investment in public transport —such as buses, trams and trains—must go hand-in-hand with investment in active travel to allow people to access them and encourage people to walk to stations and bus or tram stops. ATE is working with local authorities to build their planning capability to ensure that active travel is fully integrated into their local plans. It is essential for DfT to ensure that wider transport schemes properly integrate active travel into the public transport network. Recommendation 5a: DfT and Active Travel England should, by April 2024, develop a clear and consistent approach for ensuring greater integration of active travel infrastructure with the public transport network. b) In its Treasury Minute response, DfT should set out how, and by when, it will increase the number of public transport stops that can be safely ac Show less

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

View details

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