The Welsh Government’s commitment to increasing the prominence of cycling and walking has been described as ‘questionable’ by the Welsh Conservatives.
Shadow Secretary for Environment, David Melding AM, made the remarks in response to the publication of a report by the National Assembly’s Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee.
The report stated that there has been a lack of progress in increasing the amount of people that are walking and cycling since the passage of the Active Travel Act in 2013.
During 2013, 6% of people aged over 16 made at least one so-called active travel trip by bicycle at least once a week. The figure for 2016-17 - the most recent figures - showed it stood at 5%.
Speaking following the publication of the report, Mr Melding, said:
“This report is a stark indictment of the Welsh Government’s commitment to increasing active travel measures.
“The report itself concludes that strategic leadership has been lacking and that’s inexcusable.
“In most European countries, levels of active travel account for 25% to 35% of all daily trips, yet in Wales we are still lingering around the 5% mark. Where is our ambition?
“Last week we announced our Welsh Conservative white paper for urban renewal, which addresses the lack of an overarching national strategy at Welsh Government level and contains a number of significant proposals to create, maintain and develop urban liveability in Wales.
“A significant section of this strategy includes proposals to increase active travel measures.
“If the Welsh Government cannot provide the necessary leadership to improve our active travel prospects, the Welsh Conservatives will.”