The attempt by a Welsh Assembly committee to force Welsh councils to develop and maintain a network of paths for walkers and cyclists is being blocked by the Welsh Transport Minister despite the move having the backing of a wide range of organisations including Sustrans, BT, Royal Mail, the British Medical Association, Age Concern, Play Wales, and the National Union of Teachers.
Welsh Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is expected to tell the Assembly Committee on Thursday why he is blocking the legislative competence order (LCO). Unofficially though, the reason being given is that the Welsh Assembly government is unwilling to send any more LCOs up to Westminster because it has sent so many already.
At the moment local authorities have the legal ability to create traffic-free paths, but they do not have a duty to build and maintain them – essentially they can do it, but many won't unless forced.
Now the Children's Commissioner for Wales has added his support to the proposed change in the law.
In a letter issued to members of the Enterprise and Learning Committee, Children’s Commissioner for Wales Keith Towler said : “A legal duty on Highway Authorities to develop and maintain a network of traffic-free routes could make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people in Wales. It could benefit their general health and well-being, tackle childhood obesity, provide safer routes to schools and greater access to play areas.
“It is also refreshing to note that children and young people’s issues have been raised in what might traditionally be seen as an adult-dominated arena.”
Lee Waters, National Director of Sustrans Cymru, said: "This is the first time a proposal has come forward from civil society under the Welsh Assembly's new law making powers. It has the support of organisations representing businesses, children, older people, health experts and a range of environmental charities. And we are delighted that the Children's Commissioner for children in Wales has now added his independent voice.
“To encourage people to walk and cycle more often we need a network of well-maintained traffic-free paths. Left to their own devices Highway Engineers will not put pedestrians and cyclists first. Our proposal will help address the problems that the Assembly Government is committed to address. Now is the time for ministers to follow through.”
Campaigners like Mr Waters fear tht If the Assembly Government block the first initiative to come from civil society it will send a signal to the voluntary sector that there is very little point petitioning the Welsh Assembly for change because it is unlikely to do anything for fear of causing administrative difficulties in Whitehall.
Cycling infrastructure does not force drivers to break the law, drivers are the reason they break the law, no one else.
Ah but taking pictures of things to defy the man (avoid a fine) is righteous. Taking pictures of people to grass on them to the cops (perhaps...
But getting paid for it is the very definition of professional....
Never had a Shimano QR fail on me. They just work. And the top end ones look good too....
If you're only looking at the guy in front of you then you're going to crash whatever brakes you have, you need to look beyond them to anticipate...
As a woman, this works great for me! My chain broke once, and a kind guy stopped with a chain breaker and sorted it all out for me. We stopped at a...
Same. I also have gone through a bunch of their tyres, and only the extralight disappointed (torn sidewall) but the standards are fantastic....
thanks for the ideas....
Indeed - but it's no more inconsistent than our current road design - very often UK high streets are "for shopping" and also a busy through route....
If you ask the world's leading economic commentators how many people have been rescued from abject poverty by capitalism the average answer would...