Iconic National Cycle Network to undergo major makeover in Wales

ICONIC NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK TO UNDERGO MAJOR MAKEOVER IN WALES

The National Cycle Network (NCN) will undergo a major review of its walking and cycling routes in Wales to ensure they meet the highest design standards and offer the best experience to the families, commuters and tourists who use it every year.

Thanks to funding from Welsh Government, and a mapping exercise previously carried out by each local authority the review will help to identify new routes and missing links, and propose a long-term strategy for governance, funding, maintenance, promotion and mapping.

The NCN is a critical part of Wales’s active travel infrastructure and strategy, encouraging people to walk and cycle in a safe environment and providing important commuting access.

Every year, an estimated 63,253,772  trips are made on the Network in Wales, which totals over 1,600 miles of traffic-free paths and on road routes linking up villages, towns and cities from Newport to Anglesey.

It has been recorded that trips on the Network throughout the UK save the economy more than £550 million by reducing levels of obesity.

Holidays and days out on the Network generate £650 million and support 15,000 jobs. (Source: Sustrans, 2014)

As part of the review, Sustrans calls on Welsh Government and local authorities for dedicated and consistent investment in the development and maintenance of walking and cycling routes, including the NCN.

Wales’ very own Active Travel Act (2013) puts a legal obligation upon both Welsh Government and local authorities to continually improve cycling and walking infrastructure and this review will help to highlight what is needed to ensure the safety, convenience  and the best possible experience for all users.

Steve Brooks, National Director of Sustrans Cymru said:

“Much of the existing National Cycle Network was designed to standards that have since been changed and improved. With this review, we want to further build on the success of the NCN and achieve a network of safe, fully accessible and high-quality routes and paths that will make walking and cycling easier for everyone, regardless of their age and abilities, and inspire a new generation to get on their bikes.

“Walking and cycling can hugely benefit public health and wellbeing, boost local economies and create greener local environments. The NCN plays a large role in achieving this, as it encourages active commuting and a healthy lifestyle, and contributes to economic growth. This is a reminder that governments at all levels need to prioritise dedicated and consistent investment for existing walking and cycling routes under the Active Travel Act, this will serve communities across Wales and generations for years to come.”

Sustrans is working with a number of partners to carry out the review, which is due to be published in September.

Meryl James, Chair of the NCN Review Advisory Panel in Wales, said:

“I am delighted to chair the committee of this vital review.  The National Cycle Network is considered a national treasure to many in Wales with around 1,600 miles throughout the country, offering beautiful scenic routes which residents and visitors can enjoy. The NCN forms a critical part of Wales’ active travel infrastructure and strategy, encouraging people to walk and cycle in a safe environment and providing important commuting access. We are determined to make cycling and walking safer and easier across the country, and this review will be pivotal in the process.”

Richard Rutter, Policy, Research and Impact Unit Manager for the Canal and River Trust said: “The Canal and River Trust currently hosts 500 miles of the National Cycle Network on our towpaths.

“We are delighted to support the Review to understand how our 200 year old towpaths, which already attract over 400 million visits each year and which are on the doorstep of eight million people, can attract even more people and help to deliver even greater wellbeing benefits in our fast-paced world.”

For more information about the Network, please visit:

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map