The Plan sets out how the Department for Infrastructure will prioritise and deliver over 200km of high-quality active travel infrastructure within urban and rural settlements over the next 10 years. It focuses on three key connection types for each area that plan to maximise benefits for people, the environment and society. These are connections to local schools; connections to public transport; and connections to town centres.

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said:

This Plan showcases the Department’s ambitions for increasing active travel options in 42 settlements across the North; delivering a bold transformation for all of our communities. It will complement the existing Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan and the Strategic Plan for Greenways, providing our teams and local councils with a firm basis for the prioritisation and delivery of active travel over the next 10 years.

“Research has shown that over one third of our journeys are less than two miles long and two thirds are less than five miles. These shorter journeys offer an opportunity to choose a different mode of travel to the car and make small changes to our lifestyle , regardless of age or ability, by choosing to walk, wheel, or cycle.

Sue Percy CBE, CIHT said: 

CIHT welcomes the focus on active travel in Northern Ireland and the opportunity to contribute to efforts to improve active travel.  Active travel is an effective way to increase physical activity levels, which is key to promoting physical and mental wellbeing.

Active travel does not only have a positive impact on a peoples’ health, but the modal shift can contribute to net-zero aspirations by reducing congestion and subsequent air pollution.”

“CIHT is in a position to help the wider sector to implement inclusive active travel schemes. It is important to get buy-in from the local community and associated stakeholders (including user groups) to co design and deliver this. We look forward to continuing to support the Department (for Infrastructure) in the future.

The consultation which contains a number of interactive maps for each area is available on the Department for Infrastructure’s website at https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/active-travel-delivery-plan and will be open until 28 February 2025.

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has launched a public consultation on the Active Travel Delivery Plan. The Minister is pictured with (left to right) Dermot Devlin, Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee, Shelley Bontje, Dutch Cycling Embassy and Sue Percy, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation.