Written question WQ98294

The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring walking, wheeling, and cycling are inclusive and accessible to all. We recognise that the layout of cycle tracks interacting with bus stops is an area where some users and user groups have raised concerns because they feel that some design solutions are unsafe. We have been working closely with stakeholders, and in particular with those representing disabled people and people with vision impairment over the last year to explore these issues and address them, including through the consultation on the updated Active Travel Act Guidance.

We have worked closely with TfW’s Access and Inclusion Panel and shared an early draft of the guidance with key stakeholders ahead of the consultation. During the consultation period, we have engaged with stakeholders at in-person events, alongside online sessions and targeted stakeholder meetings, to ensure meaningful engagement on the guidance. We have also explored the experience gathered with design options used elsewhere.

The Consultation has now closed and we will analyse the feedback gathered through all engagement and the online consultation and continue to work with stakeholders and partners such as Active Travel England to ensure our Guidance reflects best practice and ensures user-focus and consistency on how interaction of cycle tracks at bus-stops is dealt with.

We have not introduced a general pause on bus stop borders in Wales at this stage, as these are used very infrequently in Wales and should be assessed for their suitability on a location- and user-specific basis. As a small country, we are able to offer support to all local authorities through Transport for Wales to undertake detailed design reviews of all schemes where cycle tracks interact with bus stops to ensure that a suitable solution can be identified in collaboration with affected users.