Written question WQ98377

Connecting rural communities remains a top priority for the Welsh Government. Rural areas must have sustainable and accessible transport options that enable residents to reach services, employment, education and leisure opportunities, while also supporting our wider climate objectives.

Given the isolated nature of many rural communities, the limited availability of services and the longer distances involved, the delivery of active travel in these areas requires a different approach from that applied in larger towns and cities. Nevertheless, it remains of significant importance. This will involve adapting our approaches and, where appropriate, integrating active travel with other modes of transport to ensure that rural communities are fully supported.

A total of £115.9 million has been awarded to local authorities through the Welsh Government’s Regional Transport Fund for 2026–27, supporting our commitment to making local transport more accessible and helping people move around more easily. This includes substantial support for active travel schemes across rural Wales.

For example, as part of this programme, Cyngor Gwynedd will receive £900,000 to progress the Chwilog to Afonwen active travel route in a rural area.

Ceredigion Council will receive £1.55 million to complete Phase 3 of the IBERS Active Travel Link, an important part of creating a safe, seamless route connecting Waunfawr, the IBERS research campus, Aberystwyth’s suburbs, and nearby rural communities with local nurseries and schools.

These are just two examples of many initiatives funded for the upcoming financial year that demonstrate the commitment to expanding active travel provision and improving connectivity for communities across Wales.

The updated draft of the Active Travel Act Guidance further strengthens this work by setting out clear expectations for how active travel should be planned and delivered in rural settings. The guidance emphasises the importance of designing routes that reflect local geography and settlement patterns, and highlights the value of linking walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure to public transport where appropriate. This ensures that longer or more complex journeys, common in rural communities, can still incorporate active travel, and supports local authorities to prioritise the most effective connections for their communities.

Additionally, across Wales we are supporting local authorities on the use of Quiet Lanes in rural areas. These are designed to make country lanes more attractive for walking, wheeling, cycling and horse riding.