AQW 18699/11-15

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 21/01/2013
Answered On Date: 25/02/2013
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of the effectiveness of current planning policy in encouraging travel by bicycle.

Answer:

Cycling is promoted through various planning policies and guidance - PPS 3 ‘Access, Movement and Parking’, PPS 7 ‘Quality Residential Environments’ and PPS 13 ‘Transportation and land use’. These policies require developers to consider the needs of cyclists in bringing forward proposals for residential development and for development that provides jobs, shopping, leisure and services. Relevant guidance is included in ‘Creating Places, Achieving Quality in Residential Developments’ which refers to the layout and design of cycle routes, to ensure they are safe and pleasant to use.

I am satisfied that current planning policy and guidance sets the right direction in encouraging travel by bicycle however, its effectiveness is difficult to assess as these policy instruments in themselves cannot guarantee increased cycle usage.