AQW 17424/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 15/04/2021
Answered On Date: 28/04/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what inter-departmental discussions he has had in regard to the introduction of a walking strategy for Northern Ireland.

Answer:

DAERA has recently undertaken consultations on a Clean Air Strategy, Outdoor Recreation legislation and the Environment Strategy. Proposals to support further development of walking and cycling are included in each and other Departments are involved in the discussions about the outcomes and delivery of each.

The cross departmental and public body group SORG (Strategic Outdoor Recreation Group) has been working with partners to identify and develop the statistical and spatial metrics and baselines to support future strategic planning of outdoor recreation, including walking, such as the Environment Strategy, a future PfG, Green Growth, an updated Outdoor Recreation Action Plan, health strategies, Community Plans, Local Development Plans and funding programmes. The metrics will identify areas of greatest need and priorities for targeting future development of resources such as paths, information provision and targeted intervention programmes.

A review of the Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for Northern Ireland alongside the proposals above and the Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity currently being developed by DfC, will consider future additional action needed across departments.