AQW 17425/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 15/04/2021
Answered On Date: 26/04/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what inter-departmental discussions she has had in regard to the introduction of a walking strategy for Northern Ireland.

Answer:

I have had no inter-departmental discussions in regard to the introduction of a walking strategy for Northern Ireland. I believe that rather than develop more strategies, the focus must now be on action to help address climate change and support the draft Programme for Government aim to improve health and wellbeing, especially as we look towards a green recovery.

In 2020, I appointed a new Walking and Cycling Champion in the Department. The Department also developed a new campaign with the core message “Great Things Happen When You Walk” aiming to influence a modal shift towards walking for shorter journeys.

Given the importance of active travel and the contribution it can make to improving physical and mental health and wellbeing and to tackling climate change, I have made it my ambition to continue to make progress on active travel and a green recovery.

To date, I have allocated £3.7 million of capital funding toward six greenway projects through the blue / green infrastructure fund

A programme of active travel and blue / green schemes for implementation across the North can be confirmed after I have decided my capital allocations from the available budget.