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Campaign groups have stated that the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is not meeting legally binding targets on spending for active travel, which aims to encourage people to walk, cycle, or use other forms of public transport, in the country. As part of the Climate Act 2022, it was legally required for the department to spend a minimum of 10% of its annual budget on active travel initiatives by 2030, which amounts to over £80m per year. However, the department has been spending only £12m annually to date. Cycling and walking infrastructure charity, Sustrans, found that Belfast has only two miles of protected bike lanes, whereas Dublin has far more advanced active travel provisions.
Both Cycul, the campaign group, and the Belfast Cycle Campaign have stated that they are frustrated that “next to no delivery has taken place on the ground” in Northern Ireland. There have been numerous consultations and strategies regarding active travel. The DfI has launched a public consultation on its active travel delivery plan, committing to investing £200m over 10 years in active travel schemes in Northern Ireland towns. However, critics have pointed out that progress has been slow, and some of the active travel initiatives being developed do little to promote the benefits of the schemes.
To reverse this trend, some advocacy groups are considering taking legal action against the DfI. Campaigners such as Meghan Hoyt, who heads up the Belfast Cycle Campaign, believe that legal intervention may be necessary to bring about real change. Additionally, some Northern Ireland cyclists feel that active travel projects are being undertaken merely to claim funding rather than principally to promote sustainable growth. Andrew McClean of Cycling UK accused the DfI of pursuing the easiest political route, while some projects funded by DfI outside of Belfast are accused of leading nowhere and not connecting different amenities.
Overall, Northern Ireland has a much lower per capita budget for active travel than the rest of the UK or the Republic of Ireland. There needs to be a coming together of advocates and decision-makers to push for more progressive and efficient active travel policies in Northern Ireland. Publicity from campaigns critical of the DfI is increasing pressure to introduce more effective legislation and spending initiatives, however, to date, officials have failed to make significant progress.
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