Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy MLA has published an Action Plan to take forward the proposals of the Executive’s Active Travel Strategy. 

Mr Kennedy has now published an action plan which covers the period up to 2015. The plan sets out measures that will be taken by government departments, local authorities and voluntary bodies to encourage more cycling and walking and less dependency on private cars.

To date the strategy has delivered a number of initiatives including: 

· Opening of the Comber Greenway to Titanic Quarter Cycle Route; 
· The Northern Ireland Civil Service “Cycle to Work Scheme” has helped 700 staff with the purchase of bicycles; 
· £2.4million spent by DRD in providing 8km of new footway, 3.7km of cycle lanes, 22 new pelican crossings and 19 safe routes to school schemes.

Speaking at the launch of the Action Plan for Active Travel at the Palace Demesne Public Park in Armagh, Danny Kennedy said: “I have been very impressed by the quality and range of Active Travel initiatives that have been delivered to date and by the many new and innovative projects which will be taken forward over the next two years.”

An important element of the Active Travel Strategy is to encourage local authorities to promote more walking and cycling in the communities they serve and to recognise the need to include people of all abilities. 

Danny Kennedy said: “The response from local Councils has been most encouraging. Altogether, 19 Councils have brought forward initiatives, either individually or in partnership with other bodies for inclusion in the action plan. I look forward to their continuing co-operation over the coming years to deliver the vision for walking and cycling.

“Today I have had the opportunity to see at first hand an excellent active travel scheme carried by Armagh Council, comprising a walking and cycling route in the beautiful Palace Demesne, with linkages across the city. This project is a superb example of what the Active Travel initiative is all about.” 

Lord Mayor, Ulster Unionist Councillor, Robert Turner said: “The Council is delighted to see the new walking/cycling routes being developed at the Palace Public Park are already in good use with footfall growing on a daily basis. A key component of this project has been to create linkages with the City Centre, Cathedrals and The Mall and promote the accessibility of these assets all within easy walking distance of each other. This is an important project for the Council, opening up this beautiful parkland for the enjoyment of the public in the heart of our City.”

A selection of the Active Travel initiatives planned or underway includes:

· Completion of four Active Travel Demonstration Projects – a Public Bike Hire scheme in Belfast and walkways and cycle paths in Londonderry, Craigavon and Strabane;

· Delivery of a programme of cycle and walking skills training with at least 60 schools per year to raise awareness of the benefits of walking and cycling as a main mode of transport;

· New paths, trails and access improvements in 15 Council areas; and investment by the Department in roads infrastructure in a range of towns to provide safer walking and cycling environments.

· Development of an Active Travel Action Plan for Belfast.

The Department for Regional Development, through the Active Travel Forum, will continue to monitor the uptake of cycling and walking and will produce reports on progress against all of the Action Plan initiatives.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Active Travel Strategy had been agreed by the Executive in December 2012 and in doing so, the Executive also commissioned the development of an Action Plan for Active Travel, led by the Active Travel Forum. Progress achieved to date includes:

· Opening of the Comber Greenway to Titanic Quarter Cycle Route;
· Provision of over 100km of mountain bike trails in Davagh Forest, Castlewellan and Rostrevor;
· The Northern Ireland Civil Service ‘Cycle to Work Scheme’ has helped 700 staff with the purchase of bicycles;
· DRD has spent £2.4million in providing 8km of new footway, 3.7km of cycle lanes, 22 new pelican crossings and 19 safer routes to school schemes.

2. The Action Plan is the work of the cross-sectoral Active Travel Forum chaired by DRD. Contributing bodies to the Action Plan include eight Departments, 19 local Councils and a number of other interested stakeholders including Sustrans, and Outdoor Recreation NI.

3. The Plan covers the period up to 2015 and sets out measures that will be taken by government departments, local authorities and voluntary bodies to encourage more cycling and walking and less dependency on private cars.

4. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has recently provided £130,000 financial assistance, with match funding from Armagh City & District Council, to develop a walking and cycling route between the Palace Demesne and Georgian Mall and create wider linkages across the city, and enhance the wider Armagh City and Saint Patrick’s Trail experience. Construction on site started at the beginning of January 2013 and is due to be complete by the end of July 2013. 

5. Copies of the Active Travel Action Plan may be obtained by contacting Janette Galloway at Department for Regional Development, Transport, Policy, Strategy & Legislation Division, Room 3.01, Clarence Court, 10 – 18 Adelaide Street, Belfast, BT2 8GB Telephone 028 90540594. Email janette.galloway@drdni.gov.uk

6. The Action Plan is also available on the Department's website at http://www.drdni.gov.uk/publications

7. Armagh Council’s Palace Demesne Public Park Project, which has been completed recently, is one of the many Council active travel initiatives that are included in the action plan. It involves the development of a walk and cycling route between Palace Demesne and the Georgian Mall and wider linkages across the city to make the Palace Demesne readily accessible to all and to enhance the wider Armagh City and St Patrick’s Trail.

8. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Regional Development’s Press Office on 028 9054 0004. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.