AQW 18699/11-15 Written question to the Minister of the Environment
To ask the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of the effectiveness of current planning policy in encouraging travel by bicycle.
Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 21 January 2013
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 21 January 2013
- Answer due by
- 5 February 2013
- Answered
- 25 February 201335 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of the Environment
- Priority question
- No
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.