How will the Welsh Government ensure that any active travel schemes it supports do not disadvantage people with vision impairment or put them at risk?
The Welsh Government requires local authorities to ensure that active travel schemes are safe and inclusive for all users, including people with vision impairment. This is supported through the Active Travel Act Guidance (ATAG), additional Welsh Government guidance on inclusive engagement, and the “Travel for All” principles, which emphasise a transport network accessible for all in Wales.
Highway Authorities developing new active travel routes must undertake meaningful, inclusive engagement in line with the ABC principles (Accessible, Broad and Clear), as set out in ATAG, ensuring that the needs and lived experiences of visually impaired people inform scheme development and design.
In the recent Active Travel Act Guidance draft consultation, the concerns raised about legibility for blind and partially sighted users, and about potential conflict between people walking, wheeling and people cycling, led directly to design changes, which have strengthened our guidance.
In the case of cycle and pedestrian interactions at bus stops, the concerns raised led to strengthened designs that improve legibility and safety for blind and partially sighted users. This included clearer tactile delineation between walking and cycling spaces, more defined routes to key features such as bus stops, and measures to reduce pedestrian–cyclist conflict. Across the options, this includes enhanced use of tactile paving, clearer spatial separation, and features to slow cyclists in higher‑risk areas.
As part of the next steps, Welsh Government is looking to undertake further targeted engagement with blind and partially sighted people to ensure their feedback is fully reflected in the final guidance. We will also continue targeted engagement, supported by forums such as the Inclusive Active Travel Advisory Group and the Transport for Wales Access and Inclusion Panel.