Bedford Borough Council has defended its Active Travel Credibility score – the government measurement for a local authority’s cycling and walking framework – despite criticism from cyclists and environmental campaigners.
Published on Friday (10 March) the report rates all 79 local authorities from ‘0’ to ‘4’ based on local leadership, plans and delivery record, which also considers whether authorities require developers of new housing or industrial developments to include good facilities for walking, wheeling and cycling.
Bedford is among the majority of authorities – 51% – that scored ‘1’, meaning, “Some local leadership with basic plans and isolated interventions that do not yet obviously form a plan for a network”.
38% of local authorities scored ‘2’, showing “strong local leadership, with clear plans that form the basis of an emerging network with a few elements already in place.”
5% scored ‘0’, 6% were given a rating of ‘3’ and none were deemed to have an established plan in place to merit a ‘4’ rating.
“Disappointing”
Jamie Quiggan, owner of cycle shop Flamme Rouge on Bromham Road told the Bedford Independent: “It’s disappointing that Bedford council has been assessed to not have a joined up active travel plan.
“When you consider the undemocratic and discriminatory ban on cycling in the town centre, poor cycle lanes that start and stop abruptly across the town and complete lack of consideration given to cyclists in the recent High Street Development, then it’s not at all surprising.”
He described “token initiatives” being implemented while town-centre congestion gets worse.
“It’s just depressing to see such an opportunity for improved public health and reduced congestion be ignored by a myopic car-focused council,” he said.
Defending its rating, a spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council told the Bedford Independent that it does not take into account the publication this summer of the Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan.
“This, together with our investment in smarter choices, education and the multi-million-pound investment in cycle routes, such as the Green Wheel, will enable Bedford Borough to be recognised for significant achievements in active travel,” said the spokesperson.
“In addition, we have implemented a comprehensive network of urban routes across the Borough, with more investment planned as part of the £23m investment from the Town Deal.”
“More commitment needed”
Green councillors Lucy Bywater and Ben Foley said they are “disappointed but not surprised” by the government’s assessment of Bedford’s active travel plans.
Speaking to John Guinn of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme (LDRS), Cllr Bywater said: “The rating system is not perfect I am sure, but the council statement fails to mention that the entire active travel team has been made redundant, which there is no excuse for.
“It is terrible news for ambition on active travel, we need their expertise.”
Cllr Bywater told the Bedford Independent: “The Council needs to show much greater commitment to good walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure but the low score was because the ‘evidence presented did not consistently show higher levels of leadership and support for active travel’.
“That matches our experience as councillors.”
The councillors say that the local authority’s anticipated Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan has been delayed for “a number of years” and that local people’s opinions are ignored when active travel decisions are made.
“As Greens, we keep saying that local people must be consulted on what’s needed: What will help them cycle and walk more? What are the ‘obstacles’?
“The Council can’t keep letting traffic levels bring our town to a polluted gridlock while general health and the environment suffers.
“Many European cities show inspiring examples of walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure, and they’re exactly the places people want to visit and live. Bedford Borough needs the leadership to be bold on this, but shockingly is in the process of making its sustainable transport team redundant.”
The council did not respond to the LDRS when asked about the sustainable transport team redundancies.
additional reporting by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
