Great to see walking added to travel remit

The launch of WAMACT (Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead Active Travel) (Maidenhead Advertiser, April 21) is both timely and vital, following the Government’s announcement in January of a new executive agency – Active Travel England – in line with its commitment to boost cycling and walking; help deliver priorities for healthy, safe and carbon-neutral transport; and raise standards of cycling and walking infrastructure.

Beginning with the RBWM Cycle Forum, whose members developed the adopted Cycling Action Plan (CAP), followed by W&MCAG set up by local residents to ensure the CAP’s implementation after RBWM dissolved the Cycle Forum in 2019, WAMACT is also the natural successor in an evolving process as at local level the council draws up its first Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), joining CAP objectives with a new formal policy for walking.

Following W&MCAG’s intensive work during the pandemic; engagement with other voluntary groups and RBWM on wider climate and environment matters; developing support for the successful creation of a Cycle Hub in Windsor; and helping the group become an established and respected voice on behalf of cycling across the Borough, we have decided to step back from direct leadership roles and encourage others to step into these and many new ones which will be generated by WAMACT’s remit, whilst looking forward to contributing on matters of community engagement and local infrastructure where we feel our experience, knowledge and insights will be of particular benefit.

COVID and the climate crisis have irrefutably underscored the benefits of ‘active travel’ for health, wellbeing, biodiversity and natural environment, the economy and overall quality of life.

Being part of the group’s constructive engagement with the council and communities to expand support for cycling during this extraordinary period has been a privilege, and we very much support the decision to add walking to its remit while the LCWIP is being prepared.

Now is most definitely the time to ACT!

DEREK WILSON MBE W&MCAG Founding Chair

SUSY SHEARER W&MCAG Founding Secretary