Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, and Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, Cllr Caro Wild, joined First Minister Carwyn Jones this week, in support of the Welsh Government's recently announced £60m commitment for active travel over the next three years. 

Cardiff Council has earmarked £10m for active travel in this year's budget, and the Welsh Government's commitment is consistent with the local authority's plans to reduce congestion and improve air quality, health and wellbeing. 

Cllr Thomas said: "Cardiff is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK and a key economic driver for the capital city region, and for Wales as a whole. With growth and economic drive, comes challenge. 

"Each day, 90,000 people commute to Cardiff from outside the city; 72,000 of those travelling by car. We need to introduce new opportunities to encourage people out of their cars, and create attractive, practical and sustainable transport alternatives. 

"I welcome the Welsh Government's £60m announcement for active travel, and look forward to working them to ensure this is used to effect the biggest possible change in travel behaviour, complementing the record investment the Council is now putting into Active Travel." 

Cllr Wild added: "If we are to accommodate Cardiff's future growth - and ease congestion - then we need to change the way we think about travelling around the city. Our target is for over 50 percent of journeys to be made by bike, on foot, or by public transport by 2026.

"As well as reducing congestion, active travel also means lower carbon emissions, better air quality and improved health. We have been busy setting out our plans for the phased implementation of new cycle superhighways, a new transport interchange and bike hub in Central Square, an upgrade of popular routes and an on-street cycle hire scheme - Next Bike." 

The First Minister said: "This funding - £60 million over the next three years - signals a step change in the Welsh Government's approach to Active Travel. Funding levels for walking and cycling has fluctuated year to year, but this is a clear commitment to prioritise this work. 

"Getting more people to walk or cycle to work, school, or when popping to the shop for a pint of milk is a really straightforward action which has very real benefits. Building physical activity into our everyday lives improves our health, as well as reducing the traffic on our roads, decreasing air pollution and congestion." 

The Council has launched a Green Paper on Clean Air in the city and is urging residents to take part in the conversation about the big ideas that could shape the future of Cardiff's transport system and the way the city could look and feel in the future. 

The Transport & Clean Air Green Paper is available to view onwww.cardiff.gov.uk/transportgreenpaperand a series of questions have been asked in each section to get feedback from residents on the proposals and ideas before the consultation closes on 1st July. 

How you can get involved - join the conversation by:

• Completing our online survey athttps://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=152154762388
• Emailing comments directly to us at:consultation@cardiff.gov.uk
• Writing to: Cardiff Research Centre, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10 4UW
• Contacting us on Facebook / Twitter: @cardiffcouncil