Active Travel Strategy
Active Travel is any form of transport that is primarily based on physical activity, such as walking, wheeling, and cycling. This includes the use of standard bikes, adapted bikes or trikes, e-bikes, and other micro-mobility devices to support day-to-day trips.
It also includes using active means for parts of longer journeys. For instance, walking and cycling to/from the bus stop or train station are active trips as they involve active travel in the first stage.
The planning and development of Dumfries and Galloway Active Travel Strategy 2 (ATS2) and its Delivery Plan 2022 - 2032 started in April 2021 and finalised on the 6th of October 2022 when the Communities Committee adopted the strategy. The approved ATS2 was fed into by an extensive review of policies and, based upon the relevant Consultation Mandate, an Engagement and Consultation Process with key stakeholders, organisations, local groups and representatives, and members of the public.
The strategy supports:
- The step-change in national transport, climate, and health policy towards more active lifestyles and a move towards a just transition to net zero.
- Recognition of diversity and no one-size-fits-all solution. Success will require a bespoke, place-based approach to settlements of varying types and scales across the region.
- Inequalities need to be tackled, not exacerbated.
- Communities need to be supported to make informed travel choices.
- Making our towns and villages more active and attractive for residents and tourists will keep our citizens healthy and offer opportunities to the local economy.
Dumfries and Galloway Active Travel Strategy 2 and Delivery Plan 2022 - 2032
The Council's second Active Travel Strategy (ATS2) was adopted to provide a combined approach to active travel infrastructure and culture within Dumfries and Galloway, and to better respond to sustainability challenges as part of our Council's Climate Emergency Declaration, carbon reduction targets, and wider priorities.
Based upon the principles of Collaboration, Integration, and Diversity; and following the consultation process; we developed a long-term active travel vision for the region:
"Dumfries and Galloway will be an active region with accessible, reliable, and safe routes that connect communities, and will embrace a culture that promotes active and sustainable travel for both urban and rural areas."
Becoming an active region means that:
- Residents, tourists and visitors have active opportunities to enjoy public spaces and the outdoors for leisure or exercise and can reach key destinations for everyday functional trips by active modes, including partially active trips supported by public transportation.
- Communities are actively encouraged to take part in projects and initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles and make use of active travel infrastructure to help our towns and villages be more sustainable and meet our net-zero ambition.
To achieve the vision, this strategy will be a platform to promote:
- More partnerships across the public, private and third sectors to encourage active travel.
- Evidence-based objectives to respond to both rural and urban locations.
- Inclusive place-making to shape places collaboratively with the community.
- Actions to build on the uptake of active travel.
- A delivery plan to contribute to sustainability, net-zero and green recovery targets with review milestones.
Beyond the strategic statements that support this vision, there will be a need for continuing internal and external engagement.
External partnerships will help us speed up the implementation of carbon-friendly and accessible transportation options, spaces for active recreation and liveable neighbourhoods to make active travel truly accessible for all.
The ATS2 is underpinned by 10 Strategic Objectives, each one with several outcomes to make those objectives measurable. The ATS2 is accompanied by a Delivery Plan 2022 - 2032 comprised of 37 actions categorised in 4 streams:
- Networks and Infrastructure - 12 Actions
- Engagement, Communication and Behaviour Change - 11 Actions
- Research and Monitoring - 6 Actions
- Governance and Development - 8 Actions
A set of indicators will help keep track of the actions in the ATS2 Delivery Plan 2022 - 2032.
The ATS2 will be a valuable tool to embed active travel in our policies and strategies, to secure more funding for active travel, to strengthen behaviour change campaigns, build more infrastructure, empower communities, increase health and wellbeing, support economic initiatives, and reduce carbon emissions.
Please have a look at the Dumfries and Galloway Active Travel Strategy 2 and Delivery Plan 2022 - 2032 below to learn more about this strategy and the different actions included in it.
You can also find below the Easy Read version of the ATS2.
Further Information
Should you require the strategy in other formats or languages, please get in contact with the Network Strategy and Road Safety team at networkstrategyteam@dumgal.gov.uk.
