Active Travel Network Map Consultation 2025/26

The Active Travel Network Map (ATNM) Consultation will run through 2025 and 2026

We want to provide the Vale of Glamorgan with a network that allows for walking, wheeling and cycling to become the most natural and normal way of getting about for local journeys. And, by doing so, to promote the health and well-being of everyone and to make our towns and villages more liveable places.

Under the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013, all local authorities in Wales must regularly review and improve their walking, wheeling and cycling routes. Our current map was approved by the Welsh Government in August 2022, and now it’s time to reflect the changes and improvements made over the past three years.

We are reviewing and refining the ATNM to include:

• Existing Routes: These are routes that meet Welsh Government standards for walking, wheeling and cycling (or all three).
• Future Routes: These are proposed routes that either don’t yet exist or need improvements to meet the required standards.

A non-statutory consultation ran from 5 November 2025 until 5 January 2026.  The consultation report is available to read here: Active Travel Network Map consultation report - Phase 1

The comments and suggestions have been reviewed and maps have prepared for 12 week statutory consultation.  This will run from 22nd June to 14th September 2026.  The revised map will be submitted to Welsh Government in December 2026.  We kindly ask that you click on the following link to view the map and have your say............

Click here to access the survey

The following in person events will be held, and further dates will be added as they are confirmed:

• Saturday 18th July 2026 - Vale Nature Festival 1100-1600 at Cosmeston Country Park.
• Wednesday 5th August 2026 - National Play Day 1100-1500 at Gladstone Gardens, Barry.
• Wednesday 12th August 2026 - The Vale Show 0800-1800 at Penllyn, Vale of Glamorgan.

FAQs

• What is Active Travel?
  Active Travel is the name given for everyday, short distance journeys that people make on foot or by cycle such as to work, school, college or to reach the shops and other facilities. This can also include users of wheelchairs or other mobility aids.

   

  Active Travel does not refer to journeys that people may make for recreational reasons, such as walking or cycling in the countryside.

• Why is the Council consulting on Active Travel? 
  When the Welsh Government originally introduced the Active Travel (Wales) Act in 2013, this legislation made it a legal requirement for Councils in Wales to promote and develop a network of Active Travel routes within their area. Since then, the Council has built new infrastructure, improved existing Active Travel routes and provided new facilities to benefit pedestrians, wheelers and cyclists. The Welsh Government has asked all the local authorities in Wales to review and consult on their future plans for Active Travel.
• What is the purpose of this consultation? 

  Active Travel journeys can offer a number of benefits to both individuals and local communities such as improvements to their health and wellbeing and a reduction in local air pollution if fewer, short distance journeys are made by car.

   

  The Council would like to improve the quality and provision of Active Travel routes throughout the Vale of Glamorgan and this consultation exercise will help us to do that.

• How can I get involved? 
  The consultation period starts on 22nd June 2026 and will close on 14th September 2026. You can take part online by visiting the survey website and completing the questionnaire.  Alternatively, we will also be visiting a number of public venues across the Vale if you would like to speak to us in person.

   

  A paper copy of the survey is available here: ATNM paper survey, or is available by telephoning 01446 700111.

   

   

  As part of the consultation exercise, the Council will also be contacting a number of local organisations and bodies in the Vale of Glamorgan for their views and comments.

• What is shown on the Active Travel Network Map? 
  The Active Travel Network Map (ATNM) shows existing Active Travel routes that can be used to reach local facilities as well as proposed new routes, based on the feedback that we received several years ago following a previous consultation exercise. In most cases, these particular routes will require further studies to look at the possible alignment of these new routes as well as the engineering and environmental impact. The ATNM also shows additional information to assist pedestrians, wheelers and cyclists and only includes existing routes that meet the definition of an Active Travel route as set down in the guidance covering the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013.
• What will happen to the information I provide as part of the consultation exercise? 
  All responses received by the Vale of Glamorgan Council will be viewed in full by officers involved in this exercise. The information may also be viewed by other departments within the Council or by other parties to help improve the services provided.

   

  
  

  The Council may also use the information obtained to publish subsequent documents both directly and indirectly linked to this consultation. However, the Council will never disclose any personal information such as names or addresses that could identify an individual.

  
  

  If you do not wish for your comments to be published, please state so in your response. 

• What will happen after the consultation exercise finishes? 
  The Council will examine and consider all the responses that it receives before submitting the final version of the ATNM to the Welsh Government by 1 December 2026.