Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timescale is for establishing Active Travel England; what powers that inspectorate will have; what the appointment process is for the National Cycling and Walking Commissioner; and what parliamentary oversight there will be of that appointment process.

The Department is committed to making rapid progress in establishing Active Travel England, and also to ensuring that proper consideration is given to these and other important matters. It is essential, for example, that the correct processes are followed in line with Cabinet Office Guidance on the creation of new Arm’s-Length Bodies.

The Government’s Cycling and Walking Plan, published in July, sets out some of the roles and functions that the new body is likely to have. These include holding the budget for, as well as approving and inspecting, cycling and walking schemes; disseminating training and good practice; and reviewing major planning applications to help improve the provision of cycling and walking facilities.

Further details on the role of, and appointment process for, the new National Cycling and Walking Commissioner will be made available in due course.