Maeve O'Connell
Question:349. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff employed in active travel teams or working on active travel projects in each local authority, in tabular form. [6506/26]
View answerTuesday, 27 January 2026
Questions (349)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of filled positions across Local Authorities for technical roles in the delivery of Active Travel infrastructure, reflecting the substantial increase in funding and project delivery since 2020. Currently around 240 staff are in place across the 31 local authorities who are dedicated to the delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure projects around the country.
Since 2022, full allocation spend has been achieved under the NTA's Active Travel Programme and it is therefore considered that the current level of recruitment within the Active Travel teams is sufficient; however the NTA continue to monitor the staffing levels with a view to maintaining this optimum level going forward, ensuring a continuous high level of project delivery in the coming years.
Separately, the 2009 National Cycling Policy Network set out the requirement for Local Authorities to assign an officer at an appropriate senior level to act as an Active Travel Officer (ATO), also known as Walking and Cycling Officers; many Local Authorities employ an ATO from before the commencement of the current NTA Active Travel resourcing programme in 2021.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
The referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Question No. 350 answered with Question No. 348.
Question No. 351 answered with Question No. 348.