Consultation launched into planned active travel routes

Residents in Newtown and throughout north Powys are being urged to have their say on proposed future walking and cycling routes as Powys County Council launches a county-wide consultation on active travel improvements.

The council has published draft Active Travel Network Maps (ATNMs) for 11 towns and settlements across Powys following a major engagement exercise conducted in 2025.

The maps identify existing walking and cycling routes, as well as a range of proposed future connections and infrastructure improvements that could form the basis of future investment bids.

The consultation will run until 31 August.

Powys County Council says the plans have been developed using feedback from residents, schools, town and community councils and other stakeholders, with the aim of making walking and cycling a more practical option for everyday journeys.

The draft maps include both existing routes and a number of aspirational schemes designed to improve connectivity within communities and access to key destinations such as schools, town centres and public services.

Councillor Jackie Charlton, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, said: “The Active Travel (Wales) Act aims to make walking and cycling the natural choice for shorter everyday journeys.

“These draft maps support our wider vision of a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys, helping people access services more easily, improving health and wellbeing, and reducing our environmental impact.

“Thanks to the valuable feedback we’ve received from residents, community groups, schools and other stakeholders, we have been able to develop proposals that reflect local aspirations for better active travel routes.

“We now encourage everyone to take part in the consultation to help ensure we have captured this feedback accurately and to highlight any issues before these plans are developed further.”

The council has stressed that all proposed routes are currently aspirational and no commitment has been made to deliver individual schemes.

However, inclusion on the Active Travel Network Maps is an important step, as projects generally need to appear on approved maps before local authorities can apply for Welsh Government active travel funding.

For towns such as Newtown and Welshpool, the consultation could play a significant role in shaping future transport investment.

Both towns have seen growing interest in improving walking and cycling infrastructure in recent years. In Newtown, previous discussions have focused on improving links between residential areas, schools, the town centre and the River Severn corridor.

The updated maps are likely to influence which schemes are prioritised over the coming years and could help secure future funding for new routes, crossings, shared-use paths and other improvements.

While active travel investment has traditionally been concentrated in larger urban areas, Powys faces unique challenges due to its rural nature, dispersed communities and longer travel distances. The consultation therefore provides residents with an opportunity to ensure local priorities are reflected before the maps are submitted to the Welsh Government.

The draft maps can be viewed at:

https://datamap.gov.wales/maps/powys-active-travel-network-map-draft/

The consultation closes on 31 August.