“For this pivotal election, we need to make pedestrians the priority” – Wales manifesto comment

Living Streets Cymru has released Step Forward for Wales, a new Wales manifesto calling for better streets ahead of the Senedd Election 2026.

Living Streets Cymru – part of the UK charity for everyday walking – was on the original task force to advise the Welsh government on proposals for 20mph default speed limits. Over two years, the charity helped more than 55,000 pupils walk or wheel more, in 178 primary schools and 42 secondary schools across Wales.

The charity surveyed its supporters in January 2025 and developed its manifesto on the responses, which called for safer, cleaner and better streets. 

Ruth Billingham, Living Streets Cymru comments: 

“The people of Wales are fed up with more and more traffic, neglected pavements, inconsiderate driver behaviour and dangerous streets at night. Pavement parking is pushing disabled people, parents with buggies and older people into the road every day.

“Two out of three (61%) of our supporters said the 20mph speed limit has made a difference, but many say it needs to be better enforced. 

“This hotly contested Senedd election is an opportunity to address the dangers pedestrians face every day. We’re calling on the next Welsh Government for a Scotland-style nationwide ban on pavement parking, more car-free zones around schools to protect children, tougher sentences for inconsiderate drivers and improvements to high streets. To do this, we’re urging them to invest 10% of the transport budget in walking, wheeling and cycling.

“Everyone is a pedestrian at some point – yet walking and wheeling on Wales’ streets can feel like a battle. For this pivotal election, we need to make pedestrians the priority.”