Northern Ireland

ACT Travelwise - Northern Ireland regional page

Two government departments, Environment and Regional Development, and a range of associated agencies share responsibility for issues related to transport planning and delivery in the North of Ireland. The Department for Regional Development has a number of transport responsibilities, including transport and regional planning, roads, accessible transport and air and sea ports. 

The Department promotes sustainable modes of travel through its Travelwise NI initiative and this small team takes forward many of the goals of Act Travelwise in the Northern Ireland region. While the regional group rarely functions as an entity, Travelwise NI receives support from other Act Travelwise members in its activities and works with them to encourage behavioural change to more sustainable travel options.

Highlights of the ongoing work in the region include:

Schools: Travelwise NI Schools co-ordinators work with many of the 1400 schools across Northern Ireland on programmes such as WOW (Walk or Wheels Once a Week) or the Best Foot Forward for Schools Key Stage II educational resource. Walk to School Week in Northern Ireland continues to grow each year as an item in the Travelwise NI calendar.

Car sharing: Travelwise NI promotes the successful CarshareNI website (part of the Liftshare network) and has recently set up the CarshareNW website in partnership with Department of Transport in Dublin to promote car sharing to commuters in parts of both NI and the Republic of Ireland.

Public Transport, Walking and Cycling: Travelwise NI promotes the many benefits of these modes with support from public transport providers, health groups and others. Bike Week is another major item each year and its ongoing success owes much to the partnerships established with local authorities across NI as well as Sustrans and others.

For further information about Travelwise NI visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/travelwiseni