Applying a strategic approach to active school travel: Barriers, facilitators and potential solutions in Wales

Objective: Physical inactivity is a major global public health problem and a risk factor for many non-communicable diseases. Encouraging active school travel is one behaviour change which can increase children's daily activity levels. However, previous approaches in Wales have not resulted in widespread increases in active travel to school. The study aimed to understand how strategic approaches to active school travel can be applied more effectively by assessing the barriers, enablers and factors which affect strategic approaches towards active school travel in Wales.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted by interviewing eight active school travel stakeholders and key informants working at strategic policy levels in Wales. Interviewees were asked a series of questions relating to the factors influencing strategic approaches towards AST. The interviews were transcribed and synthesised thematically.

Results: Four main themes and several subthemes were identified. Participants discussed funding, siloed working, and a limited accountability as barriers to applying a strategic approach to active school travel. Whereas uniting priorities, utilising frameworks, and identifying leaders were acknowledged as enablers of working strategically. The key themes identified were translated into four recommendations to improve the strategic approach to active school travel: construct a continual funding mechanism; ensure collaboration between those involved; unite the priorities of stakeholders; and establish high-level authority and policy.

Conclusion: There are necessary changes that must be implemented to improve the strategic approach to active school travel in Wales. Consequently, strategic working should be addressed across multiple disciplines to work effectively at promoting active travel.