Plan to improve cycling, walking and mobility access adopted by Cabinet

The Fenland Cycling, Walking and Mobility Aid Improvement Strategy (version 2), which was adopted by the Council's Cabinet on Monday 3 October, sets out how to develop and improve cycling, walking and mobility aid connectivity throughout the district.

It has been shaped by feedback from an initial public consultation in February 2021 to seek views what improvements were needed, and a second consultation in November 2021 on version 1 of the draft strategy.

The strategy identifies and prioritises opportunities for targeted investment in cycling, walking and mobility aid access in all four towns and surrounding villages, and outlines a number of recommendations, including:

• New cycling and walking routes
• Pedestrian crossing improvements
• Signage improvements
• Speed limit reviews
• A missing footpath review
• Footpath improvements, including extensions, widening, and dropped kerb installations

The strategy also identifies locations where the Council plans to undertake site-specific feasibility studies and consultations, looking at what improvements could be introduced.

Having an adopted strategy will also enable the Council to bid for future government funding for highway-related investment, for which an active travel infrastructure strategy will be a prerequisite.

Cllr Chris Seaton, the Council's Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "Fenland has received limited funding for active travel infrastructure provision to date and is therefore lacking a consistent walking and cycling network to build upon. That is why this strategy and its supporting action plans of schemes are necessary to address this deficit.

"We want cycling, walking and mobility aid use to be more convenient, safe, and enjoyable travel options for people of all ages and abilities. While not every journey can be made on foot, or by bike or mobility aid, many of the shorter journeys in our district could be with the right investment over the coming years.

"Better infrastructure will not only support an increase in active travel rates in the district, but it will also tackle congestion and reduce transport emissions, as well as improve air quality and people's health and wellbeing."

Article date: October 2022