Walking
Policy
Whilst walking is often understated as a mode of transport, its importance for short, local journeys and its benefit to both the environment and personal health has long been recognised within the congested conurbation.
Policies have been established that provide for significant improvements for the pedestrians - these include:
Improved direction signing
Better facilities
Safety and environmental enhancements to improved pedestrian routes
Safer walking routes to schools
Specific consideration in development proposals
School transport provision
The consultation process highlighted the following problems and opportunities:
Problems
Road safety
Fear of crime
Road crossings, particularly at junctions
"Awareness" of how short some journeys are
Long distance of other journeys
Severance by major roads
Opportunities
Road safety plan and security awareness
Programme of pedestrian routes and crossings
'At level' crossings
Improved safety and security by better lighting and maintenance
Improved pedestrian signing
Improved maintenance of footway
Attention to maintenance of landscaping
TRAVELWISE campaign
"Walking" maps and publicity
Land-use policies to reduce journeys
Safer routes to school
Health promotions
Greenways projects
Improving the QUALITY, CONVENIENCE and SAFETY of walking routes to key destinations such as schools, workplaces, public transport interchanges and shopping areas to encourage an increase in total distances walked is one of the key aims of the LTP strategy.
Walking has environmental, social and health benefits and in the area it is playing an important part in developing longer-term sustainable transport strategies. Walking links into all the over-arching objectives of the LTP and its importance cannot be overstated for those without suitable alternatives.
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