Public asked to have their say on cycling and walking plan in Salisbury
There's also a county wide one
The public are being asked by Wiltshire Council for their views on a cycling and walking plan for Salisbury.
The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan sets out the plans for pedestrians and cyclists and highlight how these can be improved to create "connected networks".
The Salisbury LCWIP replaces the exiting Salisbury Town Cycle Network, adding a plan to improve walking spots in the city centre.
It identifies the walking and cycling routes that need to be improved and become a coherent network.
The plans have been drawn up with input from the Salisbury Cycle Liaison Panel and the Salisbury Disabled Access & Walking Forum.
Wiltshire Council say that the top walking and cycling priorities for them are:
Fisherton Street and South Western Road improvements through the Future High Streets Fund
A subway improvement scheme (St. Paul’s, Castle Roundabout, St. Mark’s) in partnership with National Highways who are responsible for these roundabouts and subways
Improved cycle, pedestrian and mobility vehicle access through Exeter St subway which would include improved lighting, wayfinding and widening of the path between the subway and Carmelite Way
Subject to funding, it's hoped these schemes will be delivered in 1-3 years.
The council will also continue to consider further walking and mobility vehicle improvements in the city centre such as footway widening.
They say traffic reduction will also be necessary to deliver significant improvements, so they will pursue this through a variety of initiatives:
Improving the A36/A3094 ring road to reduce through traffic
Improving public transport
Improving walking and cycling routes outside the city centre, and the River Park and Maltings routes in the city centre
Extending the e-bike hire scheme that is due to be introduced at Salisbury rail station
Improved cycle parking including a residential cycle parking scheme
Supporting the provision of electric car clubs to reduce demand for parking and encourage travel behaviour change
The local authority have also set out a county wide infrastructure plan.
Meanwhile, they say, in the future, they will work on LCWIPs for areas including Tidworth and Amesbury.
The aim of the LCWIPs is to provide an environment that will enable and encourage more trips to be made on foot or by bike, and help to improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion and also cut carbon emissions.
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“Cycling and walking can improve people’s physical and mental health, reduce congestion, save money, improve air quality, and help to tackle climate change – and that’s why it’s important for us to have these robust and ambitious cycling and walking plans.
“The Wiltshire and Salisbury LCWIPs will set out the cycling and walking opportunities in our county over the short, medium and long-term, so it is important that people take this opportunity to share their views on the plans.
“In our Business Plan, we support the decarbonisation of existing transport and increased use of walking and cycling, and these LCWIPs fit firmly within that goal.”
The local authority are now asking to hear your thoughts on the plans.
The consultation ends on the 16th September.
You can make your comments, and read the full plans, by going to the Wiltshire Council website.