Have a say on improving cycling, walking & mobility access in Fenland
The District Council wants our help
We're being given the chance to help shape improvements to cycling, walking and mobility access in Fenland with the launch of a new engagement survey.
Fenland District Council is developing a new Fenland Cycling, Walking and Mobility Improvement Strategy which aims to capitalise on the increase in sustainable travel during lockdown and help people to continue making more journeys by bike, on foot or with a mobility aid.
Residents, businesses, and community groups are being encouraged to share their views on how cycling and walking provision, and mobility access, can be improved in the district, by completing the online survey by Sunday, 21 March. People working in and visiting Fenland are also being urged to have their say. Visit: www.fenland.gov.uk/consultations
Cllr Chris Seaton, Fenland District Council's Portfolio Holder responsible for transport and social mobility, said:
"We are committed to supporting more people to make sustainable travel choices, which have huge benefits for our health and wellbeing, the environment and for future generations.
"Developing a cycling, walking and mobility strategy, and a list of improvement schemes, will strengthen the Council's potential to secure funding and ensure we have robust plans in place to develop such travel options throughout the district.
"It is essential that these plans are informed by the public. We are asking people to tell us how they usually travel and what, if any, barriers they face which stop them from making more journeys on foot, wheelchair, mobility scooter or by cycle, more often. There has been a big increase in walking and cycling during the pandemic, so it's a great time for people to share their views."
The strategy project is being funded by the Council and the Hereward Community Rail Partnership (CRP), with improving connectivity to schools, colleges, workplaces, and Fenland's railway stations being among its key objectives.
Paul Nelson, Chair of the Hereward CRP, said:
"The Hereward CRP is a huge advocate of community engagement and encouraging residents to have their say about local transport. This opportunity for the public to provide valuable input and insight about local travel choices to inform the developing strategy is hugely positive and we hope plenty of people get involved.
"Improving connectivity to Fenland's railway stations is a major priority for the CRP. The production of this strategy to enable more multimodal journeys incorporating walking, cycling and rail travel, as well as considering the wider mobility requirements of residents, is exactly what Fenland needs."
Views submitted through the survey will help to create a draft Fenland Cycling, Walking and Mobility Improvement Strategy. The public can then view and comment on the draft before a final version is presented to full Council in late summer 2021.
Anyone who would like to complete the survey but does not have access to the survey online can contact the Council's Transport Team on 01354 622318 (answer phone) for a call back to complete the survey over the phone.
For any questions regarding the survey or the strategy, please contact the team via email at: neighbourhoodstrategy@fenland.gov.uk