Have your say on active travel routes

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans

We have ambitious plans to increase active travel and make Lancashire a place where cycling and walking is easily accessible, safe to use, attractive and well maintained. By building an infrastructure that makes it easier for people to travel on foot or by cycle, we can make walking and cycling a practical choice as well as a healthy and sustainable one.

Working in partnership with Blackpool Council we are developing Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans, for our future cycling and walking networks for each area of the county.

About the plans

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPS) are a new, strategic approach to identifying cycling and walking improvements.

The plans will enable a long-term approach to developing local cycling and walking networks.

We will produce:

  • Network plans for walking and cycling which identify preferred routes and core zones for further development
  • Prioritised programmes of improvements for future investment
  • Reports which set out the analysis we have carried out and why we are proposing particular improvements and networks

This will allow us to plan and improve the conditions for active travel by:

  • Identifying cycling and walking infrastructure improvements for future investment in the short, medium and long term
  • Ensuring that consideration is given to cycling and walking within both local planning and transport policies and strategies
  • Providing the evidence base to make the case for future funding for walking and cycling infrastructure

The process

Our programme is developed in line with the Department for Transport's Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy and their supporting Technical Guidance for Local Authorities (2017).

LCWIPs can be used as an evidence base to introduce long term, fit for purpose cycling and walking schemes. A key aspect in their production is a document that has undergone full public and wider stakeholder engagement.

We are currently preparing seven plans, following a similar geographic footprint as set out in the Highways and Transport Masterplans.

The plans are:

  • Burnley and Pendle
  • Central Lancashire
  • Fylde Coast (including Blackpool)
  • Hyndburn and Rossendale
  • Lancaster
  • Ribble Valley
  • West Lancashire

As well as engaging with local communities, we will liaise with each of the district authorities to ensure their input and support for the plans. Additional design and feasibility work will be needed to take any of the proposed schemes forward.

Timeline

Determine scope and information gathering - complete

Summer 2021 - Spring 2022

Determine the geographical boundaries of the plan. Identify existing and potential future travel patterns and barriers to walking and cycling.

Develop plans and public engagement - in progress

Spring 2022 – stage 1 engagement

We requested feedback from residents on their experience of cycling and walking in Lancashire and where any improvements may be needed. This information will help us decide on the priority networks for improvements.

September/October 2023 – stage 2 engagement

Thank you to everyone who took part in our recent public engagement. We are compiling your feedback and will be sharing the results soon.

Autumn/winter 2023 - update plans

Use the Stage 2 engagement feedback to make final amendments.

Winter 2023/24 - final plans

10-year plan for walking and cycling taken to the county council's cabinet for approval.

Funding and delivery 2023 - 2032

  • Use the plans to assist in securing funding for delivery
  • Delivery of improvements (subject to funding)

LCWIP stage 1 engagement results (spring 2022)

The initial public engagement focused on gaining an understanding of:

  • Current travel behaviour - cycling and walking journeys and why these are undertaken
  • Any barriers on active travel routes that may prevent cycling and walking
  • What would encourage modal shift to cycling or walking for short journeys
  • Public opinion on the current active travel provision

We have analysed the responses and used them to help inform the indicative network plans.

The map below shows the locations where people have pinpointed issues and what type of issue they raised.

Full screen map

Further information

Lancashire cycling and walking strategy (PDF 1MB)