Public urged to have say on plans for new cycling and walking routes

People are being urged to share their views on a new 10-year plan to upgrade walking and cycling networks across the county.

Shropshire Council’s draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) was signed off by the authority’s cabinet at a meeting on Wednesday.

The document sets out how the council will deliver a string of new and upgraded facilities over the coming decade, focussed on seven key towns – Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Bridgnorth, Market Drayton, Ludlow, Whitchurch and Church Stretton.

Work on the document began in October 2021 and was carried out by City Science Incorporation.

Proposals within the draft plan include new cycling and walking routes, crossings and bridges.

Councillor Ian Nellins, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said: “Over the past 18 months, there has been a log of work into the shaping of the LCWIP with online meetings, site visits and assessments.

“There are ambitious standards for active travel infrastructure required to achieve the government’s vision of half of all short urban journeys to be made by cycling and walking by 2030.

“So an LCWIP for Shropshire will enable the council to demonstrate a clear commitment to walking and cycling.”

Councillor Nellins said it would help to identify and prioritise routes, respond to demand from communities for better facilities, and help make the case for funding from bodies including the Department for Transport (DfT), Active Travel England, and developer contributions.

“The delivery of the LCWIP is dependant on the council’s ability to seek and secure funding to both develop and deliver future schemes,” he said.

“Once funding is secured for specific schemes these will then be subject to local consultation with members, and the public, before progressing to implementation.”

Councillor Nellins also stressed that the document was not an “anti-car policy”.

Liberal Democrat group leader Roger Evans said it was important not to forget about the rural areas, as well as the smaller towns like Wem, Bishop’s Castle and Ellesmere.

He also shared comments from Copthorne councillor and active travel campaigner Rob Wilson, who was unable to attend. Councillor Evans said: “He welcomes the production of the LCWIP, but he is disappointed that it has taken this long.

“It should have been produced when the government first introduced guidance in 2017. How much funding have we missed out on as a result?”

Labour group leader Julia Buckley said it was important the LCWIP recognised the challenges posed by Shropshire’s topography, particularly the hilly landscapes and numerous rivers.

She also said it should link in with tourism initiatives to attract people on cycling breaks to the county, by ensuring proper linked cycle routes are in place between towns.

The LCWIP consultation will be open for six weeks, after which an updated version of the document will be presented to cabinet for adoption.