Active Travel Plans

Active travel means walking or cycling as a means of transport in order to get to a particular destination such as work, the shops or to visit friends. It does not cover walking and cycling done purely for pleasure, for health reasons, or simply walking the dog.

Under ‘Active Travel Plan’, high-quality walking and cycling networks are delivered, enabling residents and visitors to make active journeys more frequently, with improved public realm and access to local shops, facilities and green spaces.

Benefits

• A lower carbon transport network with lower fossil fuel and car dependency, reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality, especially around schools and shopping areas. Transport is playing a central role in contributing towards carbon neutrality by 2030 to help tackle the climate emergency.
• A stronger local economy, supported by improved access to work, services and businesses, as part of our green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Income from tourism is higher, supported by attractive active travel facilities and the reduced dominance of cars in central spaces.

Integration with Public Transport

Active travel is integrated with public transport to provide an attractive alternative to car use for longer journeys. There is easy, safer access by foot and bike to public transport stops and stations. A supportive environment is in place to ensure this, for example through the provision of multi-modal interchanges, including in rural areas. This ensures that walking and cycling are a key part of a truly integrated transport network, with appropriate supporting infrastructure such as real time information, seating, Car Club provision, cycle storage and cycle hire schemes. Adequate and bookable facilities for bike carriage on trains and interurban and rural buses are the norm.

Safety Issues

Safety risk assessments should be used at the earliest possible stage to help inform and refine the design, rather than used as an audit tool

Pedestrians and cyclists should feel safe when travelling around the local road and route networks, as a result of reduced traffic speeds and volumes, widespread segregation of pedestrian and cyclists from heavy traffic and enforcement of traffic regulations as well as successful safety campaigns. Drivers need to show an extremely high duty of care towards pedestrians and cyclists, and this should be reflected in cautious and considerate driving standards and behaviour.

The space should be reallocated on streets as well as at public transport interchanges such as bus stops and railway stations for improved walking and cycling facilities.

Road safety awareness should be increased, supported by a strong, consistent media campaign showing the active travel options available. Residents are supported to make changes using education, training and publicity.

Planning and Design

Following key measures/steps should be taken for robust planning and design for implementing ‘Active Travel Plans’:

• Identification and mapping of the key trip generators and destinations for peds and cyclists
• Identification and mapping of the main cycle routes and pedestrian zones
• Identification and mapping of the constraints and barriers to pedestrians and cyclists
• Using this information to develop a robust evidence base as the basis for identification of routes and schemes
• Audits of identified walking and cycling routes using the route selection tool (RST) and walking route assessment tool (WRAT), as per DfT guidance
• Production of a walking and cycling ‘network plan’ into and through the district
• Production of a prioritised programme of improvements for future investment including infrastructure improvements, wayfinding and signage
• Identification of high-level walking/cycling interventions
• Engagement workshops with key stakeholders