Cyclists and walkers are being invited to have their say and help families’ get in shape, stay heathy and travel cheaply.
Durham County Council is developing a new ten year plan which, from November, will guide its efforts to reduce the region’s reliance on cars and create confident cycling and walking communities.
Cllr Carl Marshall, the authority’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Getting more people to cycle and walk has benefits for everyone.
“By reducing car traffic, improving air quality, saving people money and encouraging healthier lifestyles County Durham can become healthier, happier, wealthier, and more vibrant.”
Following work with a range of organisations the draft Strategic Cycling and Walking Delivery Plan 2018 – 2028 sets out how the council wants to make pedal and foot powered travel part of Durham’s culture, with them becoming safe, affordable and enjoyable modes of transport for everyone, whether they’re travelling to school, work, shops or just out for fun.
Some of the key ambitions for the strategy include that:
• Durham becomes widely recognised as a cycling and walking friendly county.
• The county has high quality cycling and walking networks that are safe, accessible, well maintained, integrated, and well signposted.
• More people, especially women, children and older people, are cycling and walking for everyday journeys.
• The quality of people’s lives, including their fitness, health and wellbeing, are improved.
A consultation is now underway on the proposed plan – which can be viewed at www.durham.gov.uk/consultation – with comments welcomed by Friday 7 September.
To email your thoughts send a message to pedalpower@durham.gov.uk with “Draft Strategic Cycling and Walking Delivery Plan” as the subject.
Once all feedback has been received the views expressed will be taken into consideration and a final version of the plan will be presented to Cabinet in November 2018.
