Plan to Encourage Active Travel on Agenda

A 15-year strategy to boost active travel in South Tyneside will be considered next week.

The Council's Cabinet will be asked to approve the Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which identifies improvements to help promote sustainable transport and reduce reliance on private car journeys.

The Department for Transport has advised local authorities that having an approved LCWIP means they are better placed to secure external funding for active travel schemes and future infrastructure projects.

To help formulate the plan, feedback was gathered from several public drop-in sessions and an online consultation tool. More than 500 submissions were received, with residents providing information about where infrastructure improvements were needed.

Cllr Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Housing and Transport, said: "This strategy will help us create an environment where cycling or walking become part of everyday life and are the natural choice for shorter journeys.

"We already have a comprehensive walking and cycling network complemented by an excellent public transport system in the borough.

"The plan provides a long-term approach which will highlight local and regional improvements to boost the number of active travel trips as well as improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

"It will help us deliver on our key priority of investing in the natural and built environment, as well as aligning with our Sustainable South Tyneside strategy, supporting our drive to decarbonise the borough."

The plan will be considered at Cabinet on Wednesday, 1 December.