Committee Report: Walking Strategy Action Plan
| Report to: | Environment Panel |
|---|---|
| Date: | 25 January 2006 |
| Subject: | Walking Strategy Action Plan |
| Report of: | Director of Planning and Regeneration |
| Director of Engineering Services | |
| Contact officer: | Ian Rowan - (01942) 404285 Damian Garner - (01942) 404061 |
| Purpose / summary: | Panel will recall adopting the Wigan Borough Walking Strategy Action Plan on 3 April 2002, and subsequent up-dates on 16 October 2003 and 25 August 2004. The purpose of this report is to inform Members of progress and provide an up-dated Walking Strategy Action Plan, formulated in line with the Strategy. |
| Alternative options considered and reason for selecting the one recommended: | N/A |
| Recommendation / decision: | Members are requested to note progress and adopt the up-dated Walking Strategy Action Plan. |
| Implications: | |
| Financial: | Schemes - 100% Local Transport Plan |
| Staffing: | Within existing levels |
| Policy: | UDP Policy A1D |
| Equal Opportunities - Has a Diversity Impact Assessment been conducted? | |
| Wards affected: | Potential to affect all wards |
| Special Interest Members – Which have been consulted |
Tracking/Process:
| Consultation | Ward Members | Partners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | |
| Panel | Overview & Scrutiny | Cabinet | Council |
| 25.01.06 | - | - | - |
Proper Officer |
Martin Kimber |
Peter Taylor |
|---|---|---|
Date |
11 January 2006 |
11 January 2006 |
1. 0 Background
1.1 Panel will recall adopting the Wigan Borough Walking Strategy Action Plan on 3 April 2002 and requesting that progress be reported to future meetings. Subsequent up-dates were reported on 16 October 2003 and 25 August 2004. The purpose of this report is to inform Members of progress and provide an up-dated Walking Strategy Action Plan, formulated in line with the Strategy.
1.2 The adoption of a Walking Strategy is a requirement of Government guidance on the preparation of Local Transport Plans (LTP), and fits with the general aim of encouraging people to adopt more beneficial methods of transport from both environmental and health perspectives.
2.0 Progress on the Action Plan
2.1 The attached Action Plan is the third up-date since the initial plan was created. The plan has been up-dated to take into account the schemes implemented in the last financial year under the Council’s Local Transport Plan (LTP). A number of specific walking schemes have been implemented, whilst other initiatives such as Travel Plans, Local Safety Schemes and Public Transport Improvements have had positive impacts upon walking in the Borough.
2.2 The Action Plan also details the Council’s proposed programme of walking improvement schemes for the current year, including on-going projects and initiatives. Some of the key points of the Action Plan are:
- On-going implementation of disabled crossing facilities, and implementation of Aspull township pedestrian improvements in 2004/05.
- Hall Lane/Ladies Lane Traffic Calming completed in 2003/04 and Rose Avenue, Beech Hill completed in 2004/05.
- Street Scene Strategy achieving significant enhancements to walking environment.
- Walking Strategy published in November 2003.
- £50,000 allocated for pedestrian schemes in 2005/06, £185,000 allocated for School Travel Plans 2005/06, £780,000 allocated for Local Safety Schemes in 2005/06 to continue improvements.
- Inclusion of policies to improve the walking environment within the First Deposit Draft Replacement Unitary Development Plan.
- Consultation with Townships in 2005 as part of 2nd five year Local Transport Plan for consideration of inclusion in schemes programme.
- Joint partnership working has commenced with the Primary Care Trust and Wigan Sustainable Travel Partnership on promoting the health benefits of walking.
3.0 Alternative Options Considered and Reason for the Recommended Option
3.1 Not applicable.
4.0 Conclusions
4.1 Members are requested to note progress made and adopt the up-dated Walking Action Plan.
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