ASHFORD CYCLING & WALKING STRATEGY 2019-2029 CONTENTS Introduction 4 Benefits of Cycling and Walking 6 The Local Transport Plan 9 Cycling Trends in Ashford 8 Ashford’s Corporate Strategy 11 A picture of Cycling and Walking in Ashford today 12 Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIP) 14 Our Ambitions 15 Overall Aim of the Cycling and Walking Strategy 16 Over-arching principles 17 The Delivery Plan 23 Funding 23 Partnerships 23 Appendix – Delivery Plan 24 3 INTRODUCTION The Ashford Cycling and Walking Strategy brings The Ashford urban area is served by an excellent together policies and related actions to promote network of cycleways and footpaths, many of which walking and cycling and the delivery of related are based along the existing river corridors and have infrastructure in Ashford Borough with the aim been delivered as part of the green corridor project of increasing the proportion of journeys made by these active travel modes The number of cyclists using the routes to commute to the station has increased significantly The Strategy provides a basis for making bids for so there is already a significant amount of existing improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure infrastructure in place and a key challenge is to in Ashford Borough. increase awareness and promote its use whilst also making sure the infrastructure is improved The Strategy will help to secure support for walking and extended where possible. and cycling for other possible funding streams eg. Developer funding via s106 obligations and CIL The Strategy also seeks to increase cycling participation for recreation and leisure and daily The emphasis of the Strategy has been on journeys by promoting cycling as a key priority, identifying the improvements required to deliver providing new facilities and enhancing existing a comprehensive and well connected walking facilities and promoting local participatory events. and cycling network which will help to make both cycling and walking more attractive for journeys within the borough. 4 5 BENEFITS OF CYCLING AND WALKING In towns and cities across Britain, increasingly cycling and walking are becoming more and more popular and is regarded as the preferred means of travel – it is a quick, easy and green way of getting around – whether for work, going to school , or simply leisure and fitness. HEALTH – by making cycling and walking the SUSTAINABLE GROWTH – building norm and incorporating it into everyday life, cycling and walking infrastructure into new particularly in making short trips, this improves developments can make sure that they are fully physical activity and fitness, and contributes integrated into the developments from the to the promotion of healthy lifestyles. outset and ensure that they are linked to the wider network of existing and proposed routes . ENVIRONMENT – cycling and walking are low impact, zero emissions means of getting SAFETY – the more people who travel from A to B and by replacing car journeys by bike, the more it helps to change the with trips by bike it will help to improve air perception of cycling as a means of travel. quality and create a better living environment. TRANSPORT – travelling by bike can help TOURISM – promoting cycling and walking to reduce congestion and free up road tourism benefits related businesses – space for businesses and other road users. cafes and pubs, local attractions benefited such as museums and historic houses SOCIAL INCLUSION – cycling and walking and accommodation providers. It can also provide an affordable way of getting around for lead to the promotion of local businesses people who do not have access to a private car. catering for the needs of cyclists. 6 The Government’s targets to reach by 2025 are: • Double cycling from 0.8 billion to 1.6 billion stages (a stage is a unit of travel when there is a change in the mode of transport ie. a journey cycling to a railway station to catch the train to work is one cycle stage. This allows cycling and walking to be included and counted in journeys when they are not the main mode.) • Increase walking to 300 stages per person per year • Reduce the number of cyclists killed or injured each year • Increase the percentage of school children (5-10 years) that walk to school from 49% to 55% 7 By 2040 the government’s ambition for cycling and walking is to deliver, BETTER SAFETY BETTER MOBILITY ‘A safe and reliable way to travel for short journeys’ ‘More people cycling and walking – easy, normal and enjoyable’ • streets where cyclists and walkers feel they belong, and are safe • more high quality cycling facilities • better connected communities • more urban areas that are considered walkable • safer traffic speeds, with lower speed limits where • rural roads which provide improved safety for appropriate to the local area walking and cycling • cycle training opportunities for all children • more networks of routes around public transport hubs and town centres, with safe paths along BETTER STREETS busy roads ‘Places that have cycling and walking at their heart’ • better links to schools and workplaces • technological innovations that can promote • places designed for people of all abilities and ages more and safer walking and cycling so they can choose to walk or cycle with ease • behaviour change opportunities to support • improved public realm increased walking and cycling • better planning for walking and cycling • better integrated routes for those with disabilities • more community-based activities, such as led rides or health conditions and play streets where local places want them • a wider green network of paths, routes and open spaces 8 THE LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN The Local Transport Plan – Delivering Growth and to support the rural economy. Much of the Without Gridlock 2016-2031 – identifies the network still fulfils the purpose from which it transport priorities for Kent through appropriate evolved: providing motor-vehicle free access to strategies, policies and action plans. The LTP schools, public transport hubs and local amenities. specifically seeks to deliver a safer road, footway It has been demonstrated that walking, cycling and cycleway network to reduce the likelihood and access to green spaces improves overall health – of casualties, to deliver schemes that reduce the including lowering blood pressure, reducing environmental footprint of transport, and to provide stress, and improving mental health. Further, the and promote active travel choices for all members attraction of these routes draws visitors to Kent, of the community to encourage good health and and countryside recreational activities benefit the wellbeing, and implement measures to improve local economy, which in turn supports essential local air quality. services in rural areas. The LTP aims to make active travel – which means The LTP specifically identifies Ashford as a Cycling walking or cycling as a means of transport rather Town. The delivery of an improving cycle network than for leisure purposes – an attractive and realistic and the doubling of cycle parking at Ashford choice for short journeys. It can benefit health and International Station in 2015 (as well as its 2010 wellbeing by incorporating physical activity into Station of the Year award in the National Cycle everyday routine as well as reduce the number of Rail Awards) provide opportunities to capitalise vehicles on the road and improve air quality. on the use of this mode of transport. KCC manages a network of 7,000km of public rights of way. People use this network to access the countryside, as a means to enjoy beautiful landscapes, to improve their health and wellbeing, 9 10 ASHFORD’S CORPORATE STRATEGY Ashford’s Five Year Corporate Plan 2015 – 2020 sets out the Council’s direction and key priorities and specifically highlights the importance of sustainable modes of transport and in particular includes two priorities below. PRIORITY 3 - ACTIVE AND CREATIVE ASHFORD – Healthy Choices through Physical, Cultural and Leisure Engagement – develop a “cycle town” strategy. PRIORITY 4 – ATTRACTIVE ASHFORD – Countryside and Townscape, Tourism and Heritage – Develop cycle town strategy and connections between green spaces via cycle and footpath links. 11 LOCAL CYCLING AND WALKING INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS (LCWIP) Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans The Borough Council was part of a Department (LCWIPs), as set out in the Government’s Cycling of Transport pilot project to trial the preparation and Walking Investment Strategy, are a new, of LCWIPs and received support from consultants strategic approach to identifying cycling and to analyse local census data to establish the most walking improvements required at the local level. heavily used cycling and walking routes where key improvements would secure the greatest benefits. They enable a long-term approach to developing The key routes are set out in the delivery plan. local cycling and walking networks, ideally over a 10 year period, and form a vital part of the While the preparation of LCWIPs is non-mandatory, Government’s strategy to increase the number it has been indicated by the DfT that those local of trips made on foot or by bicycle. authorities who have plans will be well placed to make the case for future investment. 12 OUR AMBITIONS • Ashford Borough is recognised as a cycling and • Cyclists and walkers are more aware of walking friendly borough their rights and responsibilities to other road and path users • Cycling and walking routes are high quality, safe, accessible, well maintained,