Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan LCWIP 1 Contents Foreword 3 1 Introduction 4 2 Integration with Active Travel Policy 7 3 Active Travel context 9 4 Network planning for cycling 14 5 Network planning for walking 24 6 Infrastructure improvements 26 7 Prioritisation, integration and next steps 30 Appendicies Appendix A Summary of Relevant Policy and Guidance 32 Appendix B Cycle Route Network Plans 36 Appendix C Eastern Area Cycle Routes 39 – Audit Key Findings and Recommended Improvements Appendix D Newbury and Thatcham Prioritised 42 Strategic Cycle Routes – Audit Key Findings and Recommended Improvements Appendix E Newbury and Thatcham 69 Key Walking Route Network Plan Appendix F Newbury and Thatcham Prioritised 70 Key Walking Routes – Audit Key Findings and Recommended Improvements 2 LCWIP Foreword West Berkshire Council is pleased to present our district. This joined-up approach covered our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure cross-boundary routes and commuter zones on Plan (LCWIP) to act as a blueprint for future the urban fringe of Reading. We have adopted active travel routes in our district. It sets our a similar approach identifying walking and ambition to create a network of high-quality cycling routes in the settlements of Newbury interconnected cycle routes and walking zones and Thatcham and this report will prioritise the to encourage greater uptake of sustainable improvements of both urban areas together in travel modes. a comprehensive strategy for investment. By adopting the long-term approach provided The LCWIP has focused on identifying key by the LCWIP we can ensure that planning corridors connecting residential areas (both policy, public health, highway improvements, existing and proposed) to destinations such regeneration and developments are better as town centres, local centres, schools, linked to a coherent strategy that will employment sites and transport hubs. In the attract future funding and lead to its full past investment in active travel infrastructure implementation. The delivery of the LCWIP has often come as a by-product to larger will support the Environment Strategy and the highways schemes or development sites. The Council’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030. LCWIP instead identifies routes where it is possible to construct high-quality infrastructure Last year we worked in collaboration with to the minimum standards set out by the Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils Department for Transport in its 2020 Local to produce an LCWIP for the eastern area of Transport Note for Cycle Infrastructure Design. LCWIP 3 1. Introduction 1.1 Background the Reading LCWIP , which was prepared and adopted during 2019. 1.1.1. This is West Berkshire’s Local Cycling This was prepared jointly by Reading and Walking Infrastructure Plan Borough Council, West Berkshire (LCWIP). It provides a new, strategic Council and Wokingham Borough and long-term approach to developing Council. The relevant proposals are cycling and walking improvements. The summarised in this document. LCWIP reflects our shared ambition with central government to make cycling and 1.2.3. The LCWIP process has a focus on walking the natural choices for shorter creating walking and cycling networks journeys and for part of longer-distance that connect people with places and journeys. activities. It focuses on areas which 1.1.2. Increasing the numbers of cycling have the highest existing demand and and walking journeys is central to greatest future potential for growing tackling many of the country’s pressing cycling and walking trips. This typically challenges, including carbon emissions means that plans are focussed on built- and the climate emergency, poor air up areas, which contain most key trip quality, physical inactivity, poor public origins and destinations. health and levels of traffic congestion. 1.2.4. The LCWIP process has a particular Better active travel infrastructure can emphasis on utility journeys. These also improve access to jobs, education are everyday journeys made for a and facilities, enhance economic vitality, purpose, such as commuting to work, improve mental wellbeing, reduce accessing education, healthcare or social isolation and better placemaking retail attractions. Directness and journey improves the quality of the lived-in times are often important considerations environment. The LCWIP is one of the when making utility journeys. However, key means by which West Berkshire the West Berkshire LCWIP also identifies Council is seeking to address these leisure corridors to be developed. These issues. were informed by public feedback from 1.2 LCWIP Scope previous council consultations and stakeholder comments submitted to 1.2.1. The West Berkshire LCWIP will be date. developed over time, through an iterative process, improving active travel 1.3 LCWIP Methodology networks and aligning to corporate 1.3.1. The LCWIP was developed in objectives, transport and planning accordance with technical guidance policies. The council will focus on published by the Department for working in partnership with local Transport (DfT). Transport consultants stakeholders to identify priority areas WSP were appointed to undertake and locations for planning and providing the technical aspects of planning the infrastructure, to enable more cycling cycling and walking networks, and a and walking journeys to be made. subsequent assessment of individual 1.2.2. This iteration of the West Berkshire routes identified for improvement. LCWIP focuses on routes in the following Network planning and auditing tools areas: provided by the DfT were used for this purpose. • Newbury and Thatcham, with network planning and analysis 1.3.2. The LCWIP Technical Guidance sets out undertaken in 2020; and a recommended methodology for the • Eastern Area settlements – including development of LCWIPs. This involves Calcot, Pangbourne, Purley-on- six stages, summarised in Table 1.1. Thames and Theale – as part of 4 LCWIP [1] https://www.reading.gov.uk/council/policies-finance-and-legal-information/transport- schemes-and-projects/transport-strategy/ Table 1.1 – LCWIP Development Process Stage Name Description 1 Determining Scope Establish the geographical extent of the LCWIP, and arrangements for governing and preparing the plan. 2 Gathering Information Identify existing patterns of walking and cycling and potential new journeys. Review existing conditions and identify barriers to cycling and walking. Review related transport and land use policies and programmes. 3 Network Planning for Identify origin and destination points and cycle flows. Convert Cycling flows into a network of routes and determine the type of improvements required. 4 Network Planning for Identify key trip generators, core walking zones and Walking routes, audit existing provision and determine the type of improvements required. 5 Prioritising Prioritise improvements to develop a phased programme for Improvements future investment. 6 Integration and Integrate outputs into local planning and transport policies, Application strategies, and delivery plans. Source: LCWIP Technical Guidance for Local Authorities, DfT, April 2017 1.3.3. The key outputs of the LCWIP are: personalised travel planning, the European Union-funded EMPOWER • a network plan for walking and project and workplace cycle cycling, which identifies preferred challenge; and routes and core zones for further development; • Site meeting with Access and Disabilities User groups. • a prioritised programme of infrastructure improvements for Newbury and Thatcham area future investment; and • this report, which sets out the 1.4.2. Throughout development of the LCWIP process and underlying analysis West Berkshire Council engaged with carried out and draws together our ward members, local town and parish LCWIP outputs. councils and a range of local groups. Council officers provided updates 1.4 Engagement and consultation throughout the process to the Transport Advisory Group, Cycle Forum and Engagement to date Mid and West Berkshire Local Access Forum. Key events comprised: Eastern area • July 2020: workshop held online in 1.4.1. LCWIP engagement for the Eastern Area July 2020 to present and discuss the comprised: proposed LCWIP methodology. The • Reading Local Transport Plan workshop session discussed the key 4 consultation events, including issues and opportunities affecting meetings, public drop-in sessions cycling and walking in Newbury and responses to an online survey; and Thatcham, the important origins • The Reading Cycle Forum’s and destinations to use for network Requested Schemes List and planning and consideration of routes workshop; to be taken forward for development. • Feedback from other user groups; - A briefing note was issued in advance proving background • Feedback from initiatives, including information about LCWIPs, the [2] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/908535/cycling-walking-infrastructure-technical-guidance-document.pdf LCWIP 5 proposed methodology and the FORMAL CONSULTATION programme. 1.4.4. Formal consultation on the LCWIP took - Attendees comprised West place between February and April Berkshire Council ward members 2021. The consultation took place and officers and representatives both on a public engagement platform from Mid and West Berkshire called Commonplace3 as part of a Local Access Forum, Newbury larger Active Travel consultation which Town Council, Thatcham Town included several other schemes. Council and West Berkshire Spokes.