Cumbria County Council has started public consultation on proposals to improve the cycling and walking offer along key corridors within Cumbria.
The Cumbria Transport Infrastructure Plan (CTIP) developed by Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) explains the role of transportation and connectivity in supporting sustainable and inclusive growth in Cumbria.
In conjunction with the CTIP and the county’s six Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), the county council would like to hear from residents, businesses, and visitors about project developments within two key corridors: Hadrian’s Wall and West Coast, and the Heart of the Lakes.
As part of proposals for the Hadrian’s Wall and West Coast corridor, the Hadrian’s Wall Cycling and Walking Corridor (HWCWC) project aims to develop a multi-user route that will support active travel by linking communities and visitor attractions. This will deliver benefits to both local residents and visitors by enabling green and active travel choices. The route, which will be off-road (where possible) and would run from Gilsland, east of Carlisle, to Ravenglass, and then on to Millom, in the south of the county.
As part of the proposals for the Heart of the Lakes corridor, the See More Lake District Cycling (SMLDC) project aims to enhance the cycling provision to improve the visitor experience, attract more participants, and disperse visitors away from the usual honeypot locations, helping to diversify and revitalise the local economy. The project also benefits local residents who are searching for active travel and leisure opportunities within Cumbria.
Both projects are part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal which could potentially see up to £10million (£4million for HWCWC and £6million for SMLDC) of UK Government funding invested, subject to business case approval. The county council will not be able to deliver all the proposals with this level of funding therefore feedback to help prioritise the routes is welcomed, it said.
Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “Cycling and walking have many benefits, not just for our health but also for improving air quality, reducing congestion, and enhancing the vibrancy of our towns.”
“We are very fortunate to live in a beautiful county that has so much to offer, and people come from all over to enjoy it. By improving connectivity at these locations, and making visitor experiences even better, we can attract new visitors and retain the ones we have, which will help to give the local economy a boost.”
