Two new active travel schemes to make it easier and safer for residents to walk and cycle are set to be approved at an upcoming cabinet meeting this week in a bid to help residents become more active as they sustainably travel around the city of Peterborough.
If funding is approved by members, then the work for Thorpe Wood Cycleway and School Streets will be commissioned to Milestone Infrastructure Limited.
Thorpe Wood
The Thorpe Wood cycleway looks to connect the replacement footbridge currently being progressed by the A1260 Junction 15 project with existing cycleways off Thorpe Wood, and into the Anglian Water Offices.
The scheme will provide an improved travel route for cyclists and encourage motorists to make a swap from commuting via car. The new path is expected to increase health and wellbeing for local residents, as they will have a better opportunity to walk and cycle more regularly.
Public consultation on the concept of the Thorpe Wood cycleway was undertaken from 21 October to 4 December 2020 as part of the Junction 15 (A1260 Nene Parkway / A47 Soke Parkway) highway improvement scheme consultation. Further consultation with key stakeholders will occur during the next stage of the design process to inform the design and highlight whether any further changes are needed.
School Streets
School Streets is a proactive initiative for schools to help tackle pollution, reduce congestion and road danger as children and families make their way to and from school. It promotes a healthier lifestyle, and safe active travel that results in a better environment for all.
The scheme temporarily closes roads outside the entrance of a school, enabling it to become a foot, cycle or scoot lane during the school’s busy opening and closing times.
After a successful temporary roll out during the pandemic, many more schools were keen to get involved. There are now currently 13 ‘School Streets’ in operation and the further funding will be used to establish more school streets with interested schools where possible.
These schemes are key fundamental parts of the emerging strategy for the city as outlined in the CPCA’s emerging Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP).
All residents and parents/guardians of all children attending the schools wishing to take part in School Streets are informed in advance of introducing new access restrictions. This offers an opportunity to address any issues and concerns from those affected. Formal consultation of any new traffic regulation orders (a requirement for School Streets) is undertaken first before they can be applied.
Councillor Marco Cereste, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning, Housing and Transport said, “It’s important that Peterborough residents have safe opportunities to exercise and travel without using a car, and I’m pleased that both the Thorpe Wood and School Streets schemes are taking a big step towards that.
“Active travel isn’t just fantastic for our health; it is a great way for our environment as it reduces our pollution and emissions.”
