Frequently asked questions

Please find answers to common questions about the D2N2 Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

The Government has a target for 50% of all journeys in towns and cities to be walked or cycled by 2030. The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) aims to:

  • Set priorities for investment in walking and cycling;
  • Develop a planned cycling network linking key origins and destinations, with appropriate provision depending on speed and volume of motor traffic;
  • Embed the requirements of cyclists and pedestrians in other transport schemes; and
  • Help make the case for future funding for cycling and walking infrastructure.

In the future, the Government wants every local authority to have an adopted LCWIP. The benefits of increasing the number of walking and cycling trips include:

  • Supporting the economy, by providing safe alternative travel options and addressing congestion;
  • Enabling short journeys by making cycling and walking safer, more convenient and accessible to all;
  • Improving health and quality of life, by enabling people to be more active in everyday life;
  • Tackling climate change and improving air quality;
  • Creating safer streets and more pleasant neighbourhoods; and
  • Enhancing the tourism offer of the area.

The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) has been prepared in accordance with Department for Transport (DfT) guidance. The process for developing a plan includes:

  • A review of current strategies and programmes for cycling and walking improvements;
  • A review of demand for ‘short trips’ that could transfer to cycling and walking based on:
    • Analysis of census Journey to Work data as used in the Propensity to Cycle Tool
    • Locations of new/recent significant development
    • Locations of local attractions that generate tourism/leisure based trips
    • Data about levels of use on existing routes

Inputs have also been included from local authority officers and other stakeholders (such as the national cycling charity, Sustrans) with knowledge about gaps in the network and route improvements that we would like to address, as well as opportunities linked to future development planning and highway improvements.

The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) shows indicative corridors along which each authority has identified the need to provide new cycling and walking infrastructure, or improvements to existing routes. The delivery programmes show which corridors each authority has identified as currently being the highest priority. These may be subject to change and will be dependent on future funding opportunities.

Funding for schemes could come from a variety of sources, including:

  • Central Government funding (e.g. Transforming Cities Fund, Town Deals, Future High Streets Fund, Local Growth Fund, Large Local Major funding, Active Travel Fund, Housing Infrastructure Fund);
  • Private sector (including developer contributions);
  • Local Authority funding; and
  • National Highways Designated Funds.

This range of funding opportunities is part of the reason why adopting a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) is important, as it will allow the development of a co-ordinated network as funding opportunities are identified.

The Government regularly announces funding opportunities for local authorities to improve walking and cycling infrastructure. These funding opportunities require authorities to show how any schemes will contribute to local walking and cycling strategies. The Government has stated that local authorities with Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIP) will be better positioned to secure future funding for active travel.

The purpose of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) is the prioritisation of routes along the identified corridors for future investment. The development of individual schemes along the corridors themselves is a separate process and will be subject to funding being made available. The design work will be undertaken on a scheme by scheme basis, with consultation being undertaken at the earliest opportunity with elected members and the public/businesses at various stages within the design process. Schemes will be subject to each local authority’s approval process.

We are working up a pipeline of schemes but delivery is dependent on securing the necessary funding and feasibility. We are expecting to make funding bids this calendar year for the next three year period and then look to work up a further five year programme when the next set of schemes will be included and put forward for further funding. The information provided is indicative, the programmes are flexible and maybe subject to change.

We are at an early stage of the overall Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) process. The routes shown are ‘corridors’ and therefore are only an indication of where we would like connections and be able to provide walking and cycling infrastructure. When a scheme has been identified, it will be subject to public consultation at the earliest opportunity, this will include liaison with affected properties.

The LCWIP identified corridors where improvements were needed for cycling and walking and this was supported by previous stakeholder engagement. Since the undertaking of this element of work, the Department for Transport has produced new design standards, LTN 1/20, which means not all the existing network is now up to standard. Therefore some authorities have subsequently revisited their existing networks and connecting links/corridors and identified those which also need improving, should funding opportunities be available.

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