Walking and Cycling
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Cycling and walking are critical in creating an integrated and balanced transport network.
They play a central role in reducing pollution and cutting congestion. They are also a healthy way of getting about. |
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Obesity is a growing problem in the UK. It leads to sickness, which damages the economy and costs the health service. It puts a strain on the whole of society.
Cycling and walking do not create carbon dioxide - the main gas responsible for climate change. So by encouraging cycling and walking we can have a positive global impact too.
In three years Staffordshire County Council spent almost £4.6million on improving the street scene for walkers. £3 million of this was spent on the Safer Routes to School programme - which you can read more about by looking at the Road Safety pages.
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Improvements include new pedestrian crossings, improved signage and barriers, anti-skid surfacing on roads, traffic calming schemes, vehicle activated speed signs and a whole host of other techniques.
We have involved communities and schools directly in developing schemes.
We spend over £40million a year on highway improvements, and every scheme puts road safety first and considers the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. |
We have dedicated specialists working on these areas, but their work is carefully integrated into the overall transport planning process. It ensures a balanced transport strategy. Have a look at this link to find out more about Transport Planning.
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Cyclists have benefitted from over £2.3million spent over the last 3 years. This included new cycle lanes across the county, integrated into highway improvement schemes and as part of permissions for new housing and economic developments. New cycle lanes have been delivered in Lichfield, Newcastle Under Lyme and in Burntwood - to name just a few.
We work very closely with cycling groups and have a very productive relationship with the national Sustainable Transport organisation Sustrans, who are developing the National Cycle network. We have worked closely with them to deliver links in the National Network in Stafford, in Biddulph and in Gnosall. |
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You can download a copy of the County's Cycling Strategy here:
Staffordshire County Council's Cycling Strategy (247Kb)
For further information on how we plan for and deliver improvements in cycling contact our Transport Policy Team by calling Mark Evans on 01785 854033.
Alternatively, if you have a complaint or spot a problem on our cycle network please call 0800 232323 or email
clarence@staffordshire.gov.uk.
If you would like copies of our published cycle maps please contact Sonia on 01785 276615 or email carshare@staffordshire.gov.uk
Our Travelwise Road Safety Team are dedicated to raising awareness of the links between travel, health, the environment and the economy.
This year Staffordshire topped the league of Midlands councils in getting schools to sign up to developing their own School Travel Plans - encouraging kids to cycle and walk to school in safety. Over 140 schools joined in.
The Travelwise Road Safety team have been encouraging thousands of children to walk to school during National Walk to School Weeks in the Spring and Autumn terms. Throughout the year they co-ordinate walking bus schemes and safer routes to school schemes. It's all about educating and involving people wherever possible, bringing schools and the community together to make their streets safer for everyone.
Try this link if you want to know more about the Travelwise Road Safety
The Green Travel Team are getting businesses on board too, encouraging the development of Business Green Travel Plans - encouraging employees to Share a Lift, giving loans for bus passes and new bikes, and a host of other incentives and support. You can get details of this scheme by going to www.Share-A-Lift.com.
If you want more information about Green Travel and the Travelwise campaign contact Sonia Atkins and the Green Travel team on 01785 276615.
Last Modified:
03/04/2008 13:19:02
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