An Active Travel Stakeholder Group has been set up to bring together representation from user groups whose focus is to enhance the counties walking, wheeling and cycling network.

The stakeholder group brings together both public and private organisations to support cycling, walking and wheeling as a natural choice for shorter journeys.

The group will have the opportunity to comment, using their expertise, on developing plans from proposal through to delivery to ensure that appropriate representation from user groups has been considered at each stage.

The group will meet quarterly, with additional meetings and sub-groups meeting more often online.

The first meeting of the group took place on 10 May 2023 and was chaired by Councillor Mike Rouse, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport. The meeting brought together over 30 participants from various backgrounds, representing groups and organisations from across the county.

If you represent a group or organisation in the county and would like to get involved, let us know by emailing MIP@worcestershire.gov.uk

Agendas

Active Travel Stakeholder Group Agenda 25 January 2024 (PDF)

New crossings now open

The two new Toucan Crossings across the western arms of the A38 and an upgraded uncontrolled crossing over Meadow Road are now open.

The new route linking Kidderminster Road to Westwood Road has also been installed.

There will be some additional widening works, later in the year, along Kidderminster Road to accommodate a shared use path.

A38 Westlands Toucan Crossing Map - 101A (PDF)

Map description: This map shows the positioning of the new Toucan Crossing on the A38 arm of the Westland Roundabout towards Worcester. The crossing will be 4 metres wide, there will be a 3.5 metre shared use cycle/footway to the north and south of the new crossing.

Other works include, narrowing parts of the roundabout to reduce vehicle speeds, new keep clear marking on the roundabout and reducing the size of the traffic splitter island on the Kidderminster Road exit to accommodate the wider cycle/footpaths on either side.

There will also be a proposed new speed limit of 30mph,  tree planting in the centre of the roundabout, wildflowers in various locations and new cycling and walking signage. New lighting columns will be installed on Kidderminster Road.

A38 Westlands Toucan Crossing Map - 102A (PDF)

Map description: This map shows the crossing on the Meadow Road approach to Westlands Roundabout being raised across a narrowed junction, to provide a priority footway crossing. There will also be a variety of new humps ahead, shared use cycle/footway and distance signs installed at various points around the new crossing.

There’s also a new Toucan Crossing being installed on A38 Roman Way, which will be 4 metres wide and linking into paths either side. The map also shows the existing carriageway being narrowed to reduce speeds, new trees planted on the approach to the new crossing, new illuminated crossing signs and various other walking and cycling signage.

Public meeting

A public meeting was held on 21 November 2024 to provide an update and answer questions relating to the A38 Toucan crossing scheme at Westlands Roundabout.

Download notes from the Westlands Roundabout public meeting (PDF)

St Peter’s Drive Toucan 101A Map (PDF)

Map description: This map shows a new Toucan Crossing on St Peter’s Drive, at the junction with Norton Road. The crossing will be 4 metres wide and link into shared use cycle/footways on either side. Works will also take place to install new and remove old signage. The map shows  a zoomed out and close up version of the works.

WAV ATC Over 003A Map (PDF)

Map description: This map shows works on Norton Road to create the 3 metre wide footpath, removing the current segregation. The map also highlights where new signage and benches will be positioned, as well as detailing works to install uncontrolled crossings on junctions with Connaught Close and Arden Road.

WAV ATC Over 001B Map (PDF)

This map shows the proposed Active Travel Corridor from Diglis Road to Barnshall Avenue with the proposed interventions.  These include the installation of Sinusoidal tables, lining and signing, dropped kerbs and a proposed 20mph zone.

WAV ATC Over 002B Map (PDF)

This map shows the proposed Active Travel Corridor from Barnshall Avenue to Power Park with the proposed interventions.  These include the installation of Sinusoidal tables, lining and signing, dropped kerbs and a proposed 20mph zone.

Bath Road Toucan Crossing 101B Map (PDF)

Map description: This map shows a new 4 metre wide Toucan Crossing installed on Bath Road, just north of the junction with Norton Road and Barneshall Avenue. The new crossing will link into shared use cycle/footways on either side.

There will be new walking and cycling signage at various locations, as well as a new uncontrolled crossing and dropped kerb on the Norton Road approach to Bath Road. There will also be a new 20mph zone and signage to advise of the new limit on Norton Road.

Our Local Transport Plan 4 (2018 to 2030) sets out 28 active travel corridors setting the strategic direction for the Local Cycling and Walking infrastructure Plans (LCWIP).

 Our first LCWIP for Evesham is being finalised, by consultants and we have commissioned a second from Sustrans for Redditch.

The Active Travel capability ratings, published on Thursday 5 September 2024 by Active Travel England, show that we are one of four local authorities to move up from level zero to level one. This will enable us to bid for more Government funding going forwards, to help achieve plans for active travel improvements across the county.

We have worked very closely with Active Travel England since the zero rating in 2022, with us working as a level one authority in recent months. The uplift in the rating has already benefitted the county, with a successful bid to help fund improvements at Westlands Roundabout in Droitwich and between Diglis Bridge and Power Park in Worcester.

Level 0

• no local leadership or support for active travel
• no plans in place
• delivered lower complexity schemes only

Level 1 

• some local leadership and support
• basic plans and isolated interventions

Level 2

• strong local leadership and support
• strong plans and emerging network

Level 3

• very strong local leadership and support
• comprehensive plans
• majority of the network in place with increasing modal share

Level 4

• promoted walking and cycling by creating a culture of active travel
• well-connected network and supportive policies, aiming to decrease reliance on car trips