Worcestershire County Council’s commitment to improving provision for those who walk, wheel and cycle in the county has been recognised in Active Travel England’s latest capability ratings.
The ratings, published today (Thursday 5 September), show that the County Council is one of four local authorities to move up from level zero to level one. This will enable the County Council to bid for more Government funding going forwards, to help achieve plans for active travel improvements across the county.
Although the change was officially announced today, the Council has worked very closely with Active Travel England since receiving the level zero rating and has been 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.
Councillor Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “Following our rating last year, a lot of hard work has gone into ensuring that we’re in a better place this year, and it’s great that our aspirations to improve active travel across the county has been recognised in the latest ratings.
“The additional funding and support that we’re now able to access as a level one authority will help us drive forward the plans we have for the county.
“The hard work doesn’t stop here though, and I’m very keen that we continue to improve the provision for those walking and cycling and help people to leave their car at home.”
As part of the plan to improve active travel in Worcestershire, the County Council is working on Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) for each district.
LCWIPs are an initiative from Central Government asking local authorities to put together a long-term strategic approach for the walking and cycling infrastructure which is required across an area.
There is currently an engagement exercise open for people to comment on the plan for Evesham and opportunities to provide feedback in other areas of the county will follow in due course. If you’d like to comment on plans in Evesham, please visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/eveshamlcwip
To find out more about the County Council’s plans for active travel, to see schemes delivered over the past 12 months and for details about current works, visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/activetravelimprovements.
ENDS
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