Whilst our main focus has been on Backwell, there are also some encouraging initiatives being pursued elsewhere in the North Somerset area. We've focussed in this blog on those which seek to improve cycling and walking facilities within existing built-up areas, but there are also other initiatives to provide safe multi-user links between communities.
Nailsea
In September 2012 a Nailsea Town Councillor highlighted an initiative by the Welsh Government as reported in Planning magazine - see the following extract from the Council's minutes:
The magazine “Planning” reported the following in May 2012:
“The Welsh government has unveiled
proposals to legally require councils to plan fully integrated networks of
walking and cycling paths. A white paper, published for
consultation last week, sets out proposals to require Welsh local authorities
to identify and map the network of routes within their areas that are safe and
appropriate for these activities.
The plans contained in the white
paper would also require councils in Wales to identify and map the enhancements
that would be required to create a fully integrated network for walking and
cycling, and develop a prioritised list of schemes to deliver the network.
In a statement, the Welsh government
said that the key aim of the proposals was to see local authorities
"enabling and encouraging more people to walk and cycle in Wales by
connecting key sites such as hospitals, schools and shopping areas with traffic-free
routes and cycle lanes". Wales' transport minister Carl
Sargeant said that the proposals represented an "ambitious and radical
plan to dramatically increase the numbers of people walking and cycling in
Wales".
It
is proposed that this matter could be referred for consideration by a working
party”.
Cllr
Philip Barclay
“To promote the use of rights of way, whether
officially designated or not, as assets for the benefit of residents. This
includes developing new routes and considering how all such routes can be
maintained. To work with any relevant organisation in pursuit of these goals.
In all considerations, balancing the needs of all users including the less able
bodied and the disabled will be taken into account.”
Initiatives currently
being explored by the Working Party include:
A
proposed 2.5 mile route for wheelchair users, a draft of which is shown in purple below:
A proposed cycle route from Millennium Park to North Drove:
A route from linking Backwell Lake and the Perrings. No map is available but it is understood it would follow the existing bridleway between the north shore of the lake to the open area adjacent to The Perrings.
Clevedon
Meanwhile in Clevedon a group called Transition Clevedon are focussing on sustainability issues including transport: according to their website:
Short Term
To concentrate on cycling provision within Clevedon.
To look at existing cycle paths and signage, to work with appropriate groups and to make recommendations to the council for expanding and integrating the systems.
Long Term
To look at existing cycle paths and signage, to work with appropriate groups and to make recommendations to the council for expanding and integrating the systems.
Long Term
In relation to cycling provision within Clevedon, the website reports as follows:
"Paths in Clevedon
A draft proof map has recently been circulated by North Somerset Council's Sustainable Travel Team, shown below. A copy of the full document can be found here
These are very much locally-driven initiatives, which is as it should be, given that the people best placed to create such path networks are the residents of the communities which they will serve. Hopefully, however, communities such as Nailsea and Clevedon - and Backwell - can work together to share ideas and experiences as each seeks to develop their networks.
As we become aware of further such developments we will highlight them in this blog.
