Cycle Networks

Sustainable travel initiatives have the potential to add real value to the next round of Local Transport Plans (LTP). This guide seeks to complement statutory LTP Guidance by providing support for developing a sustainable travel business case based on the latest evidence and good practice from around the country.

Being more than just cycle and wallking infrastructure, Greenways truely transform urban areas. This guide covers the philosophy, design and construction of Greenways as multi-user paths for commuting and leisure. The distillation of 30 years of Sustrans' path building experience - the Connect2 Greenway Guide is an indispensible tool for anyone involved in the construction, maintenance and promotion of cycling and walking.

This toolkit is designed to assist with the development of programmes of road safety measures within a prioritised action programme. It provides valuable information that will assist in the choice of effective ways to reduce road traffic injuries. Whilst it can be used on its own to select measures to address specific problems that have been identified, it is not a substitute for the more systematic approach to road safety management and casualty reduction that is recommended in the World Report. A forthcoming report from the OECD provides detailed guidance on the achievement of targeted casualty reductions using a systems approach.

In 2000,1 the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (now the Department for Transport, DfT) published its strategy for road safety in Tomorrows Roads Safer for Everyone. In this document Mixed Priority Routes were identified as being among the least safe of urban roads. Subsequently, the DfT invited local highway authorities to submit schemes for inclusion in the Mixed Priority Routes (MPR) Road Safety Demonstration Project where DfT grants of up to £1 million were available for each participating authority. The ten schemes selected to be included in the project covered a spectrum of different types of authority and highway characteristics. This document reviews the experience from the ten schemes involved in the Demonstration Project and presents the lessons learned through the project to assist practitioners develop similar successful schemes. This report provides guidance for project managers and senior technical staff who might be involved in the development and delivery of MPR schemes, building on the experience of those that have already been through the process and understand the organisation and delivery issues involved. The MPR schemes have unique technical solutions to the redesign of their streets. It is not the purpose of this document to set out technical solutions. A brochure entitled High Street Renaissance and detailed scheme reports are also published on the DfT website, www.dft.org.uk. Summary Mixed Priority Routes are streets that carry high levels of traffic and also have: a mix of residential use and commercial frontages; a mix of road users, i.e. shoppers, cyclists, bus passengers, schoolchildren; a mix of parking and deliveries; They are not just transport routes. Although dealing with transport and safety is a key element, other concerns associated with the local economy and local communities may also generate an interest in improving the area with economic regeneration and environmental improvements. There are many benefits to be gained from enhancing the high street environment with an integrated approach. The investment is likely to contribute towards assisting the delivery of a range of local authority corporate objectives and targets including: accessibility planning; accident reduction; economic regeneration; Public Service Agreement; quality of life; and sustainability.

Encouraging more people to cycle is increasingly being seen as a vital part of any local authority plan to tackle congestion, improve air quality, promote physical activity and improve accessibility. This design guide brings together and updates guidance previously available in a number of draft Local Transport Notes and other documents. Although its focus is the design of cycle infrastructure, parts of its advice are equally appropriate to improving conditions for pedestrians. The guidance covers England, Wales and Scotland. Where the text refers to highway authorities (for England and Wales), the equivalent term in Scotland is road authorities.

This booklet shows how an innovative scheme such as Links to Schools benefits not just children, but their wider community, while achieving many of the key ambitions of local authorities’ Local Transport Plans. In addition, Local Transport Plans should seek to minimise pollution while improving access. We can’t build our way out of the problems of poor air quality, and an ever-increasing number of roads fracture communities and reduce access. The only exception is to build and improve a different kind of infrastructure – one that creates a safe environment for walking and cycling.

Walking and cycling: an action plan, which was published on 16 June 2004, sets out measures from across government to increase levels of active travel. This companion guide contains 50 examples of successful schemes from across England. They have all achieved significant results with often modest, but always well-chosen initiatives, which have improved local conditions for walking and cycling and encouraged people to get around on foot and by bike. These schemes illustrate clear benefits in terms of reduced congestion, improved public health and enhanced quality of local streets and spaces.

Well-Maintained Highways, the code of practice for highway maintenance management was published in July 2005. It provides local authorities with guidance on highways management in an ever changing environment, creating a strong foundation for a positive and lasting maintenance policy. Adoption of the recommendations in this code will help the delivery of Best Value services.

This PPS sets out the Department's planning policies for vehicular and pedestrian access, transport assessment, the protection of transport routes and parking. It forms an important element in the integration of transport and land use planning. It embodies the Government's commitments to the provision of a modern, safe, sustainable transport system, the improvement of mobility for those who are socially excluded or whose mobility is impaired, the promotion of healthier living and improved road safety.

Safe Routes to Stations projects enable more passengers to walk and cycle to railway stations. This is achieved through the provision of safe, direct routes, making changes to the highway to reduce traffic speeds and volumes, re-allocating road space and revising station approaches in favour of pedestrians and cyclists. Safe Routes to Stations projects are, of necessity, co-operative ventures involving local authorities, Train Operating Companies (TOCs), and Network Rail.