Draft Regulation 18 Sandwell Local Plan
Cycling and Walking Networks
11.41 The development of sustainable modes of travel and encouraging people out of their cars, particularly for shorter and commuter journeys, is an important element of Strategic Objectives 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16 and 18. Places need to be well-connected with attractive, convenient, direct and safe routes available to non-car users, thus providing real choice.
11.42 The cycle network in the West Midlands consists of three tiers;
- The National Cycle Network (NCN) – identified and developed by Sustrans in partnership with local authorities and shown on the Transport Key Diagram. This network provides long distance routes across the country linking major destinations.
- The Metropolitan Network (known as the Starley Network) – identified by WMCA in Movement for Growth and developed through the West Midlands Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (WM LCWIP). These routes link strategic locations in the West Midlands and are also shown on the Transport Key Diagram.
- Local Networks – These are identified through individual authorities' LCWIPs and are identified on the Transport Key Diagram (Figure 13).
11.43 The emerging Black Country Cycling Strategy will provide greater detail on those sections of the Starley network and the most important links in the local network.
Policy STR5 – Creating Coherent Networks for Cycling and Walking
- By working in partnership with Transport for West Midlands and neighbouring local authorities, Sandwell will ensure that it can create and maintain a comprehensive cycle network based on the four tiers of the West Midlands cycle network, including the use of common cycle infrastructure design standards such as LTN1/20 and Manual for Streets 2 or such future relevant guidance as may be appropriate.
- Creating an environment that encourages active travel requires new developments to link to existing walking and cycling networks. The links should be coherent, safe, direct, comfortable, attractive, and not impeded by other infrastructure including that provided for other forms of transport and digital / communication infrastructure.
- Where possible, existing links including the canal network should be enhanced and the networks extended to serve new developments.
- New developments should have good walking and cycling links to public transport nodes and interchanges.
- Where possible, a compact and legible urban realm with easy to reach destinations on foot and by cycle should be delivered, including appropriate signage and wayfinding.
- Cycle parking facilities should be provided at all new developments and should be in convenient locations with good natural surveillance, e.g., near to main front entrances for short stay visitors or under shelter for long stay visitors.
- The number of cycle parking spaces required in new developments and in public realm schemes should be determined using the guidance and standards set out in Appendix L.
- Sandwell Council will work with Transport for West Midlands and neighbouring local authorities on expanding the West Midlands Cycle Hire scheme and location and provision of cycle hire infrastructure will be integral when determining new development.
- The design of cycle infrastructure should be in accordance with the principles and standards contained in the Department for Transport's Local Transport Note 1/20 (LTN1/20): Cycle Infrastructure Design.
- Where feasible, to improve the local environment for pedestrians and cyclists, measures to manage traffic should be considered, which may include measures such as modal filters, reducing traffic speeds, road space reallocation, and implementing parking management policies.
Justification
11.44 It is essential that the development of walking and cycling facilities are an integral part of the transport system both on the highway network, canal corridors, Public Rights of Way and on other paths. Comprehensive cycle and walking networks within Sandwell will enable communities to access employment, public transport interchanges, services and facilities in a sustainable way.
11.45 A transport network that facilitates car use and disadvantages walking and cycling can adversely affect the health and well-being of its communities. Identifying and overcoming barriers to walking and cycling during development processes will encourage a renaissance of walking and cycling within the borough and help improve the health and well-being of local communities by reducing the incidence of obesity, coronary heart disease, strokes, and diabetes.
11.46 Both walking and cycling are active modes of travel with clear health benefits. The implementation recognises the specific requirements of each with dedicated, segregated cycling provision being the default objective along with a comprehensive network of walking opportunities available both on highway and off road.
11.47 Walking and cycling strategies are incorporated within Movement for Growth. The over-arching framework is the West Midlands Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan. The four Black Country local authorities are jointly preparing a Cycling Strategy for the sub-region and each will develop their own local cycling and walking infrastructure plans during the lifetime of the SLP.
11.48 All new cycle facilities will be design in accordance with guidance set out in Local Transport Note 1/20 and TfWM's Cycle Design Guidance.