Newark have identified a series of desired cycle routes throughout the town and have obtained funding to build some of the proposed routes. They have been collecting feedback on which should be the priorities.
Funding for the work has come from the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which can also provides funds for Derby and Derbyshire.
The Newark plans have the goals of:
- make cycling to work a viable choice for a significant proportion of local residents
- greatly improve the cycle infrastructure network by addressing gaps in the network which are a major barrier to accessing large employment and housing sites
- create safe, direct, convenient, attractive and continuous cycle routes.
The proposals will also deliver other key benefits such as:
- positive public health (more people exercising)
- environmental – emissions and air quality reduced
- reduce traffic congestion – modal shift to cycling.
It is accepted that not all the desired routes can be built immediately but the town has managed to put in place a long term strategy and this has directly led to some initial funding.
Let’s see Derby create a similar long term plan of what a future network should look like.
Details and maps of the Newark plans here