Wyre Forest Towns local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP)

Introduction

Residents, businesses, commuters and visitors are invited to share their views on the emerging cycling and walking and wheeling proposals for the Wyre Forest Towns’ LCWIP, covering Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley. We have been working in partnership with Sustrans, the active travel charity, in developing the Wyre Forest Towns’ LCWIP.

We would like to hear your views on the emerging LCWIP, including whether the most important walking and cycling routes have been identified. We acknowledge that walking and/or cycling is not an option for everyone and so we would especially like to hear the views of people who find it challenging to walk, wheel or cycle in Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley.

Your feedback will help inform the finalised Wyre Forest Towns’ LCWIP which will set out a prioritised list of schemes for delivery over the next 10 to 15 years to improve the safety, comfort, and attractiveness of walking, cycling and wheeling. The development of an LCWIP does not guarantee funding but it allows ��ϲ��ͼ�� to make the case for funding of future cycling, walking and wheeling schemes.

For this first Wyre Forest Towns’ LCWIP, the study area covers the main urban areas of the three towns, Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley. These areas have the greatest potential for growing walking, wheeling and cycling. It is acknowledged for Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn, that the existing road bridges across the River Severn pose a challenge for improving active travel provision. For this initial engagement exercise, the emerging routes that cross the river (B1 and BW1 for Bewdley and S2 and SW1 for Stourport-on-Severn) are indicative only and is subject to feasibility to identify potential locations for new active travel bridges or other solutions.

Why are we developing a cycling and walking plan for Wyre Forest Towns?

In 2017, the Government published its first Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, which encouraged Local Authorities to prepare their own cycling and walking plans to enable a more strategic approach to improving conditions for cycling and walking. These plans, known as Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) are a strategic approach to identifying cycling and walking improvements required at a local level.

Have your say

To inform the Council's approach to providing walking, wheeling and cycling improvements in the Wyre Forest Towns, a public engagement exercise is currently underway, asking for people's views. We would like to know how the emerging LCWIP network might encourage more walking, wheeling and cycling in Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley.

This LCWIP engagement distinguishes cycling from walking and wheeling routes. However, as part of the commitment to making active travel accessible to everyone, it is intended that all cycling corridors will consider corridor-wide improvements for walking and wheeling where possible.

As many people as possible are encouraged to have their say by accessing the online maps and survey.

The engagement exercise starts on 18 November 2024 and closes at midnight on Friday 10 January 2025.

If you require assistance completing this online survey, staff at the libraries in Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley are happy to help you submit it. Otherwise, alternative formats of the survey are available on request by emailing: LCWIPs@worcestershire.gov.uk.

The emerging LCWIP network for the Wyre Forest Towns

For this public engagement, the focus for cycling is on the emerging ‘primary’ routes. Sustrans have also developed a wider cycling network incorporating ‘secondary’ and ‘link’ routes, intended to complement the ‘primary’ network. The emerging ‘primary’ cycling network consists of 15 cycling routes across Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley, including four routes that link the three towns. For each town, there is also an emerging walking and wheeling network featuring primary routes with secondary or link routes. Each walking and wheeling network serves each of the town centres with key destinations.

Bewdley emerging LCWIP network

Information on the work for LCWIP taking place in Bewdley.

Stourport-on-Severn emerging LCWIP network

Information on the work for LCWIP taking place in Stourport-on-Severn.

Kidderminster emerging LCWIP network

Information on the work for LCWIP taking place in Kidderminster.

Cycling routes linking the Wyre Forest towns

Information on the work for cycling routes linking the Wyre Forest towns.

What happens next?

After the engagement exercise has finished, all comments will be reviewed and duly considered. Whilst we are not able to respond to individuals, an Engagement Report will be published on our web page, including a summary of key themes and issues. The feedback from this engagement will help inform the draft Wyre Forest Towns LCWIP which will be developed during 2025.

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