Cumbria County Council’s local committees in Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, and Kendal have approved the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs).

LCWIPs are documents that identify and prioritise cycling and walking improvements at a local level. They set out an ambitious approach for developing prioritised routes over the next 15 years with the aim of encouraging more people to make journeys on foot or by bike.

The LCWIPs focus on improving routes that are used for everyday shorter journeys, such as going to work, school or the shops. They aim to improve the infrastructure and connectivity, by allowing people to get to where they need to be in a coherent, direct, safe, and attractive way.

It is worth noting that the LCWIPs are not funded plans. However, having the LCWIPs in place will put the council in the best possible position to secure future funding for the delivery of improvements.

The county council will now look to apply for any available funding from the government and local funding sources for the related infrastructures. If funding is secured, work will then be scheduled.

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said:

“Our goal is to encourage more people to walk and cycle within our city, towns, and villages, to improve connectivity between these communities.

“Public consultation and stakeholder engagement has played an integral part in the development of the LCWIPs, with an initial public consultation held in May 2021 and a follow up in November 2021.

“The LCWIPs will help the council to secure funding for schemes, whether this be funding from the government, through local projects or contributions from developers.

“My sincerest thanks go out to all the residents, businesses, and visitors who have supported and provided feedback on engagement and consultations so far.”