A sustainable travel package of works, as part of the £22m Warrington Town Deal, is another step closer following approval by Cabinet.
The proposed £7m package of sustainable travel and recreation works will see the introduction of a mix of bus priority, walking and cycling infrastructure improvements, enhancement of recreational facilities including a 3G pitch, improving connectivity between the town’s ‘green ring’ of parks and establishing a community cycle hub in the town centre.
Following Cabinet approval, the sustainable travel package business case will be submitted to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
The sustainable transport package is an instrumental part of the wider Town Deal programme for Warrington, with one of the key themes of the programme focusing on connectivity – and how developing better links across the borough can help to drive regeneration and improve infrastructure.
Increased use of sustainable modes of travel also links with the vision set within the council’s fourth Local Transport Plan (LTP4), which aims to transform travel in Warrington by reducing the problems that high car dependency and congestion can cause by making walking, cycling, and public transport more attractive options for all of the journeys that we make.
Cabinet member for transportation, highways and public realm, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “I’m pleased to see this important Town Deal project taking a step closer to reality. When we spoke to residents and groups about our plans as part of the sustainable travel package, they were very well received, and it’s therefore good to see that we’re a crucial step forward to supporting the aspirations of our communities.
“Alongside this, Warrington’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2019-2023 sets out the challenges and opportunities to address health inequality in the borough, and improving the access and links between our parks, streets and spaces will help to support people to live active and healthy lives.
“Fewer individual vehicle trips also provide air quality benefits. Our Air Quality Action Plan sets out the vision to tackle poor air quality in and around the town centre. One of the measures to improve air quality is ensuring there are better cycling facilities and improved infrastructure to allow the increased use of public transport.
“The sustainable travel package, therefore, is instrumental in delivering not just our Town Deal vision, but a great many health and transport related objectives.”
The sustainable Travel Package is only one of seven projects that form Warrington’s Town Deal plans. More information on Warrington Town Deal can be found at warrington.gov.uk/my-town