Kent Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan
Update
Thank you to everyone who took part in this consultation. The feedback has been carefully analysed and considered.
The consultation report, along with a 'You Said, We Did' document detailing how responses have helped finalise the Plan, are now available in the 'Documents' section.
The consultation report, along with the final Kent Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (KCWIP), will be presented to Members of the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 19 September 2024.
Update
Thank you to everyone who took part in this consultation. The feedback is being carefully analysed and considered.
A consultation report, along with the final Kent Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (KCWIP), will be presented to Members of the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee in due course. The consultation report will be made available from this webpage, along with a 'You Said, We Did' document detailing how responses have helped finalise the Plan, and a link to the final KCWIP.
Original consultation content:
Welcome to the public consultation on the proposed active travel network which will form the first Kent Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (KCWIP).
We are carrying out this consultation to gather your views on the proposed cycling routes and walking and wheeling zones to enable residents and visitors to make more journeys on foot or by cycle. Your feedback, local knowledge and insights will be invaluable in understanding the challenges and opportunities for active travel improvements across Kent.
Why do we need a KCWIP?
The government’s ambition is to make walking, wheeling and cycling the natural choices, both for shorter and longer journeys. Transforming local areas in ways that support active travel will reduce congestion, improve air quality, improve physical and mental health and support local economies.
The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) concept has been developed by the Department for Transport (DfT) for local and regional authorities to take a strategic approach in improving walking and cycling infrastructure. We have been working with many of the district councils in Kent to develop detailed LCWIPs and have been successful in obtaining funding for the delivery of some of their proposals in recent years.
To fulfil our county-wide role as the Local Transport Authority, to supplement the existing LCWIPs and to aid future LCWIP development in parts of Kent, we have decided to develop a KCWIP. This is to ensure that the public and stakeholders are clear about where our priorities are for improvements to walking, wheeling and cycling and to help us make sure that each district LCWIP forms a coherent county wide plan for delivery.
What will the KCWIP deliver?
The key outcomes of the KCWIP are:
- A network plan for walking and cycling, which identifies preferred routes and core walking and wheeling zones.
- A plan for integrating the KCWIP into active travel planning policies, strategies, and delivery plans.
- A prioritised programme of infrastructure improvements for future investment.
- A robust, evidence-based document which sets out the underlying analysis conducted and provides a narrative which supports the identified improvements and network.
How can I find out more?
Please read / view the information provided on this web page before you take part in the consultation. You can:
- Watch the short video to find out more about the KCWIP background and methodology.
- Read the Consultation Document to find out more about the KCWIP and proposals.
- View the interactive maps or individual scheme plans to see the proposed cycle routes and walking and wheeling zones. These maps provide an indication of the types of improvements that could be developed for each route or zone.
- Take a look at the summary 'tube style' maps for the cycle routes showing the key destinations along each route.
- Use the Question and Answer tool below.
How can I get involved?
There are a number of ways to get involved:
- Use our interactive maps below to comment on specific locations and improvements.
- Complete the consultation questionnaire to help us further understand your views on the proposed cycle routes and walking and wheeling zones and their respective improvements.
- Come and meet us at one of our in person public drop-in events;
- 8 November 2-7pm Union Street Methodist Church, 20 Brewer Street, Maidstone, ME14 1RU
- 13 November 2-7pm Cyclopark, Watling Street, Gravesend, DA11 7NP
- 16 November 2-7pm The Guildhall, St Peter’s Pl, Westgate, Canterbury, CT1 2DB
If you can’t attend an in person event, use the Question and Answer tool below or contact us using the details on this webpage.
What happens next?
Once your feedback reaches us, we will:
- Analyse responses to this consultation and produce a Consultation Report, which will be published on this webpage.
- Where possible, incorporate feedback from the consultation and amend the cycling routes and walking and wheeling zones.
- Prioritise the cycling routes and walking zones and their respective improvements in the short, medium and long term to produce a prioritised programme of cycling and walking infrastructure improvements.
- Present the final KCWIP to the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee. Once approved the Plan will be integrated into local policies, strategies and plans.
Proposed Cycling Routes
Cycling Routes
15 cycling routes were identified as key priorities across Kent. The aim is to create a cohesive cycling network which links key trip origins with key trip destinations across the County, serving current cycle demand and meeting future demand.
Have your say
This map displays the 15 proposed cycling routes and the proposed improvements along each route:
- To view the name of the route, click anywhere along it.
- To view an improvement, click on the red circles along each of the routes which will show the route name, the improvement's unique ID and proposed improvement.
- There are some instances where more than one route follows the same alignment (i.e in Canterbury City Centre). To see these routes in more detail, zoom into an area to see each of the routes.
Please use the two available pins to either leave a comment along the route or on a proposed improvement. If possible, please include the name of the route or the unique ID in your comment as in the examples below.
We are especially interested in knowing whether you agree with the alignment the route follows and the proposed improvements along the routes. Here are some feedback examples:
- 'I agree with the alignment of the Canterbury to Dover route but improvement X could....'
- 'Instead of running along X road, the Dartford to Stone route could be aligned along Y road, because it is, e.g., wider, safer and currently preferred by locals'.
- The Ashford to Charing route is steep between X and Y'.
- 'I agree with the proposed R1.I3 improvement'.
To edit the location or comment associated with a pin, click on the vertical ellipsis.
Proposed Walking and Wheeling Zones
Walking and Wheeling Zones
15 walking zones were identified across Kent in areas where the need to increase the ease of walking / wheeling and improve safety for pedestrians is essential. A walking zone consists of a 400m (~5 min walk) Core Walking Zone (CWZ) with an additional 2km area around it. The locations for walking zones were identified to cover high number of trip destinations, in particular schools and public transport stops, and to complement walking zones covered by existing LCWIPs.
Have your say
This map displays the 15 proposed walking and wheeling zones and the proposed improvements within each walking zone:
- To view the name of the walking zone, click anywhere within the 2km zone.
- To view an improvement, click on the red circles within the walking zone which will show the walking zone name, the improvement's unique ID and proposed improvement.
Please use the two available pins to either leave a comment on the walking zone or on a proposed improvement. If possible, please include the name of the walking zone or the unique ID in your comment as in the examples below.
We are especially interested in knowing whether you agree with the alignment of the walking zone and the proposed improvements within the walking zone. Here are some feedback examples:
- 'I agree with the location of the Herne Bay walking zone but improvement X could....'
- 'I believe that including X development in the Canterbury walking zone is important because…'
- 'There are poor walking connections in the Sittingbourne walking zone between X and Y'.
- 'I agree with the proposed WZ1.I3 improvement'.
To edit the location or comment associated with a pin, click on the vertical ellipsis.