PLANS which will encourage cycling and walking in Carlisle are set to be approved by councillors next week.

The Carlisle Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, which has been in the works since last year, will be laid before councillors on Wednesday March 9.

The public have been given opportunities to comment on the Cumbria County Council plan, encouraging cycling and walking at a series of consultation events.

And Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Carlisle is now being asked to approve the plan and hand authority to officers to make any minor amendments that might be necessary.

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans have also been drawn up for Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal, Penrith, Whitehaven and Workington.

It is hoped that putting infrastructure in place to encourage cycling and walking, will have benefits for both the environment and public health.

A report on the plan for Carlisle reads: “Levels of cycling and walking in Carlisle increased during the COVID19 lockdown in Spring/Summer 2020. This was in part because roads were less busy and quieter, offering more desirable conditions for cycling and walking. The reduction in traffic emissions also led to improvements in air quality.

“As people returned back to places of work and to school, levels of cycling and walking reduced. This demonstrates that the potential for cycling and walking exists if the right conditions are put in place. Improvements to active travel infrastructure will form part of this.”

Work to encourage cycling and walking was needed because although 52 per cent of journeys to work are less than 5km, the consultation process also revealed that 42 per cent of people feel existing cycling routes do not connect to the places they want to go.

The Carlisle Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan includes fully segregated cycleways on the highway.

Secure cycle parking hubs are also proposed as well as removal of through-traffic in some areas to create low traffic neighbourhoods.

It is hoped that enhancements to the public realm, improving the look and feel of an area, will encourage more people to walk to work.

The council’s cabinet member for highways, Keith Little said: “The LCWIP identifies cycling and walking improvements at a local community level and is designed to facilitate a long-term approach to developing cycling and walking networks. Encouraging people to adopt a more active lifestyle will benefit their health, but collectively this will have a positive impact on net zero carbon emissions.

“I’d like to thank all the residents, businesses, and visitors for their support and feedback on engagement and consultations to date.”