Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans

In 2017 Government published its Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. The document sets out Government’s ambition to make walking and cycling the natural choices for shorter journeys, or as part of longer journeys. It supports the transformation of local areas to tackle congestion, improve physical and mental health and strengthen local economies.

This was followed in 2020 by the publication of Gear Change which sets outs Government's bold vision for cycling and walking, and the second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy in 2022 reaffirming the Government’s commitment to making walking, wheeling and cycling the natural choices for millions more journeys.

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) provide a new strategic approach to identifying cycling and walking improvements at a local level. They enable a long-term approach to developing local cycling and walking networks over the next ten years. They will also form a vital part of the Government’s strategy to increase the number of trips made on foot or by cycle.

The three key outputs of LCWIPs are a:

• network plan for walking and cycling which identifies preferred routes and core zones for future development
• prioritised programme of infrastructure improvements for future investment
• technical report which sets out the underlying analysis carried out and provides a narrative which supports the identified improvements and network

It is not compulsory for us to have LCWIPs, but the Department for Transport has advised that Councils who have plans will be well placed to make the case for future investment. The Department for Transport has also made it plain that any scheme funding bids submitted need to meet the design standards outlined in the latest cycling guidance Local Transport Note 1/20 (LTN 1/20).

LCWIPs in development

We have already started to develop LCWIPs in West Northamptonshire. We are following the six stage process set out by the Department for Transport in the LCWIP technical guidance.

All comments received as part of the Safer Streets Commonplace consultation are being used to inform the development of the LCWIPs.

Brackley LCWIP

As part of High Speed Two Limited’s commitment to ensure there are high quality cycling links across High Speed Two, the Department for Transport commissioned a light-touch LCWIP for Brackley to identify suitable cycling routes. This Draft Interim Brackley LCWIP was published in 2021 at the request of the Department for Transport.

We have since developed this interim plan into a full LCWIP for Brackley. Public consultation is expected to be carried out on the full draft plan during 2023.

Northampton LCWIP

A first draft of the Northampton LCWIP was consulted on in October 2020. The document is currently being reviewed in light of consultation comments received and against LTN 1/20 guidance with a view to undertaking further stakeholder engagement and public consultation in 2023.

Daventry LCWIP

During the summer of 2022, we commissioned the development of the Daventry LCWIP. Stakeholder workshops and route audits have been undertaken with public consultation of the draft plan expected to take place in 2023.

Towcester LCWIP

We have commissioned the development of a LCWIP for Towcester. The plan will be progressed throughout the spring and summer of 2023, with the draft report completed by the autumn.

Public consultation on the plan will be undertaken following completion of this work.

Next steps

Once the draft LCWIPs have been finalised, the next steps will be to undertake feasibility work on a number of the priority corridors identified in the plans.

This feasibility work will help us to understand the priority order for which routes we will look to take forward to seek funding for.

Last updated 18 April 2023