Local Transport Plans
From GPG
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It is good practice for the Public Rights of Way Service to feed into the Local Transport Plan process, indeed unless these links are made the opportunity to reach significant sources of funding will be missed. It is also important to recognise that the public rights of way network is not only used for recreation but also as a means of sustainable transport. If Public Rights of Way units do not associate rights of way with the transport agenda, a massive funding opportunity is missed. Many authorities are able to secure capital funding through this process to enhance and develop the path network for all users - on foot, cycle and horse.
If you have not seen your LTP, you are strongly recommended to obtain a copy and open communication with your highways colleagues.
The Department for Transport website gives information advice about producing LTPs which includes advice on integration with ROWIPs.
What rights of way staff should do
Local authority staff who are directly responsible for producing the LTP should ensure that they have an early dialogue with those staff responsible for rights of way issues to look at how to ensure that the contribution the rights of way network can make to LTP priorities is fully embedded in the plan. To ensure that this happens, rights of way staff are advised to make this need known to the LTP staff, be familiar with the provisional LTP and consider how the network can contribute to shared objectives. They should ensure that the final LTP includes an up to date progress report on the ROWIP.
Updated ROWIP progress report should include:
- The stage the authority has reached with its ROWIP
- A high level statement of policy and objectives for improving ROW.
- Any ROW improvements that link to the delivery of objectives and shared priorities for transport, such as: road safety, accessibility, congestion, air quality and other quality of life issues.
HAs are also encouraged to incorporate prioritised rights of way improvements that help meet LTP objectives into their LTP, by identifying the funding source and reporting on delivery in the biennial delivery reports. These biennial reports will be outcomes-focussed delivery reports.
Where ROWIPs are not sufficiently advanced to enable priorities to be incorporated into final LTPs, HAs should include them in subsequent Biennial Progress Reports. Authorities may then re-prioritise their LTP programmes to deliver identified schemes on rights of way.
It should be remembered that rights of way improvements can offer very good value for money. Improvements can often be achieved with relatively small sums of capital investment and ongoing maintenance. Defra funded Cranfield University to bring together current data on costing the socio and economic benefits of ROW with a view to developing a model which can be used by authorities to identify value for money.
Links to shared priorities and better quality of life issues
Authorities have tackled this in their provisional LTPs in different ways. There is no right of wrong way and the amount of information in final LTPs will depend on the stage the authority has reached in preparing their ROWIP.
Those which have a draft or final plan will be able to use their ROWIP Statement of Action to identify proposals and projects and how they link with LTP priorities.
Some authorities identified these links in the form of a table in their provisional LTP e.g. Herefordshire County Council and Darlington Borough Council. These were clear and easy to read. In the case of Darlington the table identified the cost of work and the funding source, including LTP money. Other authorities are encouraged to consider whether it would be appropriate to consider something similar for their area. Headings for the information might include Issue, Project, Key Action, Estimated Cost, Completion date, Key Partners/policy area, Funding Source, LTP priority the project will help deliver.
Many of the ROWIP progress reports that came in with provisional LTPs identified the main conclusions and actions arising from the work they had done but did not identify links to LTP priorities and Quality of Life objectives.
Where authorities are not as far advanced with their ROWIP the authority will wish to mention its continued wish to seek opportunities to integrate ROW improvements with LTP schemes. HAs may wish to set out in general those rights of way improvements that they believe would help deliver LTP objectives.
Example: Buckinghamshire County Council set out nine key areas where ROW improvements could help delivery. These included identification and enhancement of routes of strategic importance for integrated transportation, schemes that help reduce social exclusion, and schemes that benefit vulnerable road users, as well as working with planning authorities and other agencies to ensure that access provision on development sites and major development areas realises its full potential. The authority elaborated under each of these headings on the sorts of individual actions which could assist delivery e.g. improving links between urban and rural areas, especially in areas of social deprivation.
Congestion
ROWIPs and the ROW network have the potential to be a key ingredient in tackling congestion if relevant and accessible networks are planned locally to connect destinations with people's homes and modal interchanges. Networks can include access to bus, Metro and railway stops and stations so that people can use public transport, instead of cars.
Example: The Isle of Wight provisional LTP identified that the ROWIP would help to combat congestion by:
- Improved signing and maintenance of urban paths;
- Tailored signage in towns;
- Increased promotion of the ROW network in general; and
- Establishment of a strategic non-vehicular network.
ROW networks can also ease localised rural congestion.
Example: Cambridgeshire County Council will be seeking to reduce motor traffic by encouraging non-motorised access to rural attractions. In partnership with organisations such as the National Trust and the RSPB, they intend to make improvements to access on foot or by cycle between public transport modes and attractions such as Wimpole Hall, the Ouse Washes and Wicken Fen (on the Cambridge to Ely cycle route), which will help them to meet specific sustainability targets.
Accessibility
The ROWIP process is highly compatible with accessibility planning frameworks, particularly in urban areas. ROWs could be audited for accessibility and contribute significantly to the local network of opportunities for cycling and walking.
Improving ROW networks could enable people to walk or cycle between homes and facilities, such as local shops, schools, workplaces and recreational facilities more easily. They can also be designed to meet the needs of people with mobility difficulties to ensure better access for all.
Example 1: The Isle of Wight provisional LTP identified the following ways in which the ROWIP would increase accessibility:
- Raise community awareness of the local network and its potential uses;
- Urban signage improvement to show routes to local amenities and services;
- A project to provide local circular routes will include an assessment of path security, safety, risk of crime, and inherent attraction;
Taking this on a step the provisional LTP describes the development of a ROW project which has strong links with delivering a number of transport objectives. The Isle of Wight Council propose to provide a central trunk network of chosen routes directly linking settlements, using the best path to aid all users, as an alternative to road connections. Although its main purpose is to promote and aid tourism it will also benefit local people as they go about their business.
Example 2: One conclusion from the Herefordshire ROWIP process was that the wider highway network and the ROW network needed to be better integrated. They concluded that they should identify where circular routes connect with public transport e.g. bus routes and identify improvements to the bridleway network. These improvements would have a direct link to the delivery of accessibility and tackling congestion, as well as linking with the delivery of the Rural Herefordshire Transport Strategy, promoting sustainable travel and linking to the tourism strategy.
Safer roads
ROW are traditionally away from other forms of traffic and therefore have the potential to play a significant part in reducing accidents if they are made relevant and promoted to potential users, including equestrians. They can also provide vital links across major roads, such as motorways, thus avoiding potential casualties as well as linking communities together and improving general accessibility.
Example : To improve safety the Cambridgeshire ROWIP includes a commitment to provide safer crossings where ROWs cross major or poorly sighted high speed roads, providing better sightlines, signage, islands and pedestrians, Pegusus crossings and bridges and improve road verge safety linking ROWs.
The use of appropriate maintenance techniques, including the maintenance of road side verges to allow equestrian use can also significantly reduce accidents.
Air quality
Encouraging the use of the ROW network has the potential to reduce dependency on private car use, particularly for the most polluting short journeys. Many of the examples given above will help to improve air quality.
Other quality of life issues
ROW are known to contribute to mental and physical well being and can often be the linear connectors and deliverers of liveability policies. As well as encouraging more people to take physical exercise, they increase social interaction and reduce fear of crime and anti-social behaviour.
Example: One of Northumberland County Council's stated aims is to prioritise improvements to the ROW network and accessible green space where it will provide significant opportunities to increase participation in physical activities and support the health and mental wellbeing for all local people and visitors. NB. The examples given from provisional LTPs are illustrative. They are not meant to prescribe how individual authorities should proceed. If authorities would like further guidance on the integration of the two plans they should, in the first instance, talk to their Government Office contact, which can then come to Defra or DfT for advice.
Defra January 06
A best practice guide, Water Ways, was prepared by British Waterways and the Countryside Agency in association with the Environment Agency and AINA in 2005. The guide provides advice and guidance for local authorities as they prepare for the next round of LTPs. .
The Department for Transport gives information advice on producing LTPs.
Good Practice
In addition to the examples given above other authorities are also benefiting from LTP funding for rights of way work through the ROWIP.
Durham County Council have accessed a significant allocation of funding through the LTP towards expanding the work of the Parish Paths Partnership enabling communities to make improvements to the paths they care about. More information can be found on their website.
Kent County Council have successfully gained rights of way funding from the LTP. IPROW members can read more on the IPROWiki.
