Council unveils its first ‘active travel’ strategy

With the publication of its first “active travel” strategy, North Lanarkshire Council aims to put travel at the heart of its transport policy and plans for new town and community hubs.

The 10-year strategy aims to provide better active travel networks between communities and help deliver improved health and wellbeing and environmental, social inclusion and public access across the area.

The council will work with private, public and community partners to create active travel networks in North Lanarkshire and with links to neighbouring areas.

The strategy includes cycle parking facilities and shared walking and cycling paths in town and community hubs, as well as environmental improvements to improve accessibility for all.

“Active travel has many benefits for residents and the environment, from increasing access to education and employment opportunities to reducing vehicle emissions and improving our health,” said Councillor Michael Mcpake.

The council’s convener of the environment and transportation committee added: “We are committed to creating active travel routes within and between our towns and villages, to allow residents and visitors to walk, wheel and cycle easily and safely to school, work, leisure facilities and local services.

“Those connections will be incorporated into our plans for town and community hubs, helping to develop 20-minute neighbourhoods where people can access all their essential needs within a 20-minute walk of their home.

“This is also an important part of tackling transport poverty, where a lack of quality, affordable public transport can prevent people accessing employment opportunities, services and education.

“Our new strategy builds on the increase in walking and cycling we’ve seen during the Covid pandemic, and reflects the way our lives have changed as a result.”

In developing the strategy, the council used information from a series of transport studies carried out between 2018 and 2020 in Airdrie, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Croy, Kilsyth, Motherwell, Wishaw, Bellshill, Harthill, Shotts and Salsburgh.

The new strategy recognises the Scottish Government’s updated National Transport Strategy (NTS2) which prioritises active travel.

Plans Councillor Mcpake, convener of the environment and transportation committee