The Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy has outlined a vision and objectives for a high quality, well-connected walking and cycling network, enabling and encouraging residents and visitors to choose walking and cycling for recreation, and to access jobs and services.
It has included several proposed Active Transport Corridors, which could fill in missing links in the network, and create new routes to connect centres, open space, public transport and education facilities, as well as new and improved pathways, more shade and greenery, and better amenities.
More than 200 residents have already shared their thoughts – good and bad – about walking and cycling in the area to help the council develop the strategy.
Some of the residents’ concerns and ideas included that there was a lack of interesting walking and cycling options, many streets didn’t have footpaths or they were broken, the ever-increasing traffic noise and pollution had made both activities unpleasant and unsafe, long unkept grass was a haven for snakes, and there was a lack of tree cover and shade.
The council has recognised that while there were a number of walking and cycling paths for residents to enjoy, it had more work to do to create and better support an interconnected network, which would come from the strategy.
Development of a masterplan and concept design for the ‘Pippita Rail Trail’ Active Transport Link is underway and expected to be released for community feedback later in the year.
Councillor Glenn Elmore, who cycles and “does lots of walking”, welcomed the proposal.
He said it was an important strategy, with walking and cycling playing big role as Australia transitions to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
“I went for bit of walk on the weekend and because there were no real pathways around where I live, I had to drive to a location find, park the car and go for my walk,” the South Granville Ward councillor said.
“We should be able to jump on our bikes (not put them in the back of the car to travel to a different location)… walk to a track to do our exercise,” he said.
Residents have been invited their say about the strategy at Cumberland.nsw.gov.au
