A SURVEY has been launched for members of the public to have their say on the proposed infrastructure for new cycle routes in Southern Test Valley.

Residents, businesses, commuters and visitors are invited to submit their views through the survey which opened on September 6 for 8 weeks.

You will be asked for your thoughts on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for Romsey, North Baddesley, Chilworth and Nursling.

The plan sets out primary and secondary networks of cycle routes with walking zones for the main areas.

Leading on from Hampshire County Council’s Walking Strategy 2016 and Cycling Strategy 2015, the council has worked in partnership with charity `Sustrans` who developed the National Cycle Network to include signposted routes plus local authorities to develop LCWIPs that will help identify walking and cycling infrastructure.

The infrastructure plan is a long-term approach, around 10 years, towards developing local networks and forms part of the government’s ambition to increase the number of non-motorised trips as part of its Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.

This strategy outlines the need to make cycling and walking a natural choice by 2040. It also sets out objectives and aims with targets to work towards.

Cllr Russell Oppenheimer, HCC’s executive member for highway operations, said: “Hampshire County Council sees LCWIPs as a way to be aspiring and ready for future national funding opportunities to provide improvements in walking and cycling infrastructure across the county.

“Since the pandemic began, we have seen more people walking and cycling as their preferred means of travel to work and for leisure. We would like to improve facilities and networks to encourage this trend both for the health and wellbeing advantages and for the environmental benefits in reducing the number of cars on the road. We’re keen to gather views on this LCWIP plan from as many people as possible.”

“Having an LCWIP in place means the council is in a better place to bid for funding towards the improvement of related facilities.”

people can take part online at: https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/strategies/transportstrategies

For those who can not access online services call 0300 555 1388 to request a paper copy.