CIVIC chiefs are seeking the views of city residents and businesses ahead of a re-design of Winchester's streets.

Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council are looking for suggestions to help transform the area to promote walking and cycling, support healthier lifestyles and ultimately lead to a cleaner city.

This feedback will then be used to inform a study into ways of making Winchester more walking and cycling-friendly

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Councillor Edward Heron, the county council’s executive lead member for transport and environment strategy, said: “I would encourage as many people as possible to provide their ideas and suggestions for how streets could be redesigned as this information will be used to help shape future improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure in local neighbourhoods in the city. We want to work with residents and businesses in Winchester and create more attractive streets for walking and cycling and build on planned improvements announced by the county council in July 2021.”

This comes as Hampshire has been awarded funding from the Department for Transport to undertake an exploratory study. The study will look at:

• Improving residential neighbourhoods in parts of Winchester by creating quieter, 'more pleasant' streets which are accessible to all and prioritise people over vehicles;

• Providing spaces which enable everyone to feel safe when walking, cycling or driving including safe crossing points and protected cycle lanes on busier roads;

• Encouraging people to be more active by providing a healthier place to live, work and explore.

The feedback survey, which is designed for people to make comments about walking and cycling conditions at any location in the city using an interactive map, will be open until July 31, 2022 and can be accessed at: cyclefriendlywinchester.commonplace.is/

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Council bosses say the outcome of the survey will inform the subsequent development of walking and cycling proposals for Winchester that, as well as covering some residential areas, will improve cross-city cycle routes and make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to cross busy roads.

It is expected that the “Cycle Friendly Winchester” exploratory study will be completed by the end of autumn 2022.

This study will then be shared with the Government, who will make a decision in autumn 2023 on which of the 19 areas carrying out exploratory studies will be awarded a share of funding for delivery of their proposals. The Government has suggested that just a few locations will receive funding.

If Winchester is successful in being granted funding, further detailed engagement with local residents will be carried out as final proposals are developed.

For more information on current improvement projects, visit: hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/atfwinchesterimprovements

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