Maidstone Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (2024)

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) want to hear your views on proposals for new and improved walking, wheeling and cycling routes. The aim of this consultation is to gather your views on the proposed cycling routes and walking zones to enable residents and visitors to make more journeys on foot or by cycle. Your feedback, local knowledge and insights will be invaluable in understanding the challenges and opportunities for active travel improvements in Maidstone Borough.

What is the Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)?

The development of the LCWIP proposals has been done following a robust analysis of evidence including existing plans and programmes and it seeks to complement these rather than replace them. The LCWIP works in unison with the Maidstone Cycling and Walking Strategy 2011-31. It seeks fill the gaps that this plan has left, and this was part of the route selection process.

Transforming local areas in ways that support active travel will reduce congestion, improve air quality, improve physical and mental health and support local economies. The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) concept has been developed by the Department for Transport (DfT) for local authorities to take a strategic approach in improving walking and cycling infrastructure.

Developing an LCWIP will help to ensure that everyone is clear about what the Borough Council’s priorities are for improvements to walking, wheeling and cycling. It will also enable the Council to make the case for future active travel investment. We have been working with Kent County Council (KCC) to develop a detailed LCWIP.

The key outcomes are:

• A network plan for walking and cycling, which identifies preferred cycling routes, core walking and wheeling zones, and key walking routes.
• A plan for integrating the LCWIP into active travel planning policies, strategies, and delivery plans.
• A prioritised programme of infrastructure improvements for future investment for walking, and cycling.
• A robust, evidence-based document which sets out the underlying analysis conducted and provides a narrative which supports the identified improvements and network.

More information about Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIP) is available from the the Department of Transport, click here to read the guidance (external site).

If you have any questions please check the FAQ section, or contact us.

Why are we consulting?

We want to hear your views on proposals for new and improved walking, wheeling and cycling routes. The aim of this consultation is to gather your views on the proposed cycling routes and walking zones to enable residents and visitors to make more journeys on foot or by cycle.

How you can get involved

Route maps - View and comment on the proposed routes for cycling and walking on our interactive maps.

Surveys - Complete the survey on the proposed improvements.

Survey takes around 6-10 minutes to complete.

Consultation closes: 19 August 2024

What next?

After the closing date, we will:

• Analyse the responses and, where possible, incorporate feedback from the consultation and amend the cycling and walking and wheeling routes.
• Prioritise the walking and cycling routes and their respective improvements in the short, medium and long term to produce a prioritised programme of cycling and walking infrastructure improvements.
• Officer’s will present the final LCWIP to Councillors for their consideration and adoption (subject to their approval).