Plans for a cycle-friendly Northwich come together

Representatives from Sustrans will speak about what can be done to make travelling by bike safer and easier at the next meeting of Northwich Town Council.

The sustainable transport charity has been asked to examine the infrastructure of the town and draw up a wish list of solutions, including some easy wins and more ambitious long-term projects.

Sustrans was commissioned by a group that formed last summer to focus on the issue as a spin-off from the Northwich Neighbourhood Plan.

This group included representatives from Northwich Town Council, the business community and the Guardian's Pedal Power campaign.

Peter Green and Will Haynes, from Sustrans, have been researching the town and putting together an early draft report.

Peter said: "We want to make sure our solutions are real world, deliverable and make sense – and appeal to new cyclists interested in picking it up."

The report looks at the town centre and the difficulties it poses, including the gyratory system, narrow bridges and access to the train station and pedestrianised town centre.

It also looks at routes to the town centre from the surrounding residential areas of Hartford, Winnington, Leftwich, Rudheath and Wincham.

Early suggestions include setting up key access routes into the town centre using residential areas and existing cycle paths, junction improvements, a 20mph speed limit on parts of the gyratory, some shared pavements and consistent cycle route signage.

Peter said: "We're mindful that money is tight and we don't want to be seen to be wasting a penny of it.

"But the atmosphere towards cycling seems to be getting more positive and more supportive."

The final plan will include cost estimates and rank projects in order of their affordability.

It will then be used as a strategic plan that can easily be brought into play to apply for funding.

Sustrans will give a presentation at Northwich Town Council's meeting at the council chamber in Church Road at 6.30pm on April 7.