Active Travel England (ATE) has published a ‘first-of-its-kind' guide for local authorities on designing safer and more accessible rural active travel routes.
Designing accessible rural active travel provides authorities with ‘practical advice' on how to plan and deliver walking and wheeling routes in rural areas, including the impact of separating different modes, the need for regular maintenance, and the differing physical accessibility requirements.
The guide argues for designs that ‘sensitively suit the characteristics of places' and consider inclusivity.
Access control, gradient and surfacing were noted as factors that can impact different route users, with uneven surfacing or a lack of lighting possibly excluding users who require mobility devices or who feel unsafe walking on unlit paths.
The guidance cites Manuals for Streets 2 and chapter one of the Traffic Signs Manual, which both advise ‘minimising the environmental impact of highways infrastructure in rural areas'.
Local transport minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: ‘We know it's absolutely vital to give people in rural areas as many options as possible for travelling, which is why I was delighted to announce this new guidance at the Active County Conference earlier today.
‘By giving local authorities straightforward advice to deliver walking and cycling routes which are practical, safe and accessible, we are not just connecting the residents of hamlets, villages and towns with more opportunities but encouraging healthier options too.'
Authorities are not legally required to abide by this new document. It instead provides technical advice and examples that authorities can choose to follow.
Included are 17 case studies from across England that ATE are using to demonstrate best practice.
ATE stated that this guidance was created in response to ‘long-standing calls from local authorities, communities and campaign groups for clearer rural design standards'.
Chris Boardman, the national active travel commissioner, added: ‘Many towns and cities are well on the way to creating safe and attractive active travel options, but our mission extends beyond major conurbations. Everyone in England deserves safe, cheap, healthy travel choices.
‘With the publication of this Rural Design Guide, we're supporting authorities to develop infrastructure that works best for local people. Our aim is to help councils build safe and appealing routes that not only enable more everyday active journeys but also help them make the most of our wonderful countryside.'
