Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has said that he wants to see an âactive travel revolutionâ in the Liverpool City Region over the next ten years, and called on people to leave their cars at home in favour of taking more short journeys by foot or bike.
Outlining his city region-wide vision for active travel â a catch-all term for walking and cycling â the Metro Mayor said that it would improve air quality by reducing emissions, have a positive impact on health and wellbeing and help to boost the regional economy.
The long-term plan for cycling and walking infrastructure in the Liverpool City Region will be presented for approval at todayâs Combined Authority meeting. The strategy details plans first announced last year for 600km of new and upgraded foot and bike paths across all six local authority areas â Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral.
More than ÂŁ16m in funding has already been committed to the first seven key routes, with construction set to begin next year.
The network of foot and cycle paths will be linked to the wider transport network including buses, Mersey Ferries and the new trains arriving on the Merseyrail network from 2020 which offer level access and more storage space for bikes.
The Liverpool City Region has set a target to become zero carbon by 2040, with schemes to support walking and cycling initiatives having already cut carbon emissions in the city region by 1600 tonnes per year â equivalent to taking 350 cars off the road.
Research also shows that active travel can help improve peopleâs health and wellbeing. Regular walking and cycling reduces the risk of conditions like heart disease or stroke by 1/3, potentially saving the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds over the next decade.
Jean Hunt, walking and cycling lead for Sefton Council said: âWe really welcome the Metro Mayorâs call for an active travel revolution and are excited to be part of helping deliver it.
“Getting more people to take journeys by walking and cycling will be hugely positive, not only for air quality and the environment but also for peopleâs health and wellbeing, with research showing that people who cycle regularly can have the fitness levels of someone ten years younger.
“The important thing is that you donât have to have done much walking or cycling in the past to take it up â it really is something that you can pick up any age and any experience level. In Sefton we work with the Combined Authority and other partners on projects to encourage active travel â from cycling groups to organised group walks.â
The push for more walking and cycling in the Liverpool City Region is also expected to help deliver on the Metro Mayorâs plans to revitalise regional town centres, with evidence indicating that improved walking and cycling facilities can dramatically increase high street footfall and boost retail spending by 30%.
Mayor Rotheram said: âWe are living through a climate emergency â and it is our duty to leave a cleaner planet for future generations, but we need to work together to achieve this. Thatâs why Iâm calling for an active travel revolution in our city region.
Building and improving our network of walking and cycling routes to make them safer and easier to use is vital, but we also need to make sure theyâre part of our plans for a fully integrated local transport network.
But itâs not only about building infrastructure â we need a cultural shift so that people think about walking and cycling as a genuine alternative to the car. Thatâs why weâre driving forward with schemes to help people to travel by bike or foot, regardless of their background.
Iâve been pushing for more devolution and funding for rail in the North, but active travel could be just as important in the development of our city region â and itâs something we can step up and deliver without having to wait for Westminster.â
Marine in the Community has opened a new Community CafĂ© based at Marine FCâs small function room on College Road.
Green Sefton, Sefton Councilâs service that looks after parks, green spaces, coast and countryside, is looking for ideas on how it can breathe new life into Sefton’s landscape whilst also helping local community groups and businesses.
Sefton Council is delighted to be working with Merseyrail to offer a free travel day this Sunday, 6 October to support 30 Days of Sefton in Mind.