WALKING and cycling routes in Basingstoke and Deane are set to be improved to make it easier for people to travel around the borough.

Hampshire County Council (HCC) and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) want to invest in sustainable transport measures including walking and cycling and have produced a draft plan using data from cycling groups, schools, councillors, community groups and members of the public.

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They are now looking for feedback from the public on the draft plan to help shape the priorities for cycling and walking improvements in the borough.

The public is invited to complete online surveys and use an interactive map to tell the councils their experiences of different locations.

The councils have also worked with active travel charity Sustans to develop the plan which sets out a long-term approach to developing cycling and walking networks in the borough.

Core Walking Zones were identified by the councils as covering Basingstoke, Whitchurch, Overton and Tadley.

However, Basingstoke urban area has not been included in the study because a Town Centre Masterplan for Basingstoke town centre is still in development, which is subject to a separate public engagement.

A separate and more detailed study of walking and cycling infrastructure for Basingstoke town centre is planned for later this year.

The draft plan for cycling looks at routes in the borough including Route 110 Basingstoke to Manydown and Hounsome Fields.

The councils propose to add cycle provision on the western verge of Roman Way in coordination with the Manydown development, describing this as “an ideal opportunity to build a direct and coherent network in western Basingstoke”.

Route 120 from Tadley to Basingstoke was also considered, with potential options including stepped cycle tracks on both sides of Aldermaston Road and widening of the existing footway on the western side of the A340 to install a shared use path.

Rout 130, from Basingstoke town centre to The Harrow Way, could be improved with the installation of mandatory cycle lanes with light segregation on Hackwood Road from New Road to Cliddesden Road, and reducing the speed zone to 20mph.

Other routes considered in the plan are Sherfield-on-Loddon to Basingstoke; Manydown to Basingstoke town centre; Basingstoke to Overton and Whitchurch; Lychpit to Eastern Basingstoke; Hook to Basingstoke; Viables to Oakley; and Dummer to Basingstoke.

Online surveys are now open for 10 weeks here.

Anyone who does not use / have access the internet can request a paper copy by calling 0300 555 1388.

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