Sefton Council Adopts New Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

Sefton Council’s Cabinet has today approved a plan to improve travel across the Borough.

Joining up local journeys

Covering footpaths, road crossings, leisure routes and cycle lanes, the now adoptedLocal Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Planaims to join up local journeys. It contains proposals to help people get where they want to go by walking, wheeling (e.g. in a wheelchair, mobility scooter, pushchair or pram) and cycling with local routes to get them there.

The plan is important for attracting funding so the routes can be developed.

Today’s adoption of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan follows an overall supportive response to public consultation in 2025 and builds on earlier consultation and engagement on the issue. The consultation survey responses said most people supported walking, wheeling and cycling improvements.

All of us are pedestrians

Cllr Daren Veidman, Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways said:“Nearly all of us are pedestrians at some point, whether we’re taking the dog for a walk, nipping to local shops, nearby bar or restaurant or walking to work or school. And increasing numbers of people are making local journeys by bike or are cycling for exercise and pleasure.

“People travelling by public transport or private car also benefit from safer, more accessible and enjoyable walking and wheeling facilities when they reach their destination.

“The new Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan is about how improvements like accessibility, improved crossings, better connection between routes can make those journeys simpler, safer and more accessible for all of us.

“Shaped by input from local communities, it sets out how we want to improve local routes, remove barriers, and support healthy travel to school, work and local facilities while at the same time tackling climate change.”

Where people live, work and visit

Sefton’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan was developed by looking at where people live, work and visit and how routes could be improved for people who are walking, wheeling or cycling. It supports linking up active travel routes with town centres, educational facilities and areas of growth and regeneration.

The Plan is about improving infrastructure, making it easier for people to choose safe active travel options for shorter journeys and leisure.

Recommended active travel routes

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills said:“The Plan sets out recommended active travel routes across the Borough and prioritises the improvements we want to put in place as future funding opportunities become available. At this stage the routes show general desire lines rather than the specific roads they might be on.  

“It is an important document that means we are in a position to bid successfully for any extra funding for improvements across Sefton, such as from the Combined Authority or Active Travel England.

“The detail for each improvement will get developed as the funding becomes available with further consultation appropriate to each project.”

You can find out more about theLocal Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan here.