Accessibility Issues - Winchester Town Access Plan

This area of the Plan will cover a range of issues including walking, cycling and the development of Travel plans. Cycling and walking are both viable options for short local journeys, either on their own or in combination with public transport. They can have a positive impact in terms of helping to reduce traffic congestion, pollution and noise. Travel Plans can be used to assist Schools and Businesses find ways of meeting their travel demands without undue reliance on the private car.

Walking

Walking is the most environmentally friendly mode of transport and has considerable health benefits. There are a number of measures available to improve pedestrian access and safety including traffic calming, road closures, new and wider footways, tactile paving, and pedestrian refuges. The enhancement of conditions for pedestrians through a range of measures is likely to be a key component of the plan if more walking is to be encouraged.

Cycling

The enhancement of conditions for cyclists through a range of measures including dedicated routes, on-road improvements, contra-flow cycle lanes and cycle parking is considered a key component of the plan if more cycling is to be encouraged.

Travel Plans

Travel Plans are a package of measures which aim to monitor and reduce reliance on the private car through initiatives such as car sharing, promoting the use of public transport and encouraging walking and cycling.

They are usually targeted at major employment or education centres. In the case of schools they are often aimed at improving road safety. They can help local authorities to meet their obligations to improve local air quality, as cutting car use for journeys can reduce congestion and pollution.

Car Clubs

The city council are looking to enable the provision of a car club in Winchester which would allow residents and businesses to hire cars and pay for them on the basis of time and mileage. This will hopefully encourage lower car ownership levels reflecting the limited amount of space available for cars in the Town.

Bikeabout

Bikeabout aims to encourage the use of cycling as a means of transport within Winchester by providing bicycles for the members of the public to borrow for free.

Bikeabout bicycles can be borrowed for up to 24 hours at any one time. After the payment of an annual registration fee of £20 Bikeabout bicycles are available to anyone over the age of 18 to borrow for free.

When an individual joins Bikeabout, he or she receives a free cycle helmet and a high visibility/reflective jacket. The bikes are available for loan from Winchester City Council's Tourist Information Centre in The Broadway or from the WACA Shopmobility office in The Brooks Centre.