Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)
North Herts Council is proposing walking and cycling improvements in Hitchin (including Ickleford), Letchworth Garden City, Baldock, Royston and Knebworth as part of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs). The intention is to encourage and enable people to safely walk, cycle and use wheelchairs and mobility scooters, to increase exercise and to reduce congestion and carbon emissions wherever possible, therefore improving air quality and reducing the damaging effect that air pollution has on health.
The public consultation is under way, and feedback on the proposal is welcomed from members of the public, as future users of pavements, footpaths and cycle routes. Your input will be important guidance for producing the final, detailed plans for the routes, one of which will be Hitchin to Stevenage via Little Wymondley. Funding is already available from Active Travel England, and the plans will be put into place as soon as practically possible after the consultation.
For details of the proposal, please visit https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/LCWIP-NorthHerts or visit one of these venues to ask questions and discuss any aspect of the plans for any town or village:
Baldock
Town Talk – Monday 31 October, 6.30pm-7.15pm, at Baldock Community Centre (Youth Wing), SG7 6DH
Drop-in event – Thursday 3 November, 3:15pm–7pm, at Baldock Community Centre (Youth Wing), SG7 6DH
Letchworth
Drop-in event – Wednesday 2 November, 3:15pm–7pm, Howard Garden Social Centre, SG6 1SU
Dear Council Members,
As an Ickleford resident cycling daily along Bedford rd and Old Hale Way, I strongly support the proposed plans for segregated cycleways, they would ensure safety for push bikes (including quite a few pupils going to college) as the current road infrastructure does not guarantee that cars respect either speed limits or distance when overtaking.
Additionally, I strongly support the idea of a pedestrian solution under the bridge towards the lavender farm. As the main tourist attraction in our village, it would make public services more appealing and enable daily traffic for families going from the Wilbury hill to the centre.
My last comment would be that no new development should be approved without proper pedestrian access included.
Many thanks for putting forward a positive new infrastructure plan.
Thank you, Louisiane – please do also comment on the plan using the link to the consultation, if you have not done so already!
We desperately need a safe way for pedestrians to pass through the railway bridge in Ickleford. Cars go so fast into the village and there is no footpath. Hitchin Lavender is an integral part of the village and pedestrians need to pass through the bridge regularly.
Thank you, Christine – if you follow the link to the consultation, you can have a look at the proposed solution for this area, and make your comments on the plan, so that the planners can take into account your views as they finalise the plan.