Have your say on healthier streets

Healthier streets are coming to Blackburn with Darwen (BwD). Walking , wheeling and cycling infrastructure changes and better planning will enable all road users to better share our streets and roads.

Some changes were implemented last summer in response to the pandemic using the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund, and activity app data tells us there’s already been an increase in residents’ walking and cycling.

Now, the Council wants to hear from you, to help improve areas where there is the greatest need for change and highest potential for more people to choose active travel. Blackburn’s Assistant Executive Member for Growth & Development, Cllr Zainab Rawat said:

“It’s crucial for the wellbeing of our communities that we make change happen on our streets. Our children need to be active and maintain a healthy weight to stay healthy. Our older residents need to feel safe, and healthy streets will help us share our space better in our neighbourhoods. If we all walk and cycle more, this will also reduce congestion and clean-up the air that we breathe in our towns.”

Complete the survey: Walking and cycling

Blackburn’s Executive Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Damian Talbot said: “The Council’s Healthy Weight Declaration shows how committed we are to improving public health in our communities. Enabling residents of all ages and abilities to walk and cycle more in their everyday lives is essential.”

The survey is an easy-to-use digital map-based form, and this is your chance to have your say on healthy streets for BwD. You can create a BwD profile if you don’t already use one for online services, but you can also choose the ‘submit anonymously’ button on the front page.

Once the survey response is collated BwD will publish the results together with any plan updates. Any schemes to be delivered as part of the Active Travel Fund will undergo consultation.  Once we are in a position to share, suggested improved walking and cycling schemes will be uploaded to this consultation platform. To find out more about the consultation process and to view the consultation plan visit https://bwdconnect.org.uk/active-travel-fund-information-and-consultations/

Walking and cycling is a major part of how residents not only get to and from work, but how people choose to exercise – especially given the current Covid daily exercise restrictions. There are currently a number of popular walking, running and cycling groups operating in the borough.

The creation of the Weavers Wheel, is a cycle network in and around Blackburn with Darwen and provides a real opportunity to promote Blackburn with Darwen as place to enjoy cycling and walking, once lockdown is over.  A variety of cycle rides and walks can now be accessed via our new Weavers Wheel booklets.

Complete the survey: Consultation: Walking and cycling | Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Read more about the Blackburn Stride and Ride project.