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October 2011

Walking Strategy for BristolOur Vision for 2011–2021

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Contents

Foreword ......................................................................................3

Setting the scene .......................................................................4

Improving and enhancing the walking network ............10

Promotion and partnerships................................................25

Links to wider policies and strategies................................32

Resources / funding................................................................38

Monitoring and review..........................................................41

Action Plan summary ..........................................43

Further information ............................................52

Bristol’s Walking Strategy

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Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Published October 2011Designed by Bristol City Council – Bristol Design • BD1934 • October 2011 • www.bristol.gov.uk

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Walking has been an essential humanactivity since the dawn of time. We allhave a right to expect to be able to getaround our city, whether it is tocommute to work, to see friends, to goshopping or for pleasure of walking itself.

Bristol isn’t always an ideal walkingenvironment. We are ‘blessed’ with steephills, a rainy climate, narrow historicpavements and numerous buildingmistakes from previous generations.These are things that we can do little ornothing to change. However, there arelots of simple things that the council,businesses and residents of Bristol cando to improve things and that is whatthis document seeks to lay out.

Nearly everyone is a pedestrian at somepoint and it is important to stress thatwe see this document as being as muchfor people with mobility impairments,like wheelchair users, as for those peoplewho are not disabled. In fact, many ofthe actions in this document arespecifically designed to assist disabledpeople, based on our consultation workwith that community.

Aside from helping people to exercisetheir right to walk easily, safely andenjoyably around their city, there aretwo other motives for this document.

Firstly, we want to encourage people to consider walking as a positivealternative to using a car, maybe as part

of using Bristol’s improving publictransport system. We know from talking to people that they want to seefewer cars in the city and reap thebenefit of lower carbon emissions,better air quality, safer roads and lessnoise. A city where people drive less and walk more is a healthier and more pleasant city.

Secondly, we want people to recognisethe personal benefits of walking to theirown health and wellbeing. The researchevidence is clear on this point: peoplewho walk regularly live longer and havehealthier and happier lives. Yet walkinghas been declining the UK over the lastdecades. We want to reverse this declinein Bristol.

Council strategy documents are rarely riveting, but do please take a few minutes to read through this one –the action plan at the end is probably the most important part as this lays out exactly what the council is proposing to do to improving walking in Bristol. We would be delighted to hear any additional thoughts or ideas you might have.

Councillor Neil HarrisonAssistant Executive Member for Sustainability

Foreword


Our aim is simple: to make walking in Bristoleasier, safer and more pleasant for everyone.

Walking is the most accessible and costeffective mode of travel. For the majorityof human history, walking has been themeans by which people have been able totravel.In modern society walking stillforms an essential part of most journeys,ranging from just a few meters to the carpark or public transport connection, toseveral miles.It can form our wholejourney from origin to destination, or justa small part at either end or along theway. Along with other ‘active travel’modes, it is also an easy and enjoyableway for people to increase their physicalactivity. The pedestrian environment inBristol has seen lots of improvements in

recent years andthis WalkingStrategy is anopportunity tobuild on theseand bringtogether thecomplex strands of what makes the bestpedestrian environment and tackle thebarriers that can make walking lessattractive for some. This Walking Strategyrefers to ‘walking’ or ‘the pedestrian’ but itshould be noted that enhancements tothe pedestrian environment should alsooffer benefits to all users of pavements,for example wheelchair users. Somefacilities can also benefit both pedestriansand cyclists, or help to minimise anypotential conflicts between them.

Walking is a key form of transport,particularly for short trips. Walking is the'glue' that binds together the transportsystem. It accounts for nearly a quarterof all journeys and some 80% of journeysless than a mile. Whilst walking is clearlynot suitable for all journeys it is animportant component of many, whetherit be walking to the bus stop or from thecar park.


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Setting the scene1

Introduction

This Walking Strategy sets out principles and actions for improvingthe walking environment in Bristol. This document is not a stand-alone strategy but rather articulates in greater detailthe overall strategy set out in the Joint Local Transport Plan 3 (published March 2011) and the Active Bristol(physical activity) Strategy (2011–2016).


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Benefits of walkingPersonal benefits

n Improves general health, helps tolower both blood pressure,improves heart health, improvesmuscular-skeletal health andbone strength (which reduces riskof falls especially among elders),reduces the risk of stroke andsome cancers and improvesmental health and wellbeing

n Age unrestricted – unlike so muchphysical activity, there is little, ifany, decline in middle age.It is ayear-round, readily repeatable,self-reinforcing, habit-formingactivity and the main option forincreasing physical activity insedentary populations. Walking isideal as a gentle start up for thesedentary, including the inactive,immobile elderly, bringing abonus of independence and well-being

n Maximises access to education,jobs and services

n Promotes enhanced mobility andindependence

n Saves money

n Avoids traffic congestion, makingit often quicker to get roundtowns and cities

Wider benefits

n Reduces carbon emissions fromtransport

n Improves local air quality

n Makes for more attractive, saferplaces and communities andincreased social cohesion

n Saves money

n Avoids traffic congestion, makingit often quicker to get roundtowns and cities

n Fewer cars on the road improvesroad safety and supportsindependent mobility for childrenand older people

Nationally, people are walking less. Weneed to reverse this trend if we are tosee the social, environmental and healthbenefits of walking and other activetravel increased. There is a realopportunity to replace many shorterjourneys that are currently made by carwith walking trips.

Walking should be easy, safe andpleasant. The walking network shouldconnect key destinations either directlyor via public transport networks.Walking routes should be pleasant, andinteract with an interesting environmentand other people. The network should

be well maintained to designatedstandards, to keep it free from obstaclesand improve safety. People should feelable to exercise their right to walkaround the city in the best possibleenvironment.

Walking is not just a mode of travel, it isan enjoyable and cheap form ofrecreation for many.Bristol's greenspaces, fine harbourside, and builtheritage provide excellent walkingopportunities for residents and visitorsalike. These opportunities need to beprotected and enhanced.

Vision

Walking will be the first choice for localjourneys and together with publictransport, a part of longer ones. Peoplewill be regularly walking along highquality, safe routes to work, school, theshops, for leisure and recreation.Resulting reductions in vehicle trafficthen lead to less congestion andemissions affecting local air quality, roadsafety, health and quality of life.

Objectives

In order to realise the Vision, theobjectives of this walking strategy are to:

n Improve the walking environment

n Improve people’s health throughwalking

n Reduce the number of short trips bycar by making walking the first choicefor short journeys

n Provide information to enable morepeople to walk more often

n Improve the perception of walking

n Improve safety and security

In order to achieve these objectives weneed to:

n Plan for local facilities

n Design convenient, direct walkingroutes

n Reduce traffic speeds whereappropriate

n Make streets safe and secure

n Create pleasant, attractiveenvironments

n Sell the benefits of walking

Policy contextThere is already a strong policy steertowards encouraging walking andenhancing the pedestrian environmentboth at a national and local level. Walkingis an integral part of many policy areasincluding social inclusion, accessibility,promoting sustainable travel and publichealth.

National Public Health Promotion Policy

The link between transport choice,physical activity and health is recognisednationally in ‘Start Active, Stay Active(2011), ‘Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives’,the ‘Change4Life’ programme, and ajoint Active Travel strategy launchedjointly by the Department of Health andDepartment for Transport.

Promoting walking and particularlybuilding this activity into people’severyday routines (such as the journeysthey make) is a key issue in terms ofdelivering both transport and healthoutcomes.

There is strong evidence that a lifecourseapproach results in significant behaviourchange. As an example, within the'Sustainable Travel Towns' (a governmentdemonstration project coveringDarlington, Peterborough andWorcester), results showed that thegreatest travel behaviour changes wereassociated with people in periods oftransition such as moving on with theeducation system and moving job.During significant lifecourse events, suchas moving house or changing job, habitis broken affording the opportunity todevelop sustainable travel behaviour.

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Joint Local Transport Plan

The third Joint Local Transport Plan (JLTP)sets out transport policy for the West ofEngland area up to 2026. Its policieshave been shaped by the current JointLocal Transport Plan 2006–11 andgovernment guidance. The JLTP is basedaround five key goals of: reducingcarbon emissions; supporting economicgrowth; equality of opportunity; safety,health and security, and; quality of life.Walking can play a key role towardspromoting all of these goals.

The JLTP contains a Walking Statement.This ‘Bristol’ Walking Strategy is framedwithin the higher-level principles of both the JLTP and its Walking Statement but itis intended to articulate in more detailhow Bristol wishes to approachimproving the walking environmentacross the city.

Local Development Framework

The Local Development Framework (LDF)is a suite of planning documents to guide

development decisions in the city up to2026. The LDF will gradually replace theLocal Plan. The LDF contains specifictransport policies and more general land-use policies, which aim to ensure thatthe pedestrian environment is enhancedthrough future development.

As part of the LDF, a Central Area ActionPlan will map out land use principles ingreater detail in the central area of thecity. This is an opportunity to ensure thatcoherent pedestrian spaces andnetworks are protected during anyfuture development in the city, and willact as a strong policy tool in attractingany potential funding that may becomeavailable for pedestrian enhancementsin the future. The LDF also containsimportant policies on the city's 'greeninfrastructure' – open spaces and linksbetween them that are especiallyimportant for walkers (and runners) forboth recreation and travel.The principlesset out in this Walking Strategy will helpto inform these policies.

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Transport user priorities

Transport user priorities help influenceplanning applications and schemedesigns. The priorities can assist inprioritising the needs of differenttransport modes where there areconflicting demands on space. Thepriority list is not binding and needs totake into account local circumstances.The needs of disabled people areincorporated throughout.

n Pedestrians/walkers – increasewalking through developing,promoting and maintaining safe,secure, convenient, efficient andattractive infrastructure.

n Cyclists – increase cycling throughproviding high quality route networksand infrastructure improvementsincluding cycle parking, whereverpossible.

n Public transport users – recognisingpassenger needs with measures such as shelters, seats, real timeinformation, interchanges and newservices included where consideredbeneficial and practicable.

n Powered two-wheelers –accommodating the needs ofmotorcycles and scooters in terms ofroad space, parking and safety.

n Commercial and business vehicles –maintain appropriate levels of accessto ensure the retail and commercialvitality of city and town centres

n Private car – while this form oftransport is the lowest on the prioritylist, it is recognised that there mustbe adequate access, particularly forresidents, those with mobility needsand car borne commuters.

These priorities will ensure that newtransport schemes will enhance thepedestrian environment, for examplenew ‘showcase’ bus corridors haveprovided better crossing facilities forpedestrians.

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Children’s Play

The Play Strategy for the city aims toincrease the amount and quality ofchildren’s play in a variety of settingsand to ensure all Bristol’s children andyoung people have access to such

opportunities. There is a commitment topromoting active travel to play venues aswell as support for the promotion ofstreet play with the control of vehiclemovement and speed.

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Playing Out

Playing Out is a model for street play developed in Bristol. The aim is toencourage more resident-organised street play sessions for children and youngpeople in their area. The street becomes a temporary ‘play street’ in the after-school time period for 2–3 hours. Through traffic is diverted but residents stillhave access for parking. Residents ‘steward’ either end of the street to ensurethis happens safely. The aim is to cause as little disruption as possibledemonstrating that street play does not require anything more than anagreement by residents and car drivers to prioritise children’s safety andrecognise their right to play outside their home.

The council has changed its policy so that communities can have morefrequent road closures to vehicles and so opening up the street for play, withone annual application and the same level of neighbourhood consultation.

The Playing Out model is not intended to be a permanent solution but to actas a bridge between the current situation and the long-term goal of street playbeing a normal safe and positive part of urban life.

Case Study

Defining the walking network

Walking routes should be clearly definedwith a hierarchy approach of informallocal routes, key strategic routes,‘showcase’ walking routes, a central areanetwork and Public Rights of Way.

n Informal local routes – these routeslink residential areas to the widernetwork. The standard of these routeswill vary depending on location e.g.pedestrian-only spaces, pavementsalong roads, ‘shared spaces’. As thestart or end of all journeys, mostjourneys will involve utilising some ofthese spaces regardless of the mainmode of transport.

n Key strategic routes – main routeslinking residential areas with keydestinations such as the central areaor district shopping centres.

n ‘Showcase’ walking routes – specifickey strategic routes that have beenidentified as being particularlyimportant in linking key destinations.In recognition of their importanceand higher number of pedestriansthese should receive focussedintervention to ensure they provideand easy, safe and pleasant walkingenvironment throughout.

n Public Rights of Way – highways that allow the public a legal right ofpassage – whether on or off road,which form key parts of the aboveroutes.

Clearly defined and coherentwalking routes

The walking network should be clearand coherent to all users with thepedestrian given appropriate priority inareas of high pedestrian activity.

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Improving and enhancing the walking network

We want to provide pedestrian routes and networks that arecoherent, pleasant and accessible, and to enable users tomaximise use of the facilities available.

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Bristol Legible City

In 1996 the Bristol Legible City initiativewas conceived by Bristol City Council to deliver an information andwayfinding strategy that matched itsambition to be a leading cultural andcommercial destination.

Bristol Legible City is a unique concept toimprove people’s understanding andexperience of the city through theimplementation of identity, informationand transportation projects. BristolLegible City projects include directionsigns, on street information panels with

city and area maps, printed walkingmaps, visitor information, identity andarts projects. These projectscommunicate the city consistently and effectively to visitors and residents alike.

Through the designation of keypedestrian routes including ‘showcase’pedestrian routes inspired by recentachievements such as the ‘Brunel Mile’(see Case Study below) and actions suchas signage audits, this Walking Strategyshould influence future phases of BristolLegible City.

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Bristol Legible City pedestrian sign system

The signing system for pedestrians in Bristol City Centre was the first major project of the Bristol Legible City initiative. It has been designed specifically to encouragewalking and to aid wayfinding in a complex city centre environment.

It consists of direction signs and monolithshaped map panels to aid people’sunderstanding of the city centre. In total thereare nearly 40 monolith panels and 60 directionsigns, with over 700 fingers. The monolith panels help the user identify wherethey are and help them plan their journey through a combination of text andmap information. The maps have innovative features forming a comprehensivemapping system.

The focus and location of the system has been designed around thedevelopment of a primary pedestrian route network, termed the ‘Blue Route’,this links the main city centre neighbourhood areas together. The monolithpanels are located at car parks, and at major junctions and spaces throughoutthe city centre. Direction signs are interspersed with the monolith panels, atminor junctions, to provide continuity.

Case Study


Central Bristol: A rebalanced city centre in Bristol

The city centre is the cultural andeconomic heart of Bristol and willcontinue to play a critical role in its futureprosperity and identity. Bristol’s LocalDevelopment Framework Core Strategyidentifies the city centre as a sustainablelocation for future growth, situated at theheart of the travel networks, includingTemple Meads railway station, the mainbus station at Marlborough Street andother existing and proposed publictransport hubs. An attractive andwalkable city centre will play a key role inshaping future competitive advantage.

The quality of the city centre’s streetsand public spaces is being eroded by theadverse impact of vehicular trafficcongestion – noise, pollution, andseverance of key pedestrian routes. Theobjectives for the city centre are to:

n Establish a new relationship betweenpeople, place and vehicular trafficthat improves the environmental,cultural, economic and socialwellbeing of the city centre and itscommunities;

n Prioritise the needs of pedestrians,cyclists and public transport users toreinforce Bristol as an ambitiousEuropean city;

n Achieve the highest sustainabilityand urban design standards;

n Provide traffic access to support thecommercial activity of the city;

n Encourage new approaches todynamic traffic management whichenables traffic access or restricts it atdifferent times of the day or week.

The space between buildings thatcomprises the public realm will becomea canvas upon which a healthier, morelively and inclusive public life, a moreenergetic and more prosperous economywill be established.

Creating a distinctive and high quality public realm that is welcoming,coherent and easy to get around will be achieved through the application of the award winning Legible Cityinitiative and its people centred designand transport principles. Creativesolutions will be promoted.

Ambitious and long term proposals will be delivered incrementally over the JLTP3 period.

The Walking Strategy will influenceother council documents focussing onthe future of the central area of Bristol,such as the emerging Public Realm andMovement Framework and the LDFCentral Area Action Plan.

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The Brunel Mile

As part of the Brunel 200 celebrations, the Brunel Mile links Bristol’s historicTemple Meads station and Brunel’s pioneering ship the ss Great Britain.

The aim of the Brunel Mile is to provide a high quality, imaginative,memorable and direct pedestrian link across the city. It joins up both thesuperb heritage of Brunel and the new public spaces and squares in the citycentre and also spans Bristol Harbour and waterfront.

What improvements have been made?

n enhancement of the footway to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists

n provision of accessible crossings lighting improvements

n new railings along the edge of the car park in Portwall Lane

n landscaping

n interpretive information

The improvements to the Portwall section have resulted in a safe and securepedestrian route between Redcliffe Bridge and the Island Site enhancing thePortwall and this part of the Redcliffe Conservation Area.

Case study


Rights of Way Improvement Plans

All Local Highway Authorities arerequired to prepare Rights of WayImprovement Plans. A Joint Rightsof Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP)was developed by Bristol, Bath andNorth East Somerset and SouthGloucestershire councils to planhow they manage the 1,300 miles(2,100km) of public rights of wayacross their areas.

The ROWIP vision is to increase theuse of local rights of way bydeveloping the network of safe andattractive routes, which throughbacking to increase walking andother forms of sustainable travelwill contribute to many of the goalsof JLTP3.

The Plan focuses on four mainthemes:

n Theme 1 – ImprovingMaintenance andSafety

n Theme 2 – Signing Routes

n Theme 3 – ProvidingInformation

n Theme 4 – Improving Access for Local Travel

The current Rights of WayImprovement Plans are underreview for the post 2011 period, andpart of this includes the possibilityof developing one combined planfor the West of England.

Public rights of way

Rights of way provide manyopportunities to enjoy the naturalenvironment. They can be wide tracks ornarrow trails, and they can run throughtowns or across remote countryside.

All public rights of way are legallyhighways and anyone may use them atany time. There are different types.Walking is permitted on all of them, butsome have extra rights to ride a horse,cycle or drive a vehicle. In Bristol thereare 160km of Public Rights of Way(155km of footpaths and 5km ofbridleways).

The council records the legal existenceand location of rights of way on theDefinitive Map. As the HighwayAuthority, the council has a duty toensure that routes are adequatelymaintained, free from obstruction andfit for purpose.

The Public Rights of Way network isimportant in many different ways. Itprovides access to the countryside, getspeople out and about, has healthbenefits due to walking, cycling andriding and supports the local economyby providing links to many services.

The Public Rights of Way Networkprovides useful links for recreationalwalking and running, for more vigorousexercise. Access to these recreationalnetworks is particularly valuable tothose living in urban areas. AccordinglyPublic Rights of Way in our neighbouringauthorities are important for Bristol aswell.

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(Together Bath and North East Somerset,South Gloucestershire and NorthSomerset have a network of almost3,000km)

Through the Rights of Way ImprovementPlan, the council maintains and promotesthe PRoW network and this WalkingStrategy will help to integrate routes intothe wider walking network. Access toleisure and health walks utilising thePRoW network will also be promoted.

Green infrastructure

Green infrastructure can include walkingand cycling routes, public rights of way,accessible river corridors and greenstreets that create pleasant surroundingsand links for physical activity as part ofeveryday life. The strategic greeninfrastructure network protects andenhances connections between elementsof green infrastructure in the city andallows improved connectivity for peopleand wildlife.

As set out in our LDF Core Strategy, thecouncil will ensure that the integrity and

connectivity of the strategic greennetwork is maintained, protected andenhanced. Opportunities to extendcoverage and connectivity of thestrategic green infrastructure networkshould be taken.

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Connect 2

Bristol City Centre–Ashton–Long Ashton–Nailsea–Backwell

Connect 2 Project is providing funding for the “Festival Way” cycling andwalking route near Bristol.

This scheme comprises a number of key links and connections which togethermake up a large network of routes. Festival Way links central Bristol to themajor events site at Ashton and then continues on to Long Ashton, opening uplinks to its residents. The long-sought Cambridge Batch link beside themainline railway will provide a link to Backwell School for Long Ashtonresidents and an attractive way to Tyntesfield for National Trust site visitors.The link will overcome a major gap in the public footpath network in the area.

Principlesn The walking network should be

clear and coherent

n Any transport schemes shouldhave a positive impact on thepedestrian environment, inkeeping with the Road UserHierarchy

n Pedestrian route priorities willinfluence future plans for the central area of Bristol

n Gaps in the city's rights of wayand green infrastructurenetworks should be filled, openspaces that are of strategicrecreational importance forwalking fully protected andwalking opportunities enhanced

Case study


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Actions

n Identify a network of key walking routes and produce a network map

n Carry out an audit of walking infrastructure and map as a GIS layer

n Develop design standards for walking routes

n Identify five showcase walking routes linking key destinations with theaim of delivering a higher quality and safer pedestrian environment, e.g. improved signage, lighting, design standards, etc.

n Undertake citywide signage audit and identify areas for improved signageinformed by pedestrian network map and showcase walking routes.

n Implement the Rights of Way Improvement Plan

n Investigate opportunities for new river and harbour crossing points

n Investigate opportunities for redevelopment of large roundabouts withunderpasses which some pedestrians can find threatening/unsafe (e.g.‘The Bear Pit’ St James Barton roundabout)

n Identify paths and routes, including on open spaces where the PublicRights of Way Network could be enhanced


Managing and improving thewalking environment

“We want to ensure that thewalking environment is wellmaintained, accessible, safeand pleasant”.

The management of the walkingnetwork will be prioritised according tothe strategic network identified.

Alongside cyclical maintenance,information received from the public isvital in assisting the council inmaintaining the pedestrian network. Tothis end, we welcome faults or problemswith the walking environment beingreported through NeighbourhoodPartnerships or via the council’sCustomer Service telephone, email oronline facility including information on:

n damaged bollards, potholes or otherproblems with roads or pavements

n faulty or damaged street lights

n objects blocking the road orpavement

n faulty traffic lights

n noisy or faulty drains and manholecovers

n blocked or smelly drains

n faulty or missing nameplates

n street cleansing issues

n noise nuisance

n air pollution

Maintenance

Maintaining footways and pedestrianroutes is essential in providing a goodquality walking environment. Footwaysthat are not well maintained can act as abarrier to walking, for example, due touneven surfaces and trip hazards,especially to those with impaired mobility.

Surface defects should not be allowed todevelop to the extent that they becomea hazard and vegetation should beregularly cut back to preserve availablewidth and sight lines.

The council will ensure that the walkingenvironment is maintained andimproved through its AssetManagement Plan.

The council will carry out a six monthlyinspection of the highway network andundertake the renewing or repairing ofcarriageways and footways as well asstreet lighting, signs, bridges andretaining walls.

Severe winter weather

Gritting of key pedestrian locations willbe prioritised during periods of extremeweather. There are 600 grit bins aroundthe city with an online grit bin finderavailable to the public.

Cleansing

The cleanliness of the walkingenvironment significantly contributes tothe attractiveness of an area, andtherefore to the attractiveness ofwalking in that area.

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The council will ensure the cleaning ofBristol’s streets, including removinglitter from the highways, mechanicalsweeping of road channels and removalof fly tipped waste. All roads in the citywill be cleaned at least once every threeweeks. The frequency of cleaning will be

increased on many roads and shopfronts where necessary.

During the autumn, we will have extrateams working to clear leaves from thehighways. All adopted highways will alsobe treated twice a year to control weeds.

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Bristol Clean and Green

Bristol Clean and Green is a people-led project aimed at:

n improving the cleanliness of Bristol’s public spaces, especially main roadsand ‘grot spots’.

n implementing innovative, long term solutions to problems like littering, fly-tipping, graffiti and fly-posting through publicity campaigns andcommunity engagement.

Who is involved?

n We work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including residents,businesses, council departments and community groups.

How are we making a difference?

Clean-ups: We can give help to residents wishing to clean up local ‘grot spots’ –sites where flytipping, plant growth, graffiti and flyposting have got out ofhand.

Graffiti: Graffiti can make an area seem run down and unsafe. We work closelywith contractors, enforcement officers and the community to clear graffiti, andto identify troublespots and offenders. We also work with young people andthe public to organise the painting of murals, which provide a focal point forcommunity engagement and deter further illegal graffiti.

Littering: We have been involved in coordinating a series of high profilecampaigns aimed at raising public awareness of the problems caused bydifferent types of litter.

Working with businesses: Businesses can apply for one of the Tidy BusinessStandard awards. These are aimed at encouraging businesses to considerrecycling and waste minimisation initiatives, as well as ensuring they havecomplied fully with Duty of Care legislation. Businesses are encouraged to takepart in supporting community clean ups and improving their local environment.To date over 20 businesses have achieved Tidy Business Standards.

Case study


Lighting

The provision of street lighting isessential in enhancing an area andmaking pedestrians feel secure. Goodlighting is particularly important aroundpoints of transport interchange, such asbus stops, and also areas where theremay be fear of crime.

The council will ensure that lighting is maintained and improved asappropriate through the Transport Asset Management Plan.

Utility and road works

Utility and road works can disrupt thewalking environment, sometimesforcing pedestrians into the road orthrough longer diversions. It isimportant to ensure that the safety andconvenience of pedestrians is notcompromised by road works.

The council has regulatory powers andresponsibility for the control of utilityand road works and will ensure thatpedestrians are given high priority andtheir safe passage ensured.

The council will manage scheduledutility and road works to ensure minimaldisruption to the pedestrian network.

Pavement obstructions

Objects blocking the pavement, whetherthey are temporary or permanentobstructions, detract from the walkingenvironment causing particulardifficulty for those with mobilityimpairment, such as wheelchair users and those with pushchairs.Frequently cited obstructions to the footway include:

n street signs and furniture

n advertising boards

n wheelie bins

n equipment

n vehicles parked on pavements or overdropped kerbs

n overhanging bushes

Through a combination of regularinspections and responding to reportswe will investigate and take actionagainst obstruction of the footway. Non-vehicular obstructions we can deal withimmediately if they are dangerous andblocking the footway. Obstructions thatare less serious we are required to gothrough a legal process to deal with theoffending property owners. We typicallyissue 600–700 enforcement lettersannually, the majority of which result inthe owners removing the obstruction.

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Pavement parking remains an ongoingconcern for many residents across thecity. We have powers to enforce againstpavement parking where there is a legalorder in place for the road (such asdouble yellow lines) and also whereparking is blocking dropped pedestriankerbs at junctions. Other obstructions byvehicles are currently the responsibilityof the police to enforce. We willinvestigate how to bring forward acitywide approach to pavement parking.

We will proactively promote to residentsgood practice for wheelie and recyclingbins encouraging them to be left ontheir property. Where residents find itdifficult to store their bins within theirproperty boundary, we will look at otheroptions that may be more convenient forthem such as smaller bins, using binbags instead of bins and investigate thepotential for community bin pilots.

The proliferation of A-boards and similaradvertising is a key issue in terms ofstreet clutter and obstruction to thefootway. We need to strike a balancebetween allowing businesses toadvertise whilst protecting andenhancing the street environment forpedestrians and promoting vibrant retailareas for all businesses. As part of thedevelopment of this strategy, we willdevelop a policy for improvedmanagement and control of A-boards

We will follow the guidelines set out inthe council’s Environmental AccessStandards to ensure that street signsand furniture are provided withoutcausing unnecessary obstruction of the footway.

Pollution

Problems with noise, air or landpollution reduce the quality of walking environment and can act as a barrier to walking.

The council is working with DEFRA toproduce a Noise Action Plan for prioritylocations in Bristol and will investigatenoise management measures thatmight be appropriate.

The overall strategy of the Joint LocalTransport Plan 3 contains measuresaimed at reducing car usage, which willbring about improvements in air qualityand noise reduction.

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Clutter reduction

The city centre streets and spaceshad a growing number ofobsolete signs and incorrectdirectional information.Therefore, as part of the firstphase of installation of thepedestrian signing system,incorrect signs were removed asnew information was installed.

The pedestrian signing systemwas designed to replace the largenumber of separate sign systemsthat had been introduced on apiecemeal basis, with oneconsistent city centre widesystem. During 2001/2approximately 200 pieces of streetfurniture were removed or resitedto improve clarity in the city.

Case study


We have programmes to improve airquality both within the current AirQuality Management Areas (AQMAs) andalso within the rest of the city to ensurethat other areas do not deteriorate.

Problems with air quality and noise canbe reported via the council’s CustomerService telephone, email and onlinereporting facility. We may not always beable to act immediately, but it isimportant that we know whereproblems exist.

Accessibility

By providing a walking environment thatcan be easily accessed by those withsensory or mobility impairment we willprovide a good quality environment forall pedestrians. Most people at sometime in their life will experience reducedmobility, for example due to injurynecessitating temporary wheelchair use,using a pushchair or are just carryingheavy shopping.

Dropped kerbs are particularly beneficialto users of wheelchairs and pushchairsand tactile paving needs to be providedto assist visually impaired people.

Seating at regular intervals is desirableto enable people to stop and rest. Careneeds to be taken to ensure that seatsare not placed in a position where theyimpede heavy flows or pose a hazard tovisually impaired people.

We will follow the guidelines set out inthe council’s Environmental AccessStandards to ensure that all pedestriansbenefit from accessible design,incorporating measures such as tactilepaving, dropped kerbs and betterseating provision.

Toilets

Availability of public toilets can influencepeople’s decision on where and how farthey can walk. The public should feelconfident that availability of public toiletsthroughout the city is adequate to meetthe needs of all of their walking journeys.

Together with council provided toilets,some private businesses also offer theirtoilet facilities for use by the generalpublic as part of a council managedscheme. We will work partnership toenhance and expand provision andbetter promote these facilities, and drawlessons from other authorities.

Benches

Research by ‘Inclusive Design for GettingOutdoors’ shows that many older peopleneed benches at frequent intervals alongtheir routes, if they are to be able to usethe outdoor environment. Older peopleliving in a supportive outdoorenvironment tend to be more active,healthier and happier.

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Traffic management and road safety

We want to improve safety ofall users of the highwaynetwork and ensure that trafficschemes help to provide awalkable environment.

The council will aim to manage thehighway network effectively through the provision of safe and wherepracticable, convenient routes for all users.

Our vision is to make road travel in theWest of England area the safest inBritain for all road users. In seeking to achieve our vision we aim to:

n Substantially reduce the numbersand severity of casualties for all road users

n Achieve this reduction whilst alsoachieving modal shift and increase insustainable travel proposedthroughout the JLTP3

n Improve perceived safety for all road users

n Embed road safety considerationsinto the hearts and minds of the public

n Optimise joint working with all ourpartners and colleagues.

n Prioritise vulnerable 'road' users e.g.children, older people

To improve road safety for pedestrianswe will:

n continue to develop and deliver childpedestrian training

n consider the needs of pedestrians inall transport and highway schemesand make appropriate provision

n implement a range of schemes and measures to improve safety for pedestrians

n design schemes and facilities forpedestrians in accordance with bestpractice guidelines.

Traffic volumes and speeds should bereduced where possible in order tocreate the desired conditions (of awalking environment).

Crossings

Crossing facilities are an important partof making the walking environment safeand easily accessible. Different types ofcrossing are installed at differentlocations depending on the trafficconditions, road type and pedestrianflow to ensure pedestrian safety.

The Road User Hierarchy will beconsidered when determining the typeof crossing to be installed.

Crossings will be provided ‘at grade’(street level) as standard andunderpasses will be replaced with atgrade crossings where possible.Pedestrian waiting times at signalcontrolled crossings should be reducedwhere possible.

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20mph speed limits

Background information

In 2010, in support of the Cycling City project and ActiveBristol Strategy, Bristol City Councilintroduced two 20mph speed limit pilotareas. The two pilot areas are Inner EastBristol and Inner South Bristol. We wantto expand 20mph speed limit areas across the city in thefuture.

Objectives

The primary aim is to make walking andcycling around these areas safer andmore attractive thereby encouraging more people to walk and cycle aroundtheir own community.

Research suggests that pedestrians struck at 30mph have about a 1 in 5chance of being killed. At 20mph the chance of a pedestrian dying is reducedto 1 in 40. Drivers also have more time to react to situations at slower speeds.

Road signs

To alert drivers of their entry into the 20mph speed limit area there are20mph traffic signs installed on both sides of the street. On the back of the20mph signs there are 30mph signs alerting drivers that they are leavingthe 20mph zone. In some areas speed-activated flashing vehicle activatedsigns have also been installed to reinforce the message.

In addition, there are smaller traffic signs attached to lampposts at regularintervals throughout the pilot areas to remind drivers of the speed limit. Onentering the 20mph speed limit there are also 20mph markings painted on theroad to remind people of the lower speed limit.

The 20mph zones do not include any physical traffic calming features such asspeed humps or chicanes. A promotion campaign on the importance of 20mphhas been led by Active Bristol promoting to community organisations, schools,health services, fleet services, the Police and taxi companies.

A Citizens Panel on 'Your Street' found that 78% agreed that driving over thespeed limit in residential streets is always anti social and that 85% would liketheir street to become a 20mph speed limit area.

Case study


Safety and security

Fear of crime can deter people fromwalking, especially after dark. The designof pedestrian facilities can influence howsafe people feel and therefore how wellthe facilities are used. We want to providean environment where security fears,whether real or perceived, are minimisedand are no longer barriers to walking.

The risk of crime can be reduced throughincreased sight lines, removal of hidingplaces along the route, provision oflighting and the presence of passivesurveillance from neighbouringpremises or other users. At best safety isachieved through increased numbers of

pedestrians (and cyclists) creating formalsurveillance.

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Principles

n The walking environment will be well maintained, accessible,safe and pleasant

n Footways should whereverpossible be kept clear ofunnecessary obstructions

n To improve safety of all users ofthe highway network andensure that traffic schemes helpto provide a walkableenvironment.

Actionsn Improve the council’s reporting procedures for defects or problems with

pedestrian infrastructure. n Publish service standards for pedestrian infrastructure maintenance.n Publish information on which pedestrian areas should be gritted during icy

weather conditions. Key areas along showcase walking routes, and gatewaysto them to be considered for gritting once routes have been defined.

n Promote good practice to residents for wheelie and recycling bin storagewithin property boundaries to keep pavements clear. Develop a stagedapproach to enforcement to initially promote other options for residentswho find it difficult to store bins within their property boundary (e.g.smaller bins, bin bags, community bin pilot), with enforcement actionbeing taken against repeat offenders.

n Develop a strategy to reduce pavement parking– establish if the approachshould be differential depending on local circumstances, or a singlecitywide approach.

n Develop a policy for improved management and control of temporarystreet signage such as A-boards.

n Develop and promote public access to the full range of toilet facilitiesincluding public toilets, toilets in participating private buildings e.g.supermarkets, and council buildings. Consult further with private building owners with the aim of increasing the number of private buildings open to the public.

n Roll out 20mph speed limit area pilot areas city-wide.


Understanding the ‘customer’:Why walk?

While it may seem self-evident thatpeople walk because it is free, easy,healthy, sociable etc… as walking is indecline there is a need to do more topromote it’s multifaceted benefits andchange travel behaviours. We need tounderstand beliefs and attitudes towalking including subjective and socialnorms e.g. is walking part of what I do? Isit what my peers do? In addition, researchsuggests that many people perceivewalking to time inefficient although thiscan change when people recognise themany benefits of walking. Barriers towalking are therefore both physical – interms of the built environment – andpsychological, in terms of cultural andother normative value systems that maydiscourage walking. Even when there isintention this can be thwarted by habite.g. car dependency removing the mostobvious opportunities to walk as part of adaily routine.

Promotional materials encouragingwalking therefore needs carefultargeting in order to tap into themotivations to walk for varioussegments of the population in order toachieve increases in walking. Utilisingsocial marketing and smarter choicesinterventions to target identifiedpopulation segments provides the mostpromising means of affecting behaviourchange.

Promotion

It is important to ensure that avariety of information, in avariety of formats is madeavailable to promote andprovide information on walking.

Alongside engineering measures tophysically improve the walkingenvironment it is vital that walkingopportunities are promoted andinformation on them is widely availableboth in paper form such as maps andelectronic media.

Web promotion and facilities

Web-based promotion and informationoffers the opportunity for up to dateinformation to reach a wide range ofpeople quickly. The council’s web siteoffers a range of walking relatedinformation such as suggested walkingroutes and links to other useful webbased resources such as journey planners.

Walkit.com is a web site where you canplan your walking journeys in Bristolusing the online trip planner. Enter yourjourney start and end points and it willplot your journey on a map and suggestapproximate journey times.

Published maps and leaflets

The council publishes a range ofpromotional materials such as maps and leaflets. Bristol has worked in

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Promotion and partnerships 3


partnership with the Bristol RamblersGroup to publish a selection of‘Discovering Bristol on Foot’ walks. Mapsof these routes are produced by thecouncil (and can also be downloadedfrom our web site).

More general published travelinformation is available from the council with the aim of promoting activetravel modes such as walking.

Public Health promotion

Promoting the many health benefitsthat walking can bring is a powerful toolto increase walking levels. Throughinitiatives such as Active Bristol, Walkingfor Health, School and Employer TravelPlans active travel modes are promotedwith health benefits being a keyincentive. These Partnership-basedinitiatives are discussed in the following section.

Media communications

Working with the local media offersopportunities to get desired messagesout to the wider public. Promotingwalking initiatives through specific pressreleases aimed at the local media is akey for communicating with harder toreach groups. Media communicationscan also help to publicise new walkinginitiatives or the opening of newpedestrian routes.

Principles

n Publish information to assistwalking as a travel mode choicesuch as maps and informationto assist with journey planning

n Communicate with the localmedia to promote walking andhelp to foster a positive image ofwalking as an active travel choice.

Partnerships

There are many groups or organisationsthat share similar agenda and goals interms of walking and other active travelmodes. Through partnership workingacross all the themes set out in thisstrategy, we can maximise the return oninvestment in walking.

Though not an exhaustive list, ourpartners include:

n Schools

n Employers

n Health Services

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n Local authorities

n Neighbourhood Partnerships

n Police

n Voluntary Organisations

Neighbourhood Partnerships

In October 2009, the council took adecision to give greater powers to localneighbourhood over some councilservices for the local area. These services include:

n street cleaning

n minor traffic schemes

n highway maintenance

n parks

n local recycling schemes

n community safety.

There are 14 ‘NeighbourhoodPartnerships’ covering the whole ofBristol, each consisting of two or three Wards. They provide theopportunity for local communities tohave a greater say in the way servicesand local managed by Bristol CityCouncil and partner agencies

We will work closely with theNeighbourhood Partnerships ininforming and addressing local needs for the walking environment withspecific roles such as:

n Potential for street reps

n Local signage audit

n Each partnership could developan active strategy and walking plans

n Walking promotion.

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Greater Bedminster Neighbourhood Partnership

Background information

The Greater Bedminster Neighbourhood Partnership is one of 14Neighbourhood Partnerships established across Bristol; an alliance of local councillors, voluntary and community organisations, private businessesand public agencies within the wards of Southville and Bedminster.www.greaterbedminster.org.uk

Street Reps

Members of the public in Greater Bedminster have volunteered to become‘Street Reps’. By merely going about their daily business and reportingincidents such as litter, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, anti social behaviour andhighway problems street reps ensure that the local environment is ‘policed’ asbest it can be. Reps nominate the street they live in and / or streets they useregularly that they can regularly monitor.

Greater Bedminster Walking ‘Plan’

Volunteers in the local community have been working towards their own Walking ‘Plan’. The Plan seeks to identify priority walking routes thatcould be improved and where potential obstacles to walking could beremoved, either physical or psychological. When the routes have been fullyaudited, proposals for improvements can be developed and discussed with the council. This community-led approach aims to get support of shopkeepers and residents along the route. Some improvements may not require funding, e.g. persuading someone to cut their overhangingbushes).

Promotional activities

The Partnership promotes a range of activities for the local communityincluding walking promotion such as the ‘LinkAge Walking Group’ whoorganise short walks for people over 50.


Case Study

Working with schools

Various promotional measures arecarried out to encourage walking toschool, and these are a key part of theoverall strategy. Measures include:

n Walk to school month

n Walk on Wednesdays

n Walk to school week

n Step up Walking buses.

(See section 4 for more details)

Working with local employers

Working with employers to promotewalking as a means of active travelprovides a key channel to reach many people.

As well as the benefits to individualsthat walking can bring, there arebenefits to employers including:

n Improved employee health and well being

n Carbon reduction targets

n Time and cost savings

n Efficiency gains.

Working with voluntaryorganisations

Voluntary organisations such as theBristol Ramblers Group play a key roleespecially in encouraging recreationalwalking and in maintaining an attractiveenvironment. There are numerouswalking groups in the city and severalorganisations that undertake litterpicking and path maintenance.

Travel plans

Travel Planning can be employed justabout anywhere, including workplaces,schools, visitor attractions andresidential developments.

A Travel Plan is a range of measuresaimed at managing the transport needsof an organisation or single locationshared by several different organisations.The overall aim is to reduce the numberof trips made by single occupancy carand improving accessibility, bypromoting wider travel choices andhealthier more sustainable travel.

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The council has a role to play insupporting organisations who areprepared to establish their ownvoluntary travel plans. We can offertechnical advice and support toorganisations who want it, for examplethrough information, maps andtimetables, free electronic staff surveyservice and free membership of theGreen Commuter Club.

Green Commuter Club

The Green Commuter Club is a networkof employers committed to thepromotion of sustainable travel, both tohelp employers commuting and forbusiness efficiency. The network meetsthree or four times a year to discusscommon travel issues, share experiencesand gain up-to-date information about local travel. The meetings aresupplemented by regular contactthrough electronic newsletters.

Through the Green Commuter Club thecouncil will help employers support theirstaff to walk more.

Active Bristol

Active Bristol is the physical activitystrategy for the city (2011–2016). It aimsto bring about a significant andsustainable increase in the number ofBristol residents who are physicallyactive. To do this, changes to the urbanenvironment need to be supported inorder to allow individuals andcommunities to make active travel andleisure choices.

Physical activity opportunitiescommissioned have been targetedtowards areas of high health need aswell as sections of the population whohave low participation rates in physicalactivity.

Walking for Health

'Walking for Health Bristol' is our healthwalks programme which provides peoplewith the opportunity to take part inshort, safe, sociable walks within localcommunities. It is part of a nationwidescheme to get more people walking. Thewalks have been developed as part ofWalking for Health (WfH) a NaturalEngland initiative.

Entry levels walks are between 15–30minutes duration and suitable for thosewho are sedentary or who have activitylimiting health conditions. In addition,measured routes in a number of parksacross the city are being marked out toencourage independent walking. Wealso support mapping resources such asthe ‘Walk It’ website and ‘Walk4Life’initiatives.

The council and its partners willcontinue to support the Walking forHealth Scheme including providinginformation and helping to set up newwalking groups.

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PrinciplesClose partnership working is thekey to assisting delivery andachieving the maximum benefitfrom encouraging and promotingwalking.

Actionsn Expand support to

Neighbourhood Partnerships toinclude the suggesteddesignation of volunteermembers of NPs as ‘Street Reps’to report problems with thelocal environment

n Investigate if voluntaryorganisations can play a largerpart in promoting walking, andidentification and maintenanceof walking routes

n Ensure key linkages with otherprogrammes such as lightingand safety measures,particularly through the SaferBristol Partnership, to reducesafety fears.

n Support Active Bristol PhysicalActivity Strategy

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Walking for Health

It is estimated that every £1 spent on a health walk will save the health service£7 on expenditure such as hospital admissions and medication.

Work includes:

n Sensory walks for people living with Dementia and their carers from OlderPeople’s Day Centres, in partnership with The Alzheimer’s Society

n Volunteer Walk Leader training to speakers of other languages in their ownlanguage to develop walking within BMEcommunities. Asian women’s walkunderway

n ‘Buggy walks’ for parents with youngchildren from community venues

n Walks from GP surgeries for patients withspecific health problems.

n Walks led by trained walk leaders withlearning difficulties, for adults with learningdifficulties

n Walking for adults with severe and enduringmental ill health

n Walks for carers and the adults they care forwith mental ill health


Case study

Walking for health and leisure

We want to increase thenumber of people walking forhealth and leisure reasons.

Walking for your own enjoyment orhealth is an excellent way to startbringing walking into your routine.Increasing the amount you walk can behabit forming, making it increasinglylikely that you choose to walk for otherreasons, for example, for commuting orshopping trips.

Planning and new development

We want to ensure that ourplanning and developmentprocess maximisesopportunities to walk

The key principles of planning in relationto maximising pedestrian activity are:

n Improving accessibility in a way thatcontributes to a distinctive andmemorable sense of place

n Reducing the divisive and poorquality nature of existing highwayinfrastructure through new frontagedevelopment, traffic managementand public realm improvements

n Integrating public transportinterchanges and bus stops withpedestrian route networks

n Connecting communities to reducereliance on the car, encourage

walking and cycling and promotehealthy lifestyles through exerciseand recreation in an attractiveenvironment

n Establishing/reinforcing existingGreen Infrastructure for key cyclingwalking and public transport routes.This will provide a green setting moreconducive to health through exercise,cleaner route environments via treestrapping and filtering air-bornepollution and integrating, wherepossible with Sustainable UrbanDrainage Systems

n Reducing the need to travel by carthrough policies as set out in the LocalDevelopment Framework process.

Improving the built environmentfor community cohesionPeople living in walkable, mixed-useneighbourhoods have higher levels of

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Links to wider policies and strategies


4

social capital compared with those livingin car-oriented suburbs. Those living inwalkable neighbourhoods are morelikely to know their neighbours,participate politically, trust others, andbe socially engaged. In the planning anddesign of neighbourhoods open spacesneed to emphasise the importance ofsafe “walkable” green spaces.

Public transport

We want to ensure that publictransport and walkingprovision are well integratedand are each used to increasethe benefits of the other.

Most public transport journeys involvean element of walking, therefore,improving the walking environment willimprove the attractiveness of and accessto public transport services. Equally,providing better public transport linkswill provide more opportunities forpeople to get out and about and willtherefore encourage walking.

Public transport and walkinginfrastructure needs to be wellintegrated and interchanges need to besafe and attractive. The need to take thewhole journey into account is importantwhen considering public transport.

Improving access to public transport isan important element in connectingcommunities with services and reducingsocial exclusion.

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n Bus priority measures (includingbus lanes and intelligent trafficsignals)

n Raised kerbs for easier access

n Quality bus stops and shelters

n Low floor, low emission buses

n Improved timetable and real-timeinformation

n Upgraded traffic signals

n Updated parking controls with highlevels of enforcement, including theuse of CCTV

n Improved facilities for pedestrians,cyclists and car drivers.

Pedestrian facilities

n New pavements along sections of the route

n Improved pedestrian crossings

n Additional pedestrian crossings

n Kerb build-outs to improve safety at junctions.


Greater Bristol Bus Network

There are 10 GBBN corridors due for completion by 2012, eight of which impact on the city of Bristol to greater or lesser extents. GBBN routes aim to reduce traffic congestion and pollution by making bus travel easier and more attractive,while also improving safety and the environment for other road users, localresidents and businesses.

Case study

Walking and Cycling

We want to promote activetravel modes such as walkingand cycling and minimisepotential for conflict betweenroad users.

Walking and cycling are healthy,sustainable, cheap and effective modesof travel. We want to see levels of bothwalking and cycling increasing.

In many cases there is an overlap betweenthe interests of pedestrians and cyclistsand therefore the strategy for encouragingmore of both. But in some cases they havedifferent needs so the careful planning ofcycling and shared use facilities isessential. We want to cater and promoteboth of these active travel modes andmaximise any benefits to pedestriansfrom any new investment in cyclingfacilities.

Education and training to reduceirresponsible cycling is also important ifwe are to benefit from an extendedwalking and cycling network.

The Police and NeighbourhoodPartnerships are working together totake action on illegal cycling.

Department for Transportadvice on shared use pathsAdvice for cyclists:

n Keep to your side of any dividingline (but if in doubt, keep left)

n Give way to pedestrians,wheelchair users and horseriders and acknowledge thosethat give way to you

n Don’t expect to cycle at highspeeds and be prepared to slowdown or stop if necessary

n Take special care at junctions,bends and entrances

n Fix a bell to your bike and use itto warn of your approach.However, remember that somepeople are hard of hearing orvisually impaired so don’tassume they can see or hear you.

Advice for other path users:

n Keep to your side of any dividing line

n Be aware of children learning to cycle, who may swerveunexpectedly

n Take care at junctions, bendsand entrances, especially in wet weather

n Keep dogs under control.

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Walking to school or college

We want to increase thenumber of pupils walking to school or college.

Bristol City Council has a long termstrategy to encourage more pupils towalk, cycle and use public transport ontheir journeys to and from school.Influencing school travel behaviour iscritical to achieving this objective.

The ‘Walk to School’ campaignencourages staff, parents and pupils toinclude regular physical activity in totheir daily lives by walking to and fromschool whenever possible. Walking levelsto school in Bristol have increased from54% to 60% between 2006–2010.

Schools are keen to reduce trafficcongestion around their school, parentswant their children to have healthylifestyles and pupils want to walk toschool with their friends.

School Travel Plans

A School Travel Plan is a workingdocument that outlines a school’s travel,transport and road safety issues. Thedocument contains a list of measuresthat the school will introduce to helpreduce car use, and promote andincrease more active and sustainabletravel such as walking, cycling and theuse of public transport.

School Travel Plans can help schoolsachieve recognition for wider local andnational initiatives, as well as improvingsafety, promoting healthy lifestyles, andincreasing environmental awareness.

Safer routes to school

The council will look at providing SaferRoutes to Schools (SRTS). This couldinclude minor works such as warningsigns and road markings or could includelarger schemes, such as 20mph zones,traffic calming, and pedestrian crossings.

Measures chosen will be based onSchool Travel Plans and will includeconsultation with local residents and thepolice. The school children themselves,through their School Travel Plan, pointout hazards along their journey toschool. These larger schemes can take upto two years to install from start tofinish depending on the type and scaleof measures proposed.

Larger schemes are prioritised throughthe School Travel Plan process. However,budgets for SRTS projects cannot matchdemands. Therefore, the main focus ofthe School Travel Plan Strategy is forschools to help themselves bypromoting “soft” measures such as roadsafety education, cycle training, walkingbuses, park and stride.

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Education

Early road safety education will lay thefoundation for road safety into the teensand adult life. There will also beopportunities to engage with youngadults in order to change attitudes andbehaviours to driving.

The council will provide schools andteachers with approved road safetyresources including lesson plans,powerpoint presentations, educationalfilms, links to web sites, games, quizzesand books aimed at encouraging parentsto teach their children basic road safety.

School crossing patrols

School Crossing Patrols provide a vital service at sites across Bristol byhelping pedestrians on their journey toand from school. Problems with driverscomplying with the patrol aresometimes experienced.

Bath and North East Somerset Councilare trialling the ‘Routesafe’ system of pole-mounted video camerasdesigned to record instances of vehiclesfailing to stop when the patrol is inoperation. The camera technology makesgathering information to support futureprosecutions of drivers who fail to stop ata School Crossing Patrol much easier.

The council will investigate a ‘Routesafe’trial with a view to implementationthroughout the city. It is hoped thatpromotion of such a scheme willencourage safer driver behaviour around School Crossing Patrols, therebymaking the pedestrian environmentmore attractive.

Zigzag enforcement

Parking on the ‘School keep clear’markings causes safety issues forpedestrians. The ‘keep clear’ zones are Indicated by yellow markings outside school entrances that areenforceable during specified hours andare enforced by parking attendants.

Principles

n Ensure that our planning anddevelopment process maximisesthe opportunities to walk

n Ensure public transport andwalking provision are wellintegrated

n Ensure cycling facilities enhancethe pedestrian environment and minimise the potential forconflicts between pedestriansand cyclists.

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Actions

n Improve public transport interchanges, such as Temple Meads Rail Station

n Improve signage to and from bus and rail stations

n Ensure pedestrian environment is enhanced through the implementation ofpublic transport schemes, e.g. Bus Rapid Transit / Showcase Bus Corridors

n Provide education and training to reduce irresponsible cycling and minimisepotential conflict between pedestrians and cyclists.

n Work in partnership with the police to carry out Conditional Cautioning trialfor dangerous cycling and continue if successful

n Ensure ‘shared spaces’ are designed to minimise the potential for conflictsbetween pedestrians and cyclists, and cycling schemes also enhance thepedestrian environment

n Support School Travel Plans – encourage all schools to undertake an annual‘School Travel Health Check’ to highlight potential for improving walk to schoolopportunities. Work towards all Bristol schools implementing School TravelPlans

n Investigate scope of Neighbourhood Partnerships to help bring forward SaferRoutes to School schemes

n Support and develop walking initiatives such as ‘walking buses’, ’Walk toSchool Month’, ‘Walk on Wednesdays’ and ‘Step Up’

n Tackle parking issues around schools through school travel plans, informationand enforcement

n Implement Routesafe trial for School Crossing Patrols

n Investigate enhancements aimed specifically at commuter pedestrian trips

n Support walking initiatives for walking for health or leisure.

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This strategy notes how benefits to thepedestrian environment can be achievedthrough other schemes such as publictransport improvements, and throughpartnership with other organisations.

Value for money

While not the only criteria, value formoney is critically important, not leastbecause of reduced budgets available tolocal authorities. The governmentassesses value for money of schemesthrough their 'WebTag' process in orderto assess viability. Schemes which returnover £2 for every pound invested aredeemed to provide high value for money.The World Health Organisation hasdeveloped a validated tool, the HealthEconomic Assessment Tool (HEAT). Thisis available for evaluation of bothwalking and cycling schemes and iscompatible with WebTag. HEAT can beused for a number of differentsituations, for example:

n when planning a new piece of cyclingor walking infrastructure to help totest the case for investment.

n to value the reduced mortality frompast and/or current levels of cycling

or walking, such as a single route, aswell as across a city. It can also beused to illustrate economicconsequences from a potential futurechange in cycling or walking use.

n to provide input into morecomprehensive economic appraisalexercises, or prospective healthimpact assessments.

On a practical basis, the HEAT quicklygenerate a cost-benefit calculationcompatible with WebTag. This will beapplied to all pedestrian and otherinterventions where changes impact onthe pedestrian environment.http://heatwalkingcycling.org/

Joint Local Transport Plan

The strategy to enhance and encouragewalking does not sit in isolation, it buildson and contributes to the majority of theoverall objectives of the Joint LocalTransport Plan 3. Resources and fundingfor delivering the actions set out in thisdocument therefore cut across manyareas of both transport and widercouncil investment programmes.

Some pedestrian enhancementinitiatives are specific walking schemes

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5. Resources / funding


5

Funding for investment in the pedestrian environment will comefrom a variety of sources. The main funding source for transportschemes is through the Joint Local Transport Plan. Additionalfunding may be available through the new Local SustainableTravel Fund and investment associated with new development.

but others may form part of largerschemes which may contain walkingenhancement elements, in keeping withthe principles set out in this strategy.

Delivery Plan

Investment proposed through the JointLocal Transport Plan is set out in theDelivery Plan. The Delivery Plan is brokendown into a number of packages ofmeasures. Walking measures, bothspecific investment in walking schemesand wider walking improvements aspart of other schemes are a key part ofall investment areas of the Delivery Plan

To support the key goals of the JointLocal Transport Plan the followinginvestment areas will be prioritised(each area supports enhancements tothe walking environment):

Public transport

n Investment in public transport,particularly the larger schemes suchas the ongoing Greater Bristol BusNetwork and proposals for RapidTransit incorporate specific walkingand access enhancements

n Improvements at rail stations such aspedestrian access, cycle parking,access and travel information.

Road safety

n Local safety schemes, many of whichwill be focused on pedestrian safety

n 20mph limits

n Education, Training and Publicity –particularly working with pupilswalking to school

n New crossing facilities –Neighbourhood Partnerships will

have a key role to play in looking atlocal needs and prioritising devolvedfunding to deliver new and betterpedestrian crossings.

Smarter choices

n New and improved pedestrianinfrastructure and training

n School and employer travel plans

n Safer routes to school projects

n Personalised travel information

n Promotion of walking, cycling and public transport.

Network management

Schemes to manage the highwaynetwork through demand management,speed management and congestionreduction measures will contribute toencouraging walking; through anenhanced public realm and urbanenvironment.

Network maintenance

Maintaining the highway includingschemes to maintain and enhancefootways and Public Rights of Way.

Environment and public realm

Many schemes will offer specificbenefits for the walking environment:

n Schemes that support regenerationand development

n Schemes that improve air quality

n Schemes that improve the public realm

n Schemes that support StrategicGreen Infrastructure.

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Overall funding availability

The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) announced by Government inOctober 2010 provided details of overall levels of funding to be made availablefor transport and other investment nationally over the four years of the CSRperiod (2011/12 – 2014/15). Unfortunately this does mean that existingsources of funding will be constrained over this period, and the detailedinvestment programmes for this period are being reviewed in the light of this.

However we will seek to maximise funding available for transport and walkinginvestment from as wide a range of sources as possible, where these canprovide including:

n Department for Transport (DfT) simplified funding streams

n Regional Growth Fund

n Tax Increment Financing

n Council funding (into areas such as maintenance and revenue support)

n Developer contributions; and Community Infrastructure Levy

n The Local Sustainable Transport Fund

n European funds – Bristol is actively involved in European transport projects,focusing mainly on the research and demonstration of new technologiesand ideas. There may be opportunities in the future to bid for furtherEuropean funds to support initiatives to enhance the walking environment.


The Local Sustainable Transport Fund

This national fund is available forauthorities to bid for implementingpackages of measures that supporteconomic growth and reduce carbonemissions as well as delivering cleanerenvironments, improved air quality,enhanced safety and reducedcongestion.

The opportunities that this fund couldprovide are very important in terms ofcontinuing delivery of transportinvestment over the next few years,when core funding is being reduced.£560m will be made available up to2015. Measures to enhance andencourage walking would certainlysupport the objectives of this fundingand strengthen any potential bid for apackage of measures.

Targets and monitoring

In addition to the increase infacilities and initiatives tosupport walking, the outcomeof investment to increasewalking will be monitored byits impact on other key targetsand indicators, in particular:

Former NI1 98 and LI 10: Mode share ofjourneys to school – reductions in carjourneys to school resulting fromincreased walking activity either solelyor with other modes will illustratesuccess meeting this target.

LI 9: Modal shift indicator – using resultsfrom the annual Big Commuter Countsin Bristol and South Gloucestershire willillustrate the shift in single occupancycar commuter journeys to other modesincluding walking.

A related indicator that can show thewider benefit of promoting walkingamongst children is Former NI 56: Obesitylevel in primary school age children in year6. This will be used as a supportingindicator. Road accident casualties will beinvestigated particularly for monitoringthe trends of pedestrian casualties.

Former NI 186: per capita reduction inCO2 emissions – this indicator relies onnationally produced statistics to measureend user CO2 in the local area from theindustry and commercial sector, domestichousing and road transport. A reductionin short motorised trips would contributetowards a reduction in emissionsassociated with road transport.

A further related indicator, Former NI177 Bus patronage, will be used as asupporting indicator, as walking is a keyelement of these public transport trips,and increasing bus use particularly is agood indicator of general increasinglevels of walking and activity.

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Monitoring and review


6

Information on the state of thepedestrian infrastructure will bemonitored by the annual Ipsos MoriHighways and Transport study.

The Joint Local Transport Plan 3 proposesto reduce CO2 emissions from roadtransport with a detailed target still to beset. Enhancing the walking environmentas part of broader active travel promotionand promoting alternatives to the privatecar will contribute towards this.

Quality of Life survey

Each year a survey called ‘Quality of Lifein Your Neighbourhood’ is carried out.Bristol residents are asked to helpmonitor the Quality of Life in Bristol. Theinformation gathered is analysed in avariety of ways and helps the councilmake policy decisions and also helps ourpartners such as the Bristol NHS, SaferBristol Partnership and even localcommunity groups. Enhancements tothe walking environment will impact on

residents’ overall quality of life. Issuescovered by the survey include: crime andantisocial behaviour; litter; effects oftraffic; satisfaction withneighbourhoods and the appearance ofstreets, and; dog fouling on the streets.

Data Collection

Data collection on current and futurelevels of walking is critically important inorder to evaluate effectiveness ofschemes which promote and supportwalking. Surveys of pedestrian numbersare important to feed into the HEAT toolto assess the cost-effectiveness ofschemes, as well as to be able track long-term trends.

Review

The overall delivery plan of the JLTP willbe reviewed annually. This will feed intoassociated sub-strategies, such as theWalking Strategy.

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Action plan summary

PROPOSED Action Short Term Medium Term Longer Term(To March 2012) (To March 2014) (No Date Specified)

Current Funding Current funding If enhanced Larger, aspirational Levels Levels funding available schemes dependent on

(e.g. LSTF1) additional funding

2. Improving and Enhancing the Walking Network

1. Identify a network Identify network Update mapof key walking and produce routes and produce network mapa network map

2. Carry out an audit Carry out audit Re-audit and of walking and produce update mapinfrastructure and mapmap as a GIS layer

3. Develop design Develop and standards for publish designwalking routes standards

4. Identify 5 showcase Identify 5 Undertake audits Further Consideration to bewalking routes linking showcase of routes to improvements given to Showcasekey destinations with walking routes establish to identified Walking Routes if the aim of delivering enhancements routes additional funding a higher quality and required and becomes availablesafer pedestrian make small scale e.g.through new environment, e.g. improvements, development – improved signage, e.g. signage, improvements could lighting, design de-clutter, etc. include improved standards, etc. connections, crossings,

etc.

5. Undertake citywide Undertake first Complete auditsignage audit and phase of signage and undertakeidentify areas for audit and identifiedimproved signage identify areas improvementsinformed by for improvementpedestrian network map and showcase walking routes.

6. Implement the Implement Update andRights of Way current RoWIP review RoWIPImprovement Plan www.jlaf.org.uk/rowip

1 Local Sustainable Transport Fund – additional government funding for small local transport schemes up to 2015


Appendix 1

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7. Investigate Investigate •Potential new bridge opportunities for opportunities crossing over the new river crossing for new river Floating Harbour,points crossing points linking Kings St with

through new Redcliffe Street development (dependent on proposals developer funding)

• Potential for new bridge crossing the Floating Harbour by Castle Park (dependent on developer funding)

8. Investigate Continue to Longer-term potential opportunities for consider for large-scale redevelopment of potential redevelopment of large roundabouts opportunities for these sites through with underpasses these large scale development which some redevelopments opportunitiespedestrians can find that can enhancethreatening/unsafe the pedestrian (e.g. ‘The Bear Pit’ environmentSt James Barton roundabout)

9. Investigate options Investigate Implement for improving the options map-based council’s reporting interactive procedures for internet defects or problems reporting with pedestrian facilitiesinfrastructure.

10. Publish service Publish service standards for standardspedestrian infrastructure maintenance.

11. Publish information Publish gritting of Review and on which pedestrian pedestrian areas update areas should be information pedestrian gritted during icy gritting areas in weather conditions. light of Key areas along Showcase showcase walking Walking Routesroutes, and gateways and potential to them to be public feedbackconsidered for gritting once routes have been defined.


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12. Promote good Continue to Identify new sites practice to residents promote good for potential new for wheelie and practice and Communal Bins torecycling bin continue with reduce thestorage within current number of property boundaries enforcement personal bins – to keep pavements action (bin extend the clear. Develop a notices, letters, Communal Bin staged approach to removal of bins) Pilot Projectenforcement to initially promote other options for residents who find it difficult to store bins within their property boundary (e.g. smaller bins, bin bags, community bin pilot), with enforcement action being taken against repeat offenders.

13. Develop an approach Develop If it is considered If it is considered to reduce footway preferred that footway that footway parking – establish if approach parking should be parking should the approach should prohibited in any be prohibited in be differential areas, begin pilot any areas, and depending on local projects to address depending on circumstances, or a pavement parking results of single citywide in certain areas potential pilotedapproach. and implant projects,

relevant powers to implement do so (most likely further pilotsto be Traffic Regulation Orders) and accompanying signage, etc.

14. Develop a policy Implement for improved A Boards management and Guidelines / control of temporary Policy and street signage such enforceas A-boards.






15. Develop and Update public • Consult further Endeavour to promote public toilets leaflet with private provide facilitiesaccess to the full ‘Public building owners so that nowhere range of toilet Conveniences in with the aim of along thefacilities including Bristol’ showing increasing the identified public toilets, toilets available toilets number of Showcase in participating including those private buildings Walking Routes private buildings in participating open to the is more than 500e.g. supermarkets, private buildings public. meters from and council and publish on • Endeavour to toilet facilities buildings. web site provide facilities that are available

so that nowhere to the public within the central during the dayarea of Bristol is more than 300 meters from toilet facilities that are available to the public during the day• Develop and promote branding to identify toilets available to the general public.

16. Roll out 20mph Investigate Roll out 20mph Roll out 20mph zones pilot areas expansion of zones pilots zones city-widecity-wide across 20mph zones areas to cover residential streets and commence more of the city (signs only) city-wide project (coverage

(coverage dependent on dependent on funding funding availability)availability)

17. Utilise WHO HEAT for Begin using HEAT Roll out HEAT to all all schemes schemes impacting impacting on on pedestrians pedestrians in order (excluding minor to assess the cost- traffic benefit of the schemes management in terms of promoting schemes)walking. To be embedded as tool used by officers assessing schemes proposed and implemented.

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3. Promotions and Partnerships

18. Expand support to Suggest Neighbourhood volunteer Partnerships to ‘Street Reps’include the suggested designation of volunteer members of NPs as ‘Street Reps’ to report problems with the local environment

19. Ensure key linkages • Initiate with other discussion paper programmes such on crime and as lighting and safety issues and safety measures, their impact on particularly through the walking the Safer Bristol environment, for Partnership, to consideration reduce safety fears: between Bristol

City Council and Safer Bristol Partnership.• Crime and safety issues and their impact on walking to be offered for discussion at all Neighbourhood Partnerships / Forums to highlight specific local issues.

20. Support Active Bristol Implement the Support the Physical Activity 'Active Travel and commissioned Strategy Urban initiatives to

Environment' promote physical action plan activity

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4. Links to Wider Policies and Strategies

21. Improve public • Potential New Bus Rapid Major improvements to transport pedestrian Transit services, pedestrian access and interchanges, such enhancement subject to public transport as Temple Meads opportunities successful Major interchange facilities at Rail Station to be a key Scheme Bid, to Temple Meads

consideration improve public of new transport development interchange at proposals Temple Meads(e.g. access enhancements to Temple Meads through any adjacent development)• Potential pedestrian enhancement opportunities to be a key consideration in the emerging entral Area Action Plan

22. Improve signage to Specific public ‘Gateways’ to and from bus and transport signage ‘Showcase rail stations: priorities Walking Routes’ to

identified as part be clearly signedof citywide from key publicsignage audit transport

interchanges in the vicinity of routes (dependent on designation of Showcase Walking Routes).

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23. Ensure pedestrian • Increase the Enhanced environment is number of pedestrian enhanced through pedestrian environment the implementation crossing through theof public transport opportunities implementation schemes, e.g. along showcase of Bus Rapid Bus Rapid Transit / bus routes. Transit scheme, Showcase Bus • Commitment to subject to Corridors: undertake audit successful major

of signage in scheme bidassociation with new public transport schemes to identify opportunities for improved signage linking key pedestrian routes to new public transport schemes.

24. Provide education Support Adult Expand Adult and training to Cycle Training Cycle Trainingreduce irresponsible cycling and minimise potential conflict between pedestrians and cyclists.

25. Work in partnership Work in with the police to partnership with carry out Conditional Police on Cautioning trial for Conditional dangerous cycling Cautioning for and continue if dangerous successful. cycling

26. Ensure ‘shared All new shared Principles to be spaces’ are designed space schemes to published more to minimise the be considered clearly in a new potential for conflicts by the council’s design guide between pedestrians City Transport containing and cyclists, and Development highway layout cycling schemes Management requirementsalso enhance the colleagues who pedestrian will ensure theenvironment needs of all users

are considered

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27. Support School • Continue to Achieve 100% of Travel Plans support School Bristol schools

Travel Plans implementation • Encourage all of a School Travel schools to Plan (dependent undertake an on School annual ‘School support)Travel Health Check’ to highlight potential for improving walk to school opportunities.

28. Investigate scope Offer discussion of Neighbourhood of Safer Routes Partnerships to help to School bring forward Safer issues at Routes to School Neighbourhood schemes Partnership

meetings

29. Support and develop Continue to walking initiatives support and such as ‘walking develop school buses’, ’Walk to travel walking School Month’, initiatives‘Walk on Wednesdays’ and ‘Step Up’ – Action needed

30. Tackle parking issues Continue to look Approach to around schools at parking issues pavement parkingthrough school through school to consider travel plans, travel plans, etc. specific issues information and of parking aroundenforcement – schoolsaction needed

31. Implement Implement trialRoutesafe trial for School Crossing Patrols

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32. Investigate Consider specific Appropriate enhancements commuter walking indicator aimed specifically pedestrian needs to be defined at commuter (potential links through pedestrian trips to Showcase development of

Walking Routes) Joint Local Transport Plan 3

33. Support walking • Support Expand support initiatives for walking to walking walking for health initiatives for initiatives for or leisure walking for walking for

health or leisure health or leisure (e.g. ‘Walkingfor Health

Bristol’)

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Encouraging walking

There are many measures that canencourage and promote walking. Box 2below lists key issues including thoseraised through stakeholder meetings

Trends and statistics

National trends

The National Travel Survey 2008reported that between 1995/97 and2008, average walking trips per personfell 24% from 292 to 221 per year. In thesame period, the average annualdistance walked also fell by 4% to 193miles per year.

Local trends

Data collected through the schoolcensus shows that levels of walking toschool are increasing. Walking to schoolhas increased from 54% to 60% duringthe period 2006/7 to 2010/11.

The Bristol Quality of Life survey showsthat levels of walking to work in Bristolhave remained at around 17% for theperiod from 2005 – 2008.

Policy context

Walking is included in many nationaland local policy initiatives, to further notjust transport objectives but also widerhealth, equality and quality of lifeobjectives.

Key national and local policies, whichguide this walking strategy, are set out below.

National

n Delivering a Sustainable TransportSystem, DfT, 2008

n Active Travel Strategy, DfT, 2010

n Low Carbon Transport: A GreenerFuture, DfT, 2009

n Delivering sustainable, low carbon,travel: An essential guide for LocalAuthorities, DfT, 2009

n Smarter choices – changing the waywe travel, DfT, 2004

n Making smarter choices work, DfT, 2007

n Manual for Streets, DfT, 2007.

Local

n 20:20 Plan – Bristol’s Sustainable CityStrategy, Bristol Partnership, 2010

n Corporate Plan 2008–2011

n Joint Local Transport Plan 2 2006–2011 (and emerging JLTP32011-2026)

n Bristol Development Framework

n Environmental Access Standards2006

n Emerging Movement and AccessStrategy.

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Further information


Appendix 2

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Ways to encourage walking

Measures include:

n Better maintenance of facilities and furniture including: bins, toilets,seating and signage

n Good footway condition / quality including: width, gradient, maintenance and drainage

n Removal of obstructions including: street/path clutter (e.g. signage,advertising, equipment, vegetation, stiles and fences in the countryside)and parked cars, including pavement parking

n Better safety / security provisions including: adequate lighting, CCTV, etc.

n Cleanliness including: regular street cleaning, graffiti removal, vandalismrepairs and protection

n Slower motor traffic speed, reduced severance and noise and improved air quality

n Pedestrian priority at junctions

n Land use policies providing for direct access between walking destinations(e.g. residences, employment, leisure and service areas) including: divertingroutes, and private spaces

n Installing new footways

n Provision of specific walking policy documentation, and monitoring /reporting successes, planned and required improvements.

n Improving and changing general perceptions including the perception thatwalking is less effective or time efficient than other modes such as car,public transport or cycling

n Improving crime and disorder hotspots, and socially deprived or excludedareas – make areas safer and more inviting

n Promoting a positive image of walking through the media

n Better understanding or knowledge of existing route network, information,support provided and policy / marketing of existing and future works.

n Projects to get particular groups walking more e.g. Walking for Health andother initiatives including the Ramblers "Get Walking, Keep Walking"

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