Council Launches Active Travel Consultation with Sustrans to Improve Cycling and Walking within the District

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has launched an online public consultation to find out residents’ views on Active Travel in the district. The Council recognises the need to move to more sustainable low carbon transport, which includes making improvements to cycling and walking infrastructure within the district area.

The latest Travel Survey for Northern Ireland from the Department for Infrastructure reveals that just 1% of all journeys are by cycle and 18% by walking but the car is still the dominant mode of transport and represents 71% of all journeys in Northern Ireland. It is therefore timely that the Council, working in partnership with walking and cycling charity Sustrans, is developing a 10-year Active Travel Masterplan. This will identify projects that enable walking and cycling, including new routes and facilities and upgrades to existing infrastructure.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Laura Devlin said, “We are continually looking to improve our infrastructure to make walking and cycling easier, and therefore encourage more people to do so around the council area. I would encourage residents to complete the online survey and share their views which will help shape the future of active travel in the district.”

The consultation responses will be used to inform and shape the Active Travel Masterplan on what the Council can do to make it easier for residents to travel more actively for work, education, leisure and everyday journeys which can help tackle Climate Change. 

Caroline Bloomfield, Sustrans Director for Northern Ireland said, “The pandemic has also highlighted the importance residents now place on the great outdoors and staying active. We want to hear from you. What would help you walk, wheel and cycle more, and what interventions would you like to see in your local area? We are really pleased to be working with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. It is such a beautiful part of Northern Ireland we are sure more people would travel actively if they had safe and pleasant routes.”

The public consultation period for the Active Travel Masterplan will run for a period of four weeks from Monday 15 February to Monday 15 March 2021. For further information and to complete the questionnaire please visit: www.newrymournedown.org/consultations-residents.