Walking and Public Realm Policy - Worcestershire County Council

2.1.1 The Worcestershire Walking & Public Realm Policy has a central role to play in the delivery of the
LTP3 objectives as identified in Table 1.1. This policy considers the strategic application of Walking
& Public Realm measures in Worcestershire.
2.2.1 Worcestershire has made significant progress towards encouraging walking, through infrastructure
enhancements and improved information. As part of the Worcester 'Choose how you move'
project and wider LTP2 activities, Worcestershire County Council has developed a range of
walking maps for the majority of Worcestershire's urban areas, and has installed a number of
directional signs, which indicate both walk times and distances to key trip attractors.
2.2.2 Many of the infrastructure improvements to the walking network have been delivered as part of a
partnership approach with the Worcestershire Borough, City and District Councils and user
groups. This approach works well and delivers best value.
Worcestershire County Council will work in partnership with key partners, including the
Worcestershire Borough, City and District Councils, private sector partners and those
representing disability groups, to create and maintain a walking network and wider public
realm which:
caters for all groups of people, including less mobile pedestrians, those with sight or
hearing impairments and who use mobility scooters or wheelchairs;
is free from obstructions, including parked vehicles, and minimises barriers to access;
is permeable and legible, with appropriate levels of signage where necessary;
is clean, attractive and comfortable;
is safe to use;
maximises directness, minimises unnecessary deviation or delay and pays regard to
pedestrians’ desire lines; and
is where possible includes routes which are shorter or quicker than the equivalent
journeys by car.
Particular attention will be paid to the quality of routes to key destinations, such as schools,
colleges, employment sites, town centres, public transport interchanges and healthcare
facilities and addressing accident cluster sites.
Parts of the walking network, particularly in urban areas, will be reviewed in line with best
practice guidelines when funding permits to ensure the network meets users' needs.