Examine National and Local Government Policies on Transport and The Environment

The Government wants to improve accessibility in order to ensure everyone can get to work, schools, healthcare, food shops and other key services. Accessibility planning guidance sets out how the accessibility problems faced by people from disadvantaged groups and areas can be identified and addressed through Local Transport Plans and local authorities’ other functions, and through working with local partners.

The Government is dedicated to increasing levels of cycling as well as walking as these help against congestion, reducing local air pollution and improving health. Improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, mobility impaired people and wheelchair users to encourage and promote walking and cycling, focussing on the needs of those travelling to work, college, school, shops or other amenities and to help reduce car dependency are all aims and objectives of which this local policy is supposed to achieve. Encouraging walking and cycling can also help to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, improve road safety, reduce danger, increase independence and improve personal health.

Canterbury set out plans for a network of cycle routes throughout the district and other measures to encourage more journeys to be made by bike. This had led to the creation of approximately 66km of new and signed cycle ways in Canterbury district since 1994 at a cost of just over £1 million

There is also a variety of traffic calming schemes which have been placed and these are:

Forty Acres Road, Canterbury – will provide benefits to school children and pedestrians living in this large residential area.

A290 St Thomas’ Hill, Canterbury – will provide benefits to school children and pedestrians living in this large residential area.

Monastery Street, Canterbury – will benefit local school children and students at Christchurch College and Kings School

Spring Lane/Barton Estate, Canterbury – will benefit local school children and students at the Pilgrims Way CP School, Barton Court Grammar School Chaucer Technology College and Hadlow College.

These schemes will help to reduce vehicle speeds and save crashes as well as providing better pedestrian links and a more pleasant environment.