SOMERSET County Council has published major new plans for safe cycling and walking routes in Wellington to help create greener, healthier and more active streets.

The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) for Wellington have been published, alongside those for Chard, Burnham and Highbridge.

The council has already created and published plans for Yeovil, Taunton, Bridgwater and Frome.

The LCWIPs are focused, ten-year plans for developing a cycle, wheeling - a term used to refer to journeys made by wheelchair and mobility scooter users - and walking network within each local area.

The aim is to secure funding over the next decade for significant new safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians across all Somerset’s towns.

Many walking journeys, and more limited levels of cycling, currently take place in and around Wellington.

According to Somerset Council: “18 per cent of Wellington’s residents who commuted to a usual workplace, usually walked to work, whilst 4% typically commuted by bicycle.

“73% of children attending Wellington state schools walked to school and 4 per cent cycled.”

The council deem there to be potential for “up to 36 per cent of journeys to work by Wellington residents to be walked or cycled; and up to 83 per cent of Wellington schoolchildren to walk or cycle to school.”

In Wellington’s LCWIPs, the council also reaffirm the key opportunity that a reopened railway station would provide for the town.

The evolving plans will continue to develop over time, with the views and suggestions from the public central to the process.

Expanding the active travel network is an essential part of Somerset Council’s strategy for developing sustainable transport. The Council has worked closely with Local Community Networks, cycling charities and local cycling groups to develop the plans.

Members of the public are able to access and comment on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans here: Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans.