Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)

Active travel means getting around using your own power like walking, wheeling, or cycling. It includes everyday journeys such as going to school, work, the shops or to see friends. Active travel helps people stay healthy, reduces pollution, and makes our streets safer and more pleasant.

Wheeling is considered alongside walking but specifically includes people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters to get around. Where the plan refers to walking or pedestrians, we will also consider the needs of those who rely on wheeling.

LCWIP stands for Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan. It’s a long-term plan to improve walking, wheeling, and cycling across Sefton. The goal is to make it easier, safer, and more enjoyable for people to travel in these ways, especially for shorter journeys.

The plan will help us get essential funding from the Government to make improvements to paths, roads and crossings. The plan will support healthier choices in how we travel and improve road safety.

• Build safe and welcoming walking, wheeling and cycling routes for everyone,
• Help more children and young people walk or cycle to school,
• Remove barriers (such as gates) so routes are accessible to all ages and abilities,
• Support Sefton’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030,
• Choose routes that are the highest priority and plan how to deliver them.

The plan sets out ideas for new or improved active travel connections between neighbourhoods, schools, town centres, and public transport facilities. It also includes supporting measures like better crossings, bike parking, and signage.

The plan followed policy guidance provided by the Department for Transport. It used Census data, local maps, and community feedback to identify the proposed routes. The process included identifying the highest priority routes, which can help focus investment when funding is available.

This is a draft plan, that will help us prioritise the areas that would benefit most from investing in active travel. The routes are not commitments with detailed designs. They represent aspirations that have been developed.

We are now asking for your views. This is a key part of the process and help make sure the plan meets the needs of as many people as possible. Your feedback will help us decide what should be developed in more detail later.

The plan is for everyone, not just frequent cyclists. It’s about:

• People walking to school, work or local businesses,
• Wheelchair and mobility scooter users,
• Parents pushing prams,
• People who might cycle if routes felt safer,
• People who are visually impaired or vulnerable.

We want to make sure the plan supports all types of active travel.

There are no detailed plans for any routes so far. This is because the plan is a strategic document that outlines the vision, goals, and priorities for cycling and walking infrastructure in Sefton over a long-term period (usually 10 years). This plan does not include designs for specific routes. Instead it shows our goals and aspirations for future planning to help make local walking and cycling safer. When funding becomes available, the routes will be developed and there will be more opportunities to have your say about them.

We know that not everyone can or wants to walk or cycle. Some prefer to use public transport. There are separate plans to improve public transport being developed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (Merseytravel). When transport schemes are being developed for bus or rail, we will work closely with Merseytravel to make sure there are safe walking and cycling routes to bus stops and rail stations.

The funding we receive to prepare the LCWIP is external government funding that is dedicated to active travel. This means it cannot be spent on pothole repairs or general maintenance. Pothole repairs are funded separately and are part of our annual road maintenance programme.

The LCWIP is not a funded programme. It helps Sefton Council bid for active travel funds from government and other sources in the future. Having a clear plan in place improves our chances of getting that funding.

The routes in the plan will take several years to put in place depending on the timing and amount of Government funding allocated to the Liverpool City Region. When funding becomes available, it will be focussed on the priority areas shown in the plan. The plan will also be used to guide expectations with developers and development site promoters.

Yes, Sefton’s LCWIP is part of wider regional and national plans to promote active travel. It is also linked to the wider travel plans in the Liverpool City Region, such as bus and rail. It also supports goals set out in Sefton’s climate and transport strategies to improve air quality and road safety near schools, and safety in our communities.

You can take part by completing our online survey at https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/investment-programmes-andinfrastructure/sefton-lcwip 

After this consultation:

1. We will review all feedback and update the plan.
2. The final plan will help guide future investment in walking and cycling routes.
3. Improvements will be delivered in phases, when funding becomes available.

Creating a complete network may take several years, but your input now helps set the direction we want to go in.

You can email the project team at transport.planning@sefton.gov.uk