Policy TRAN4 - Creating Coherent Networks for Cycling and Walking
Support
Black Country Core Strategy Issue and Option Report
Representation ID: 1176
Received: 08/09/2017
Respondent: Canal & River Trust
The canal network can play an important role in providing safe, pleasant, traffic free off-road walking and cycling routes right into the centre of many of the Black Country's most developed centres.
Significant work has been done to improve canal towpaths across the area, but there are further opportunities to make more improvements and promote this network to local communities and visitors. The review should acknowledge the role of the canals and highlight the potential of this existing network.
The Canal & River Trust generally seeks to maintain its assets in a "steady state", and in the case of towpath maintenance, this is based on current usage. Where new development has the likelihood to increase usage we consider that it is reasonable to request a financial contribution from developers to mitigate this impact by, for example upgrading an access / towpath surface to a standard which is more durable and thus able to accommodate increased usage. The Trust will continue to work with the Local Authorities to identify design requirements and sources of funding to support a coherent network for walking and cycling.
Re: Black Country Core Strategy Review
Thank you for your consultation on the above document.
The Canal & River Trust (the Trust) is the guardian of 2,000 miles of historic waterways across England and Wales. We are among the largest charities in the UK. Our vision is that "living waterways transform places and enrich lives".
Following consideration of the document we have the following comments to make:
The waterways can be used as tools in place making and place shaping, and contribute to the creation of sustainable communities. We seek for any development to relate appropriately to the waterway, minimise the ecological impacts and optimise the benefits such a location can generate for all parts of the community.
The waterways span several local authority boundaries and it is therefore important to ensure that there is a clear and consistent approach to development. There is a recognised need to strengthen existing planning policy at all the different spatial levels in order to provide robust planning policy frameworks that supports canals, rivers and docks as a cross-cutting policy theme; acknowledging the value of canals, rivers and docks/wharves, in terms of
* being a form of strategic and local infrastructure performing multiple functions (including sustainable transport, open space and green infrastructure, land drainage and water supply as well as flood alleviation), which is likely to be affected by all scales and types of development;
* their roles in improving the physical environment, opportunities for people and the wider economy;
* their contribution to supporting climate change, carbon reduction and environmental sustainability;
* * the public benefits that can be and are being generated by our canals, rivers and docks/wharves;
* * support future development, regeneration and improvement of canals, rivers and docks/wharves;
* * protect the heritage, environmental and recreational value of canals, rivers and docks and to safeguard them against inappropriate development;
* * support their ability to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to local communities and the nation, (currently valued at in excess of £500 million per annum);
* * secure the long-term sustainability of inland waterway network, their corridors and adjoining communities; and
* * their contribution to promoting Health and Wellbeing
The Core Strategy is therefore a key document in setting the overarching planning and regeneration policies across the area and ensuring a co-ordinated approach to the waterways across the Black Country.
The Trust therefore welcome continued support and recognition for the waterways but consider opportunities exist to strengthen Policies and further highlight the importance of the canal network to the Black Country
INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS for EACH REP