We want to improve the opportunities to travel on foot or by cycle around the Bay.

The adoption of Torbay’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) is a crucial step for Torbay in achieving our vision for Torbay to be a place that thrives. It is the first walking and cycling plan for Torbay which specifically addresses the active travel network as a whole. It helps prioritise investment and resources, based on local evidence and best practice, and give the confidence to deliver bold, exciting changes to support the delivery of schemes that do more than simply ‘tinker at the edges’ when it comes to meaningful improvements.

What is a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan?

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) are a strategic approach to identifying cycling and walking improvements required at a local level. They enable a long-term approach to developing networks and routes and form a vital part of the Government’s strategy to increase the number of trips made on foot or by cycle.

LCWIPs are intended to:

• Plan for cycling and walking using evidence and data on existing and future potential demand;
• Target investment where it can have the greatest impact
• Identify cycling and walking infrastructure improvements in readiness for funding bids; and
• Plan cycling and walking networks that meet core design outcomes, meeting the needs of users.

How and on what basis has the plan been produced so far?

The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan has been created in conjunction with a specialist transport planning consultant team and our officers drawn from a variety of departments and with various expertise including highway engineering, transport planning and public health. For Torbay, this process and the resulting outputs will represent an evidence-based approach to focus future investment over the next 10 to 20 years where the most benefits can be realised.

The government has published guidance on the preparation of LCWIPs, setting out the following six-stage process:

1. Determine the scope – establish the geographical context and arrangements for governing and preparing the plan.
2. Gathering information – identify existing walking and cycling patterns and potential new journeys. Review existing conditions and identify barriers to walking and cycling. Review related transport and land use policies and programmes.
3. Network planning for cycling – identify origin and destination points and cycle flows. Convert flows into a network of routes and determine the improvements required.
4. Network planning for walking – identify key trip generators, core walking zones and routes, audit existing provisions and determine the improvements required.
5. Prioritising improvements – prioritise improvements to develop a phased programme for future investment.
6. Integration and application – integrate outputs into local planning and transport

A detailed evidence based and reasoning for the proposals is presented within the LCWIP. The plan has been produced on the basis of the evidence and has also benefited from early engagement with elements of the community during its preparation as well as a full public engagement exercise carried out during February to March 2021. Existing community plans (such as Neighbourhood Plans) and other plans (e.g. town centre masterplans) have been part of the evidence based used to create the plan.

The benefit of having a plan like this

Torbay has a world-class tourism offer, with a fantastic marine setting and internationally important environmental assets, recognised by its UNESCO Global Geopark status. Situated in the South West of England, it is home to strong small businesses, one of the nation’s leading fishing ports at Brixham, and an increasingly skilled workforce. However, Torbay faces challenges including health and income deprivation, an ageing population, and responding to the climate crisis. As with other coastal and retail centres, Torbay’s town centres are in decline with falling footfall and spend.

Investment in cycling and walking schemes can help address these challenges: supporting improved public health through active travel; providing access to centres of employment, learning and skills training; cutting carbon emissions; and, helping bring about a green recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. It can deliver public realm improvements, further enhancing the outstanding built and natural environment of Torbay and contributing to the wider tourism offer. With significant national funding available and reviews of the Torbay Local Plan and other policies in progress, this is an opportune moment to bring forward and integrate cycling and walking improvements within broader policy. 

Next steps

Adopting the new LCWIP is a key step towards a better active travel network in Torbay. Now, the focus and attention is towards turning the plans into reality, which means working up elements of the LCWIP in greater detail, securing further funding for schemes and subsequently their delivery. The Council firmly believes that this should be done with community engagement at the centre of the approach.

Updates will appear on this webpage regarding opportunities to get involved.

Do also join our Torbay Active Travel Infrastructure Network contact list, so that we can e-mail you directly to keep you updated.

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Torbay Local Cycling And Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)
How the LCWIP has been developed and sets out a prioritised programme for its delivery.