Council’s blueprint for a more walkable Newcastle over the next decade is gathering further momentum.
It comes after councillors united to adopt the Walking and Mobility Plan during the week, paving the way to implement a shared vision for enhanced pedestrian safety, accessibility and convenience across the city.
The policy, which aligns with the main objectives of the Newcastle 2040 Community Strategic Plan, also includes a framework for determining how projects will be identified, prioritised and scheduled by 2034.
Already, almost $2 million has been allocated this financial year to footpath works, including Freyberg Street in New Lambton and Waratah’s Traise Street.
“Some new ventures will update and expand existing pathways, while others will provide missing links and new crossing infrastructure,” City of Newcastle’s (CN) executive manager transport and regulation Ryan Tranter said.
“It’s all about taking a systematic, data-driven approach to make sure we are focusing our resourcing in the most beneficial areas for the community.”
Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said the adoption of the 10-year plan reaffirmed a commitment to building and supporting walkable neighbourhoods.
“Walking provides wide-ranging social, environmental and health benefits,” he explained.
“So, this plan ensures we’re taking the right steps so they can be enjoyed across the community.
“One of the first unanimous resolutions of this elected council was to commit to delivering at least 20 kilometres of new footpaths over this term, because we know that having the right pedestrian infrastructure is vital to realising our vision of a more walkable Newcastle.”
Twenty-four key actions will guide the delivery of the plan, focussed around promoting the safety and prioritisation of pedestrians, building and maintaining walkable neighbourhoods, supporting walking trips and destinations, and fostering and celebrating walking in local communities.
Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk said that when CN refers to walking, it includes all pedestrian movements, including mobility scooters, wheelchairs and prams.
“The adoption of the Walking and Mobility Plan will ensure people of all ages, abilities and mobilities feel safe within the public road space,” the chair of the Access Inclusion Standing Committee added.
“Social equity and inclusivity are at the heart of this plan, because we want to make sure the benefits of walking can be enjoyed by everyone.
“Including accessibility and socio-demographic factors such as age and disability as essential considerations when prioritising new pedestrian infrastructure projects is important to ensure that what we deliver is accessible and safe for the whole community.”
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