Thurrock Council – Active Travel Strategy – KKP

This active travel commission followed successful delivery of a suite of related assignments under the umbrella of an Active Places Strategy. The Active Places Strategy included an open space assessment and standards paper (including play provision), playing pitch and outdoor sports assessment and strategy and an indoor sport facilities strategy. In addition, it also incorporated related feasibility evaluations for several new/replacement facilities.

Together the strategies provide a series of recommendations and actions to the future need and direction required for future provision – based on the findings of the research, consultation, site assessments, data analysis and extensive and highly detailed GIS mapping that underpinned the assessments. They help set an approach to securing facilities through new housing development whilst forming the basis for negotiation with developers for contributions towards the provision of appropriate facilities and their long-term maintenance.

Implementation of the recommendations of the active travel strategy will mean that more adults and young people in Thurrock make journeys to work, to school, to the shops and on social occasions in physically active ways; walking, wheeling (using a wheelchair or mobility aid), cycling, skating (in-line or skateboarding) or scootering. The routes via which they are able to do this will be better planned, of improved quality, supported by clear and easily understood signage and interlinked so that whether the purpose is professional or recreational it is progressively easier to take the active option.