Cycling and Walking Strategy (CaWS) and action plans
The Cycling and Walking Strategy (CaWS) was approved by the Cabinet in July 2021, and for Leicestershire it will help us to support people across the county to make more sustainable travel choices.
We have a vision for Leicestershire to become a county where walking and cycling are safe, accessible and obvious choices for short journeys and a natural part of longer journeys. We want to help deliver healthier, greener communities by reducing congestion, and improving air quality, health and wellbeing. The CaWS and its Action Plan set out the practical actions that are being taken to help deliver the strategy.
Active Travel England (ATE), a government agency and funding and inspectorate body for active travel, was established in 2022. Although the CaWS was developed before the establishment of ATE, the Strategy and its actions align with ATE’s goals, as per the Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3).
As part of the continuing development of our Local Transport Plan, a review of the CaWS is due to begin in early 2027. This will ensure that the latest CWIS3 and ATE guidance and targets for active travel are taken into consideration as part of development of an updated active travel strategy.
Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs)
A key action set out in the Cycling and Walking Strategy is to develop LCWIPs for areas in Leicestershire. Our LCWIP’s set out the vision and priorities for cycling and walking improvements in specific areas, to create convenient and practical cycling and walking networks that help and encourage people to travel more sustainably.
View our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs).
Find more information about cycling and walking in Leicestershire.
Rights of Way
Leicestershire County Council is responsible for over 1,915 miles (3,084 km) of public rights of way, including paths in both the countryside and urban areas. They are important for leisure, travelling to work or school, as well as peoples’ health and wellbeing. The wonderful and diverse public rights of way are part of what makes Leicestershire a special place to live, work and thrive.
Every council that is responsible for public rights of way is required to have a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP). The RoWIP sets out how the network of rights of way will continue to be managed and improved in Leicestershire.