OSWESTRY residents are being asked to share their thoughts about a proposed network of new and upgraded walking and cycling routes in the town.

From today, Tuesday May 2, until Friday, June 16, a six-week consultation will take place on Shropshire’s draft Cycling and Walking Plan – including new cycle lanes, footpaths, crossings and bridges.

The cycling and walking plan, also referred to as the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) sets out a 10-year strategy for delivering new or improved infrastructure for walking and cycling in Shropshire – to encourage more people to choose active modes of travel wherever possible.

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Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said: “The aim of this new plan is to deliver a fantastic network of cycling and walking routes and measures across Shropshire, with a focus on the seven key market towns.

“We really do need people to share their views and tell us what they think about our draft plan and there are lots of opportunities for people to get involved.

“Public feedback, particularly about the proposed routes and suggestions for each area, will help ensure that our proposals reflect what local communities want and need, so we really do need people to tell us what they think.”

The plan focuses on seven key market towns – Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Bridgnorth, Market Drayton, Church Stretton, Ludlow and Whitchurch.

These areas have the largest numbers of people and therefore offer the greatest opportunity to increase levels of cycling and walking.

A list of proposals has been drawn up for each town, with schemes ranked in order of priority based on their effectiveness and deliverability.

For Oswestry the ‘top scoring’ scheme includes: a cycle link along Gobowen Road in Oswestry town centre (upgrading existing shared path); cycle route along Oak Street, York Street, Liverpool Road, Old Fort Road, Wat's Drive and Coppice Drive linking the town centre and employment zone and the primary school; a new history/culture trail, with improvement to the entrance to Cae Glas Park from Willow Street and many others.

For the full list of improvements click here.

The consultation includes lots of ways for people of all ages to find out more and have their say including an online survey, seven ‘roadshow’ style consultation events at which people can meet the team and find out more, two online webinars, information sessions for teachers and pupils at four local schools, and more.

Full details of the consultation events can be found on the Shropshire Council website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved.

The key dates for Oswestry are Wednesday, May 10, from 9.30am until 12pm, when the team will be on the Bailey Head, while on Thursday, May 18 and Thursday, May 25, from 6pm until 7pm there will be an online webinar on Facebook.

Lastly, the week commencing June 19 there will also be school roadshows, with dates and locations to be confirmed.

These are to be held after the end of the official consultation period due to exams.

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Following the consultation an updated plan will be presented to Shropshire Council’s Cabinet for consideration.

Once funding is secured for specific schemes these will then be subject to local consultation with councillors and the public before progressing to implementation.