Have your say on Gloucestershire’s Active Travel Strategy
DRAFT Active Travel Strategy October 2026

Gloucestershire County Council is asking for comments on a new Active Travel Strategy setting out how we will support more people to walk, wheel and cycle across the county.

Active travel can make everyday journeys healthier, safer and more accessible. It can also improve access to local services, schools, workplaces and public transport, while helping to reduce congestion, improve air quality and support thriving communities. The strategy brings together transport, public health and environmental priorities within a coordinated, long-term approach. 

What is the strategy?

The strategy sets out a vision for Gloucestershire where walking, wheeling and cycling are easy and accessible for everyone. It covers infrastructure, maintenance, road safety, behaviour-change programmes, community involvement, information and journey planning. 

Its four objectives are to:

1. Make walking, wheeling and cycling an easy and accessible choice for everyday journeys.
2. Support the health and wellbeing of our communities by promoting increased active travel.
3. Support and encourage communities to increase the number of journeys made by active travel.
4. Improve information about, and awareness of, Gloucestershire’s active travel network. 

The strategy is accompanied by an implementation plan explaining the proposed actions, delivery timeframes, responsibilities and measures that will be used to monitor progress. 

Who is active travel for?

Active travel includes:

• walking and wheeling, including using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs;
• cycling, including adapted cycles and cargo bikes; and
• equestrian users, particularly where bridleways and green corridors form part of Gloucestershire’s rural network. 

The strategy recognises that people experience different barriers to active travel. It therefore places particular emphasis on inclusive design, safe and accessible routes, community engagement and ensuring that improvements respond to the needs of people of different ages and abilities. 

What could the strategy deliver?

Proposed areas of action include:

• improving and maintaining walking, wheeling and cycling routes;
• providing safer and more convenient crossings;
• supporting lower traffic speeds and other road-safety measures;
• increasing secure cycle parking;
• improving links to schools, parks, open spaces and public transport;
• supporting cycle and e-bike hire, repair facilities and training;
• working with schools, employers and community organisations;
• improving signage, wayfinding and online journey information; and
• using evidence and community feedback to guide investment and monitor outcomes. 

Have your say

We would like to hear from anyone with an interest in travelling around Gloucestershire.

The consultation will be open for six weeks, from 19th October 2026 to 30th November 2026. During this period, you can read the draft strategy and tell us:

• whether you support its vision and objectives;
• which actions are most important to you;
• whether the strategy reflects the needs of your community; and
• what changes or additions you think should be considered.

Read the draft Active Travel Strategy

Send your comments to ltp@gloucestershire.gov.uk

What happens next?

Once the engagement period has closed, the council will review the responses and consider whether changes should be made to the strategy. A brief report will summarise the feedback received and explain how it has informed the final document.

The final Active Travel Strategy will then be adopted.