Sustrans to display green travel ideas for Market Deeping and Deeping St Nicholas at Christmas market

Initial plans for better walking routes and cycle paths in a town are to be unveiled this weekend.

The Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group (DNP) is working with sustainable transport charity Sustrans to develop an Active Travel Plan to persuade residents to leave their cars at home for short journeys.

It will align with a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) to guide future transport decisions in the area.

The community has been asked for their ideas for better walking, cycling, and mobility routes through an online questionnaire.

The DNP wants to hear from a range of users, including cyclists, parents with strollers/buggies, wheelchair users, and those with mobility scooters.

Sustrans are to display their initial ideas for the town at The Square pub, in Market Deeping, during the Deepings Christmas Market on Sunday.

It takes place from 10am to 4.30pm, with the lights switch-on at 4pm.

The first draft of the strategy, which has been funded by South Kesteven District Council’s Shared Prosperity Fund, will be completed by March 2025.

The DNP Group, which is made up of residents, businesses, and members of Deeping St Nicholas Parish Council and Market Deeping Town Council, has already had success in ensuring new developments give more priority to new walking routes.

“Planning improvements to our active travel network is an important aspect of our Neighbourhood Plan development, said DNP chairperson, Dr Pam Byrd.

“This approach will enable residents and visitors of all ages and abilities to gain from the health benefits of walking and cycling as well as being an easy way to travel within the Deepings.

“We are also keen to ensure that our work tackles existing stereotypes so that we can ensure people with wheeled mobility aids become more visible in transport planning.”

Residents can acccess the online survey at https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/sustrans/walking-and-cycling-in-the-deepings or via www.deepingsplan.org