Purpose

This report concerns the draft
Thanet Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan, or TCWIP, and is
an update following the recent public consultation:
 

The adoption of the
TCWIP is crucial. It will elevate the priority given to cycling,
walking, and wheeling.
This adoption will
give the Council access to greater levels of government funding
from the Department for Transport.
It will ensure the
network is considered in Kent County Council Highway
improvements.
It also provides the
evidence base for policies in our new Local Plan and helps deliver
the aims of the Council’s Air Quality Strategy
2026.

 
The consultation process was
approved by Cabinet in April 2025, and was designed to gather wider
public views, give greater weight to the adopted plan, and provide
essential support for future funding bids. A total of 76 responses
were received.

Decision

Cabinet agreed the
following:
 
1. 
To adopt the TCWIP as a Council Strategy;
and
 
2. 
That the provisions of the TCWIP be incorporated
into other Council strategies as appropriate.

Reasons for the decision

The adoption of the TCWIP will
give a higher priority to cycling, walking and wheeling than it
currently receives. It will also give the Council access to greater
levels of Government funding (Department for Transport), and ensure
that the network is taken into account in KCC Highway improvements.
It will also provide the evidence base for policies in the new
Local Plan; and assist in delivering the aims of the
Council’s Air Quality Strategy (2026).

Alternative options considered

The options are to:
 

Adopt the
TCWIP;
Adopt the TCWIP, with
amendments; or
Not adopt the
TCWIP

 
The recommendation is that the
Council should adopt the TCWIP without amendments, for the reasons
set out above.