More than 36 potential new walking and cycling routes have been identified in Test Valley and East Hampshire under new plans.

Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIPs) are strategic documents that outline potential future improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure.

They do not aim to indicate the current state of the network but rather to establish a strategic vision for a future network of safe and convenient routes for walking and cycling.

Information collected has allowed Hampshire County Council to identify primary and secondary routes in the area under the local cycling network for the Test Valley (North) and East Hampshire District LCWIPs.

Local routes facilitate local cycling trips and often link to the primary or secondary routes. The LCWIPs also identified key walking zones and walking paths.

In Test Valley (North), 14 walking and cycling routes have been identified, while 22 routes have been established for East Hampshire.

The development of the LCWIPs for Test Valley (North) and East Hampshire was funded by the central government, with additional match funding from Hampshire County Council.

Country council officers said that in the last few weeks, the council had secured a further £5 million for active travel infrastructure in Hampshire.

A county council officer said: “What we’re seeing through this investment is that the government is making good on our work and is starting to fund some of the infrastructure. We’re not yet on the ground with building lots of great stuff; we’ve got some really good stuff going on, but the change we need to make is a kind of a generational thing, and these plans set up that ambition.”

Implementing the measures outlined in the LCWIPs will depend on the availability of funding from the central government, developer contributions, and other grant sources.

Both plans underwent a six-week public consultation to gather feedback on the proposed walking zones and cycling routes. This consultation specifically focused on identifying which areas and routes should be prioritized for investment and enhancements.

In the Test Valley (North) Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), 44 per cent of respondents to the walking survey said that they would walk more if a proposed cycling network were developed. Additionally, 78 per cent of those who responded to the cycling survey said they would cycle more.

When asked whether the proposed interventions in the East Hampshire District LCWIP would encourage them to walk more, 53 per cent of respondents answered yes. Additionally, 44 per cent said they would be more likely to cycle if the proposed interventions were implemented.

Cllr Rod Cooper (Farnborough West) said: “I’m pleased to see this LCWIP coming forward. Hopefully, in the long term, it will improve cycling and walking and people’s health.”

Cllr Jonathan Glen (Odiham and Hook) said: “We need to keep increasing our wish list, which means continuing to work in the background so that when we get development proposed for any part of Hampshire, we’re ready with a scheme.

“We need to be able to get our hands on any 106 or still money that’s available to help provide the cash we need to proceed with what we want. As was mentioned earlier, we’re ahead of the game and not fighting to catch up.”

Five primary cycle routes were identified. These are:

Walking routes have been identified, located in Alton, Petersfield and Bordon. These are:

Six primary cycle routes were identified. These are:

The following walking routes have been identified: