Bingley Neighbourhood Development Plan

11. Walking, Cycling and Green Infrastructure Comment

11.1 Introduction

11.1.1 If, as set out in the Vision for this plan, Bingley in 2038 is going to be a thriving, attractive Parish of which residents and businesses are proud, then it will be a healthier community, less dominated by traffic, with sustainability at its heart. Objective 4 seeks to ensure Bingley can be a walking and cycling town by fostering the development of better connections for walking and cycling routes which connect different areas within the Parish and provide connections to parks and areas of natural green space. In some places, routes need improvement and, going forward, the Neighbourhood Plan seeks to protect, strengthen and complete them.

11.1.2 Parks and natural green spaces exist throughout Bingley and, in view of the need to find alternative natural green spaces to reduce pressure from recreational use of the South Pennine Moors Special Protection Area, it is important that these are also protected and strengthened. The Neighbourhood Plan has identified key elements of Green Infrastructure and has identified sites proposed for Local Green Space designation.

11.1.3 The Neighbourhood Plan also provides an opportunity to set objectives to increase the biodiversity of parks and natural green spaces and to connect isolated habitats to improve conditions for wildlife to prosper within Bingley. The Neighbourhood Plan recognises the overlap and mutual benefit that exists in relation to improvements to walking and cycling routes, and green corridors to connect habitats in Bingley.

11.1.4 Work undertaken to support the development of the Neighbourhood Plan has included the preparation of Design Codes and of Concept Masterplans, Design Principles and Proposals and Interventions. These are discussed in earlier sections of this plan and further below specifically in relation to walking and cycling, and green infrastructure.

11.1.5 The Masterplan report notes that the A650 separates Bingley town centre from communities in the northern areas, and that the majority of both vehicular and non-vehicular routes run north to south. A principle of the Neighbourhood Plan is to strengthen the links between different centres within Bingley where possible. It identifies priorities for enhanced or new strategic sustainable links, in particular from Bingley town centre to Crossflatts/Micklethwaite, to Eldwick, to Gilstead and to Cottingley.

11.1.6 The Neighbourhood Plan wants to make sure that the village cores and clusters of community facilities maintain their on-going role to provide essential services for the local population who can access them on foot. The Conceptual Framework identifies 800m and 1200m walkable catchments to these places and to Bingley town centre, which presently cover the majority of residents.

11.1.7 The Concept Masterplans, Design Principles, proposals and interventions for Bingley town centre and Crossflatts show the range of actions required to improve the public realm and walking/cycling routes to these places alongside the Conceptual Framework.

11.2 Walking and Cycling

11.2.1 The Conceptual Framework set out in Figure 5.1 of the Bingley Parish Masterplan Supporting Document contains an aim of, where possible, to strengthen links between village centres and the town centre by creating convenient routes, enhanced road connections and introducing new or enhanced cycle and pedestrian routes.

11.2.2 The key links are identified in the Masterplan Figure 5.1, referred to above.

11.3 Cottingley to Bingley town centre

11.3.1 There are both pedestrian and cycle routes from Cottingley village centre to Bingley town centre. The most direct pedestrian route is 1.6 miles (2.7km) of on street routes with two short sections of public footpath, linking Beckfield Road to Manor Drive and through to Ghyll Wood Drive. The public footpath is not lit or surfaced. The route involves a combined change in elevation of 243 feet (75m), down to the River Aire from Cottingley (200 feet, 61.5m) and up to the town centre (43 feet, 13.2m). An alternative route is available not involving use of the footpath at a roughly similar distance. The estimated walking time is 33 minutes.

11.3.2 For the parts of Cottingley which would benefit from using the public footpath links, improvements to these are a priority.

11.3.3 The on-road cycle route from Cottingley to Bingley town centre is two miles in length via Manor Road and Cottingley New Road (on street shared with traffic) and then Bradford Road B6265 via nonsegregated cycle lanes. The initial part of the route is more circuitous but allows a gentler gradient for cycling. The route narrows significantly at one point next to Kiddi-Creche. On the north side of the River Aire on the run up to the town centre, the route is intermittent and compromised by long bus stops, large junctions, on street parking bays and other traffic management arrangements. The route ends at the entrance to the town centre.

11.3.4 At each end of the route (Cottingley village and the arrival entrance to Bingley town centre), there are no cycle stands. Also, there are no cycle stands provided to serve facilities enroute. Elsewhere, stands provided at Lidl, Aldi, Home Bargains, in pay and display car parks and at Bingley Pool. Cycle facilities need to be more prominent attractive and feel secure.

11.3.5 Priorities for the improvement of this route would be to provide further lengths of cycle lane to complete the route and to fill in gaps. Opportunities for providing dedicated cycle lanes should be investigated between the River Aire and the town centre. In addition, suitable cycle parking facilities should be provided at both ends of the route and along it to serve facilities and amenities along the way.

11.4 Bingley town centre

11.4.1 Securing better cycle routes into Bingley town centre is an important aim of this plan. Having arrived, people need good quality cycle stands at which to safely park their bikes and these need to be in the right locations. Currently, cycle stands have been placed within council car parks or have been installed as new development occurs. Whilst these locations may warrant some cycle stands, there has been a lack of facilities elsewhere. This has created a fairly random pattern of provision of cycle stands which are not necessarily convenient to key destinations or entry points to the town centre. Some provision is tucked away to the rear of car parks and signage is not good.

11.4.2 Bingley Town Council aims to work with Bradford Council to improve information about opportunities and facilities for cycling in Bingley. Signage for cycle routes and cycle parking facilities within the town centre needs to be improved. Some cycle stands need to be moved to better locations and more cycle stands are needed. The Canal and Rivers Trust has highlighted a need for signage and towpath improvements (between Bingley and Crossflatts) to support greater use of the canal route by cyclists.

11.5 Gilstead to Bingley town centre

11.5.1 There are both pedestrian and cycle routes from Gilstead to Bingley town centre. There are two routes using tarmacked roads and they are the same routes for both cycling and walking. The most direct route is 1.0 miles (1.6km) of on street routes. The route involves a combined change in elevation of 240 feet (73m), down Gilstead Lane to Ferncliffe Road to Main Street. This is via Fernbank Drive, Priestthorpe Road, Mornington Road and Park Road. The estimated walking time is 21 minutes for the direct route and 26 minutes for the gentler route downhill. It should be noted that the same route will feel very different cycling back to Gilstead from the town. The estimated walking time is 26 minutes.

11.5.2 The cycle route from Gilstead to Bingley town centre has advisory cycle lanes at the junction of Gilstead Lane and Warren Lane but these lanes disappear in the vicinity of the former village post office and do not appear again for the remainder of the route. There is an advanced cycle stop line at the traffic light junction with Sir Fred Hoyle Way, but not at the junction with Main Street. There are no cycle stands in Gilstead, non-observed en-route and non-immediately visible at the arrival entrance to the town centre from this direction.

11.5.3 Priorities for the improvement of this route would be to provide further lengths of cycle lane to complete the route and to fill in gaps. Opportunities for providing dedicated cycle lanes should be investigated between the former post office in Gilstead and the town centre. In addition, suitable cycle parking facilities should be provided at both ends of the route and along it to serve facilities and amenities along the way.

11.6 Gilstead to Eldwick Villages

11.6.1 There are both pedestrian and cycle routes from Gilstead former post office to Eldwick post office. There are two routes using tarmacked roads and public footpaths and again they are the same routes for both cycling and walking. Both routes are 1.0 mile (1.6km) in length. The first is along Gilstead Lane to the footpath (just beyond No 129) through to the Swan Avenue estate, then turning right onto Swan Avenue to Nightingale Walk, again picking up a footpath to Sherriff Lane and up to the junction with Otley Road. Sherriff Lane at this point is unmade. There are no segregated cycle lanes in the upper section of Gilstead Lane. The route involves a combined change in elevation of 194 feet (60m) up, dropping 13 feet (4m) down to the dip in Gilstead Lane and then up to Eldwick post office. An alternative route is more direct but still 1.0 miles (1.6km) in length. This is via Warren Lane and Otley Road. It has a combined elevation change of 154 feet (47m). The estimated walking time is 20 minutes.

11.6.2 The cycle lanes in lower Gilstead Lane do not carry forward into Warren Lane and upper Gilstead Lane. At either end of the route there are no cycle stands in Gilstead village or Eldwick village.

11.6.3 Priorities for the improvement of these routes would be to provide further lengths of cycle lane to complete the route and to fill in gaps. Opportunities for providing dedicated cycle lanes and an improvement in appropriate signage should be investigated. In addition, suitable cycle parking facilities should be provided at both ends of the route and along it to serve facilities and amenities along the way.

11.7 Eldwick to Bingley town centre

11.7.1 There are two recommended routes for cycling and walking between Eldwick and Bingley town centre. The most direct route is 1.7 miles (2.7km) in length via Otley Road, Parkside/Park Road and Main Street on tarmacked roads. The route involves a combined elevation change of 360 feet, (110m) and again it should be noted that the same route will feel very different cycling back to Eldwick village from the town. There is a segregated cycle lane on Park Road in the uphill direction but not downhill and it is not continuous.

11.7.2 An alternative route is available which, although has the same elevation change, has a gentler incline. This is following the route from Eldwick post office to Gilstead former post office via Sherriff Lane, the public footpath at Nightingale Walk, Swan Avenue, Gilstead Lane and then onwards down to the Town Centre and is 1.9 miles (3.0km). The estimated walking time is 30 minutes.

11.7.3 There are options available for walkers to divert from the roads through Prince of Wales Park or descend via Gilstead Moor but these routes are not signposted nor obvious to a visitor to the area.

11.7.4 Priorities for the improvement of this route would be to provide further lengths of cycle lane to complete the route and to fill in gaps. Opportunities for providing dedicated cycle lanes and an improvement in appropriate signage should be investigated between Eldwick post office and the town centre. In addition, suitable cycle parking facilities should be provided at both ends of the route and along it to serve facilities and amenities along the way.

11.8 Eldwick to Crossflatts and Micklethwaite

11.8.1 There is one recommended cycling route from Eldwick to Micklethwaite. The route involves the steep climbs and proceeds down Otley Road to Parkside/Park Road turning into Beck Lane to find the canal towpath at Five-Rise Locks leaving the canal at Crossflatts before cycling up Micklethwaite Lane to the village. This route involves a combined height gain of 157 feet (48m) and a loss of 361 feet (110m).

11.8.2 The Leeds to Liverpool Canal is a SUSTRANS National Cycle Route 696, but other parts of the route on roads are currently set out as cycle lanes. There are no cycle stands at either ends of the route.

11.8.3 The route above can be walked but there is an alternative walking route at 2 miles (3.2km) diverting from Park Road up Lady Lane then dropping to Micklethwaite Lane via Sty Lane. This is a narrow lane with no footpaths on the lower section so it could be dangerous to walkers. This route can be cycled too. Estimated walking time is 45 minutes. There is a more direct walking route from Sty Lane leaving the lane where the footpath ends via the snicket on the right just before the bend at No 6 and traversing the valley following the signed footpaths heading for The Bungalow on Carr Lane, Micklethwaite.

11.8.4 Priorities for the improvement of these routes would be to provide cycle lanes where possible. Opportunities for providing dedicated cycle lanes and improvements in footpaths and appropriate signage should be investigated between the three villages. In addition, suitable cycle parking facilities should be provided at the ends of the route and along it to serve facilities and amenities along the way.

11.9 Crossflatts to Bingley town centre

11.9.1 There are two cycle routes between the village and the town; the first is to gain access to the canal towpath via Canal Road to Bingley crossing the Leeds Liverpool Canal at Three Rise Locks to facilitate access to Park Road, then turning right to the town centre 1.2 miles (2km). The route is fairly flat. The second is straightforward being straight along Keighley Road to Main Street 1.1 miles (1.8km). The route is fairly flat. This is a busy road with on street parking to avoid. There are no cycle lanes on the route but there is a cycle box at the traffic light by the fire station. It is also a bus route and passes Castlefields Industrial Estate so there will be large lorries using the route too.

11.9.2 There are no cycle stands at the Crossflatts end of the route and no obvious landing area at the north end of the town.

11.9.3 Priorities for the improvement of these routes would be to provide cycle lanes where possible. Opportunities for providing dedicated cycle lanes and an improvement in appropriate signage should be investigated between the village and the town centre. In addition, suitable cycle parking facilities should be provided at the ends of the route and along it to serve facilities and amenities along the way.

11.9.4 The recommended walking route is via the canal tow path accessed via Canal Road in Crossflatts and again leaving the path at Park Road after crossing sides at Three Rise Locks. Estimated walking time is 24 minutes. The Canal and Rivers Trust have highlighted a need for towpath improvements between Bingley Five Rise Locks and Primrose Lane.

11.10 Crossflatts to Micklethwaite

11.10.1 This is an easy route to follow as it straight up Micklethwaite Lane to the village centre 0.7 miles (1.1km). However the route does climb nearly 200 feet (59m). There are no cycle lanes. The walking route is the same and will take you approximately 16 minutes.

11.10.2 It is difficult to see possibilities for the improvement of this route unless a road widening scheme was ever proposed. This is unlikely to happen in the life of this Plan. However opportunities for an improvement in appropriate signage should be investigated between the villages. In addition, suitable cycle parking facilities should be provided at the ends of the route.

11.11 Walking and Cycling Policies

11.11.1 The Masterplan Conceptual Framework identifies opportunities for walking and cycling routes to connect settlements using design principles set out in the design codes and the masterplan document. Delivery of improved walking and cycling routes will require planning and investment over a period of time by a range of local partners including developers, landowners, the Highways Authority, Bingley Town Council and others. The Government's Manual for Streets and LTN1/20 Guidance provide a framework for the design of new walking and cycling infrastructure – detailed assessments are needed to support particular design solutions and investment. Policy BING7 sets out priorities for walking and cycling route improvement in Bingley. The quality of cycle infrastructure within the town centre also needs to improve.

11.12 Policy References

NPPF Paras 104, 109, 111(c), 113, 115(b and c) and 117(a, b and c), Bradford Adopted Core Strategy Policies TR1 (Parts A, B & E), TR3, TR4 and DS4, Emerging Local Plan EN6., TR1 (Part A), TR3, TR4 and DS4

11.13 Local Green Spaces

11.13.1 In recognition of the need to clearly identify and protect important local green spaces, the Neighbourhood Plan identifies sites for which Local Green Space designation is sought. The Neighbourhood Plan Working Group used their local knowledge and feedback from consultation to identify a long-list of sites that could be considered for designation as Local Green Spaces. A key principle of Local Green Space policy is that sites that do not need additional protection should not be designated. Some sites identified are already protected from development by adopted open space or green belt policies and so these were not considered further.

11.13.2 Each remaining site was assessed against the criteria set out in NPPF paragraph 107. To be suitable for designation, a site should:

1. be in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves
2. be demonstrably special to a local community
3. hold a particular local significance, for example, because of its
   1. beauty,
   2. historic significance,
   3. recreational value (including as a playing field),
   4. tranquillity or
   5. richness of its wildlife
4. be local in character and is not an extensive tract of land.

11.13.3 The results of the assessment of the sites are set out in the 'Local Green Spaces – Supporting Evidence Report', set out in Appendix A.

11.13.4 The sites proposed for designation as Local Green Space were consulted upon as part of the community consultation undertaken in September 2019 – no objections were received at that time. Further consultation directly with the relevant landowners has been undertaken in the summer of 2022. One landowner responded to the informal consultation on proposed Local Green Space designations. An objection was received in relation to the designation of site 18, fields to the north and west of Five Rise Farm (ruins). The response is included in the evidence library. The Neighbourhood Plan Working Group considered the response and felt that the parcel of land in question plays an important role as a setting for the Leeds-Liverpool Canal Conservation Area and the Five Rise Locks, whilst also provide an open vantage point, afforded by the openness of the site, to the surrounding hills to the south of Bingley. This creates a special value and appreciation for the local community and visitors using the canal. Because of this, the group decided to retain the proposed designation of this site.

11.13.5 Some proposed Local Green Spaces are important local allotments. There is an on-going high demand for allotment plots and it is a priority of this Neighbourhood Plan to secure more provision as new developments come forward so that provision matches an expanding population and increasing interest in growing sustainable, healthy local food

11.14 Policy References

NPPF Paras 106-108, Bradford Adopted Core Strategy Policy EN1.

11.15 Green Infrastructure

11.15.1 Elements of a green infrastructure framework are shown in Figure 5.3 of the Bingley Parish Neighbourhood Plan Masterplan Supporting Document. It identifies the different forms of Green Infrastructure within Bingley and the villages including the canal, open spaces and wildlife areas. It establishes principles for the protection and enhancement of networks of high-quality trees, hedgerow and woodland. The green infrastructure framework calls for the retention of existing landscape green infrastructure of value to be incorporated into development masterplans and for the felling and removal of trees to be avoided.

11.15.2 It is important that new developments recognise the value of existing open spaces and retain and enhance them within their designs so that they can continue to contribute to local open space provision. The location of development adjacent to open spaces should be planned so that it enhances the character of the open space and provides other benefits such as natural surveillance and a fostering of social interaction.

11.15.3 A more strategic approach to the strengthening of green infrastructure across Bingley requires an understanding of local habitats and species, which the Neighbourhood Plan has not addressed through ecological survey or expertise. However, Natural England's review of habitat presence and opportunities for enhancement and repair is available through DEFRA's Magic interactive map.

11.15.4 A number of areas of open space are also designated Local Wildlife Sites (LWS). These include:

1. Bingley North Bog (which occupies the southern section of land to west of Five Rise Locks)
2. Gilstead Moor Edge and Prince of Wales Park (partly shown as number four on Figure 15)
3. St Ives Estate (parts)
4. Ewe Hills (within the St Ives Estate Park designation)
5. The Leeds Liverpool Canal

11.15.5 The Neighbourhood Plan identifies further potential to contribute to national and local nature recovery strategies through the identification of broad corridors which should be the focus of improvement in biodiversity to restore, enhance and connect habitats. These broad opportunities are identified indicatively on the policies map as connecting:

1. Milner Field Estate to St Ives Estates across Crossley Woods, South Bog, Green Belt land lying between Gilstead/Bingley and Cottingley, and Bingley Cemetery.
2. River Aire corridor south of the A650, connecting north of Cottingley with the Keighley border along the valley towards Keighley.
3. Connecting fragmented woodland running northwest of Prince of Wales Park, to the park and woodland running south between Bingley and Gilstead.

11.15.6 The policy supports development and other actions which would deliver on the broad objective to restore, enhance and connect important habitats in Bingley. Further work is needed to identify specific opportunities to create strategic Biodiversity Net Gain site opportunities in Bingley. The policy will be used in combination with design policies in this Neighbourhood Plan to establish how proposed developments would protect and enhance green infrastructure within Bingley.

11.15.7 A specific focus is additionally placed on the provision of new allotments in new developments – Bingley's allotments are oversubscribed with substantial waiting lists. Provision of suitable allotment space within larger developments would be welcomed.

11.16 Policy References

NPPF Para 96, 103, 188, Bradford Adopted Core Strategy Policies SC6, AD1 and DS2, Emerging Local Plan SP10, SP11 and SPD on South Pennine Moors, EN2, CO1.