A member of a sustainable transport group says that Shropshire Council has to unsure that the Local Transport Plan (LTP) is achievable.
The authority has been holding a series of drop-in events where people can find out more about how they can help shape transport in the county over the next 10 years, with a final plan to be adopted next spring.
Covering 2027 to 2037, the council has set out five objectives that it says will guide transport investment: Health and wellbeing; connecting to opportunities; decarbonisation; environmental protection; and supporting good economic growth.
It has also pinpointed 12 areas where it says it can turn the objections into actions including public transport, road safety, inclusive accessibility, rural accessibility, access to future homes and jobs, maintaining roads, pavements and transport infrastructure, and air quality.
The public consultation runs until November 16, with events already being held in Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury.
At the latter, Michael Willmot, a member of Sustainable Transport Shropshire, said: “Although I find it difficult to fault much of what I’m reading, I’m waiting to see them to actually form an action plan.
“The cycling around Shrewsbury has hardly been improved in the last 10 years since they made their cycling team redundant.
“So, again, they say they’re promoting cycling, but until we see some improved cycle routes going into town, it’s difficult to see how that’s going to be achieved. But that requires investment, I understand that."
Jennie Perks, meanwhile, wants more bus services in the town.
“There’s lot of places I can’t get to,” she said.
“It will be quite nice to get to Salop Leisure, but there’s no bus that goes past it.”
This week, Shropshire Council announced that the Meole Brace Park and Ride service will carry on for at least another three years.
Campaigner Christine Hart said she was delighted with the news, and understands why the council plans to make changes to car park tariffs, including reducing prices at Frankwell to match Abbey Foregate.
“People travel across there because it’s cheaper, then it’s full so they travel back to Frankwell,” said Ms Hart.
“I don’t care if they put the prices up in the car parks because I want everyone to use public transport. And that will make such a difference."
Councillor Rob Wilson, portfolio holder for transport and regeneration, said there has so far been a healthy debate at the events.
“Transport connects everyone in their daily lives and is incredibly important to people,” he said.
“I think a lot of people are recognising what they want to see. Public transport has really come out as a strong theme. People want more options in how they travel around their towns.
“This is how Shropshire is going to spend its Government funding for the next 10 years, so it’s a really important document to make sure we’re going in the right direction. The public need to have their say so we can hear what they want transport in Shropshire to be like."
Councillor Wilson is also thinks the plan is more achievable than previous ones.
“We’re not talking about really expensive, big infrastructure projects which in my mind Shropshire has failed at in the past,” he said.
“It’s about local interventions that really improve things on people’s doorsteps."
Further consultation events will be held at Bishop’s Castle Town Hall (October 19, 11am to 4pm)), St Alkmunds Parish Church, Whitchurch (October 22, 10am to 3pm), Ludlow Assembly Rooms (November 3, 2pm to 7pm) and Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton (November 9, midday to 5pm).
Full details about the LTP can be found here, where you can also complete an online questionnaire.
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