A TRANSPORT strategy for the next two decades ‘conflicts’ with housing plans for parts of south Warrington, says a borough councillor.

Five strategic priorities shaped the development of the recently approved local transport plan four (LTP4) – health, air quality and noise, reducing carbon, housing growth and economic growth.

A key part of it is to support ‘behaviour change’ and encourage people to walk and cycle in a bid to reduce the dependency on cars.

The building stronger communities policy committee noted the work that is taking place to encourage more people to choose to travel by walking or cycling, as well as to improve cycling infrastructure in the town, during Wednesday’s meeting.

Council officer Alan Dickin, who covers transport in the town as part of his role, discussed the strategy with members.

The committee was told that funding for cycling and walking needs to be increased to around £20 per person over the next two decades to deliver the network.

“We have seen significant improvements in the last few years in terms of infrastructure in Warrington, we have been quite successful in attracting funding and using the council’s own resources to make improvements,” said Mr Dickin.

But Cllr Sharon Harris (LD – Appleton) highlighted proposals set out for parts of the south of the town in the emerging local plan, which aims to deliver 18,900 homes – or 945 a year – up until 2037.

She said the new homes that could be built in Walton and Appleton would be ‘very car dependent’.

Cllr Harris added that she believes there is ‘a bit of conflict’ between the planned housing and some of the transport aspirations set out in LTP4.