SENIOR councillors are set to approve a new Lancashire-wide strategy to double the number of people cycling and increase the number of people walking for leisure by 10 per cent.

The aim of the plan Actively Moving Forward is to increase levels of physical activity to above the national average.

The document will be considered on Thursday by the cabinet of Lancashire County Council which has developed the strategy with Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool Borough Councils.

It aims to achieve its targets by 2018.

A key element is to put cycling and walking at the forefront of council transport plans.

An example of this joint approach is the East Lancashire Strategic Cycleway project.

It has four schemes - the Weavers Wheel round Blackburn, The Valley of Stone connecting Rawtenstall to Whitworth, National Cycle Network Route 6 linking Accrington to Stubbins, and the Huncoat Greenway near Accrington - which will create 14 miles of new routes and improve another 59 miles of cycle ways and bridleways by 2020.

The Actively Moving Forward strategy commits the three councils involved to publish long-term plans for our future cycling and walking networks focusing on connecting homes to public transport. workplaces, education and retail and leisure destinations.

It also aims to support and encourage people to walk and cycle.

The plan proposes to work with cycling and walking organisations and promote cycle training courses.

It also proposes a marketing plan to highlight the freedom and enjoyment offered by cycling and walking

The strategy aims to work with employers, schools and colleges to develop and promote active travel plans.

Andrew Mullaney, the county council’s head of planning and environment, said: “It’s crucial we do all we can to encourage people to be more physically active.

“Making it easier for people to walk and cycle brings many benefits, improving people’s health and wellbeing, reducing road congestion, improving local air quality, providing access to job opportunities and supporting economic growth."

“This strategy would build on the range of high-quality walking and cycling routes, which already offer excellent access to the county’s towns and cities and beautiful rural landscape.

“Actions set out include making use of existing walking and cycling facilities, investing in further improvements, improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians, and changing people’s behaviour to make walking and cycling their natural choice for shorter journeys, or as part of a longer journey.”

If approved, the strategy will go to Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen Councils for their consideration.