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Car Free Low Carbon Travel for Longdendale

Tomo Thompson
By Tomo Thompson
27th November 2020

Longdendale Survey Results

 

Summary
(Click on the text in blue above for access to the full survey results report)

The online survey ran for 12 weeks, with 245 people responding. The majority 60% lived outside Longdendale. Nothing stopped most people from visiting but a fifth said they could not access it easily.

 

Walking was by far the most popular activity in Longdendale followed by seeing wildlife, taking photographs, and cycling and mountain biking. Views and landscape topped the list of most loved features with moorlands, wildlife, and peace and quiet all being important.

 

In order to improve Longdendale the most frequent changes suggested were better conservation of wildlife, fewer cars and lorries, a re-opened Woodhead railway and more trees.  Many people were concerned about the majority of the potential developments listed that could threaten Longdendale, from major housing estates and leisure developments, to festivals and quarrying.

 

To reduce the impact of climate change on Longdendale, the top three measures chosen were improving transport for both people and freight, better conservation of wildlife and of moorland and peat, and more renewable sources of energy.

 When it came to making low carbon journeys people wanted good quality affordable bus and rail services, including reopening Woodhead for electric trains, opportunities to walk and cycle safely on existing streets, especially for children, and a lorry ban on the Woodhead Pass.

Twenty seven percent would allow road building in Longdendale in order to reduce the congestion and pollution through Mottram, Hollingworth and Tintwistle. The majority would not allow road building in Longdendale and cited increases in road traffic and hampering the fight against climate change. Significantly more people living in Longdendale would allow road building compared with those who lived elsewhere but this was still less than half of residents.

 

We are very grateful to the following organisations for their support with this project:
Foundation for Integrated Transport
CPRE the countryside charity 
CPRE North West Region
CPRE Yorkshire and Humber Region