Canal Walk

Think about:

• Walking, wheeling or cycling
• Links to other things: shops, school, work, parks, public transport Routes: attractive, safe, good surfaces, well-lit, seating, continuous, clean and clear, free from pollution
• Accessible to all: all ages and mobility, vision/hearing impaired, pushchairs and prams, bikes and mobility aids
• Barriers: pavement parking, traffic volume/speed, overgrown hedges/foliage, refuse bins, lack of dropped kerbs or tactile paving, no safe crossing points, no safe bike/mobility aid parking.

Think about:

• Good options: Safe and convenient, frequent and reliable, affordable, clean and comfortable, easy to change between services
• Accessible for all: wheelchairs, bicycles, prams, vision/hearing impaired
• Meeting needs: toilets, seating, shelter from weather, cycle storage, car parking, visual/audio help points, green/low emissions
• Service information: easy to find, easy to use, clear and accessible
• Getting to where you need to go: health centre, shops, to meet friends, go to the park, etc.

Think about:

• Priorities: traffic calming measures, good pedestrian routes, safe road crossing points
• Traffic affects: congestion, speed, pollution, noise, fear of vehicles or bicycles, delivery vehicles
• Impacts: walking, wheeling, cycling, accessibility of pavements, attractiveness of the area
• Accessible for all: safe and secure, in a convenient location, accessible for blue badge holders, cars/bicycles, inconsiderate parking
• Climate change: car clubs, car sharing schemes, park and ride, electric vehicle charging, bike hire or bike sharing schemes

Think about:

• Quality: welcoming, distinctive, pleasant, accessible, fun, sheltered, shaded, places to rest, adaptable
• Points of interest: local landmarks, historic features, public squares, parks and gardens, trees
• Easy to get to where you want to go: good surfaces, visual features, well signposted, direct and easy routes to follow
• Accessible for all: pavement width, crossing points, tactile surfaces, dropped kerbs, etc.
• Challenges / Barriers: flooding, derelict buildings, vacant land, pollution, litter, lighting, busy roads, pavement clutter, illegal parking, others

Think about:

• Quality: welcoming, easy to get to, accessible, safe and secure, well-connected
• Useability: disabled people, dog walking, prams and buggies, walking and cycling, local food growing, playing, places to rest, other
• Cared for: clean, safe, in good order, community volunteers
• Challenges / Barriers: litter, noise, dog fouling, surface mud/ dirt, air quality, flooding, no seating, overcrowding
• Making it better: drainage, rewilding, protect and encourage, wildlife and nature, tree planting, cleaner air, shade

Think about:

• Opportunity: play (for all ages), sports, culture, arts, leisure, other
• Accessible for all: children and young people, adults and older people, non-disabled and disabled people, vision/hearing impaired, locals and visitors
• Well used: easy to get to, free or affordable, safe and well maintained, fun and welcoming, different times of day or year
• Making it better: streets close to home, vacant and derelict land, playgrounds, natural spaces, libraries and public buildings, hosting activities and events
• Challenges /barriers: access location, lighting, noise, cost, public toilets, traffic, weather, play not welcome by the community, other

Think about:

• What is there: schools + education, health facilities, social care, shop, library and culture, community centres and halls, recycling and repair, heathy food, leisure, gas, electricity and water
• Support: charities and clubs, welfare support, community food groups, places or worship, housing and employment advice
• Meeting needs: affordable, all ages, different needs and abilities, responsive to emergencies
• Easy to use: within walking or cycling distance, for disabled people, available online, linked to other services
• Challenges/Barriers: unwelcoming, limited healthy choices, language, internet access, other

Think about:

• Active Economy: able to spend locally (shop/eat/drink), mix of businesses, including local and community owned, opening days/times
• Availability: a mix of jobs, paid work and volunteering, temporary and permanent, seasonal and part-time position
• Skills Building: education, training or retraining, community work, local or accessible nearby
• The Right Support: for people with different needs, employment advice, starting and growing a business, childcare, travel
• Challenges/Barriers: pollution, noise, reliance on a few major employers, broadband, working conditions, closed businesses
• Impacts on Feelings about my Place: thriving or declining, lots of activity or empty streets, boarded up or active buildings

Think about:

• Mix of Housing: different sizes, various prices, privately owned, rented, specialist housing, supported living, multi-generational, other
• Quality of my Place: well maintained homes, private and community gardens, well laid out, communal areas
• Meeting my Needs: changing climate, population changes, global health challenges, energy efficiency
• Community Spirit: local activities and events, friendly neighbours, welcoming neighbourhoods, intergenerational mixing
• Challenges/Barriers: damp/draughty homes, secure boundaries, flooding, noise and disturbance, homelessness, anti-social behaviour

Think about:

• Meeting Places: local halls and centres, schools, places of worship, food and drink outlets, streets, outdoor seating, online
• Getting Local Information: friends/ family/ neighbours, social media, advertising and posters, local radio, local newspaper/letter, other
• For Everyone: accessible, friendly, inclusive, welcoming, free or affordable, digital access and skills
• Mix of Activities: indoor and outdoor groups, kids clubs and pensioner clubs, community activities, events, specialist groups
• Addressing a Crisis: networks, support groups, resources••Gaps: types of activities, type of spaces, use of spaces

Think about:

• Strong Identity: pride, neighbourliness, traditions, local groups
• Celebrate my community: history, heritage, arts, music, culture, sports, public events, social media, our uniqueness, our inclusiveness
• Getting involved: volunteering, sharing experiences, support networks, different groups
• Welcoming and Tolerant: friendliness, tolerance and openness, all ages and ethnicities, for disabled people, language and culture
• Perception of my place: reputation, profile, community, perception

Think about:

• Feeling Safe: daytime, evening and night-time, children and teenagers, adults and older people, women and girls
• Barriers: lighting, derelict buildings, empty homes, vacant land, flooding, clean/ clear paths
• Social Issues: freedom of speech, anti-social behaviour, hate crime, inequality, lack of diversity
• Sharing Concerns: neighbourhood watch, reporting crime, social media, other
• Other issues:: litter and graffiti, hidden or unreported crimes, unsafe at specific times / certain places, traffic speed and volume, other

Think about:

• Maintained Place: clean and safe, quick repairs, loved and cared for, accessible to everyone
• Who looks after my place: council, community, businesses, other
• Challenges: litter, fly-tipping, vandalism, pavement surfaces, changes to services, flooding
• Reporting Issues: who to, online or in person, is it easy, how responsive, does this lead to action, other
• Quality of Local Services: cleaning, recycling, property maintenance, grass cutting, other

Think about:

• Having a Voice: confidence to take part, getting involved, influencing decisions, doing things for ourselves, do we know and exercise our rights
• Being Listened To: are our needs understood, who do we talk to, how are we consulted, more or less consultation, other
• Effective local groups: community council, residents’ association, business groups, charities or lobby group, building/user forums, social media
• Community taking Action: litter picking, local improvements, working to take action, other
• Barriers: clear language, online/digital tools, hearing/vision needs, disabled people, can everyone take part