By 2041, Hounslow Council is hoping for 70% of residents to engage in walking, wheeling, or cycling for at least 10 minutes twice daily, and for 43% of all trips to be made by these active modes.
Two new actions plans launched last week aim to help provide residents with wider and healthier options for travel – particularly for shorter everyday journeys.
The plans have been developed in response to what residents told the council they wanted: safer routes, better access, and more opportunities to travel actively.
New investments include cycle tracks, bike hubs in Feltham and Heston Park, and all-ability cycling sessions with specially adapted bikes. A new cycle training hub also opened at Boston Manor on Saturday 14 June, following strong local demand.
Walking and wheeling already account for 37% of trips in Hounslow – around 174,000 each day. To make it easier and safer, the council worked with the Disability and Age Partnership to audit routes, with representatives sharing valuable insights into the importance of safer pedestrian crossings, improved ramps, and better park pathways.
The Council has also been sharing local experiences to inspire more people to give active travel a go. During National Walking Month in May, the Council highlighted some of the borough’s most scenic parks for walking in a video.
A resident learning to cycle shared their journey of building confidence on two wheels n a video case study. Another resident spoke about how the free Dr Bike sessions helped them get back on the road.
Councillor Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Transport at Hounslow Council, said: “We know residents want safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable ways to get around Hounslow – whether that’s walking, wheeling, or cycling. By investing in better infrastructure, expanding training opportunities, and making public spaces more inviting, we’re making active travel a more attractive and realistic option for everyone in the borough.”
The plans are key to delivering the council’s wider transport strategy, which focuses on creating a more sustainable, connected borough. They also support the Hounslow joint health and wellbeing strategy by helping to create more welcoming neighbourhoods that encourage physical activity and improve mental health and wellbeing.
