KNUTSFORD Town Council has set out its priorities for the next 10 years to ensure the town continues to thrive.

A public consultation is currently taking place on the council's draft strategic plan, which includes its core aims for the next decade.

As well as making the town a 'thriving independent destination', objectives include promoting active travel and public transport, improving open spaces and the environment, leading a strong community and ensuring access to services and facilities.

Residents have an opportunity to share their thoughts on the plan at a meeting in Knutsford Methodist Church at 7pm tonight and are being encouraged to have their say before the consultation closes on Friday, March 17.

Town clerk Adam Keppel-Green said: “We’re setting out a strategy to guide what we do over the next 10 years and provide a marker for the community to assess how well we are doing.

“We’re keen to hear from as many local residents, businesses and other stakeholders to ensure we are setting the right objectives for the town.”

What are the town council's priorities for 2023-2032

To make Knutsford a thriving independent destination, the council will develop and implement a masterplan, which provides a comprehensive vision for the development of the town centre.

This will include how improvements will be made to accessibility, pedestrian movement, parking and the public realm.

The draft plan states: "The plan will detail how we can meet the objectives of the Cheshire East Knutsford Town Centre Vitality Plan and how we can attract the right mix of businesses for the town.

"The overarching objective of the plan will be to ensure Knutsford remains an attractive place for independent businesses to operate."

The council also aims to look at traffic in the town as well as implement initiatives to increase footfall; bring in visitors; hold annual events; and support businesses.

The events, along with other initiatives will also help to promote the town's heritage and foster civic pride.

With regards to active travel and public transport, the plan states: "The biggest issue identified in our consultation was the need to improve pedestrian and cycling infrastructure across Knutsford to make ‘active travel’, for both travel and leisure, safer and easier.

"Alongside this, residents raised the inadequacy of the public transport provision."

The council will look to develop an active travel plan, incorporating the Knutsford Cycling Infrastructure plan.

Other objectives include creating a cyclepath linking The Moor and Parkgate Lane; promoting public rights of way; and lobbying for improvements to bus and rail services and the town's stations.

As one of its aims for the next decade the council has pledged to work on improving green spaces around the town by developing a 'green space strategy'.

A Knutsford Community Climate Emergency Action Plan will also be drawn up 'to enable the whole community to work together in the fight against climate change'.

The council is also looking to increase provision of services, facilities and employment for young people across the town.

As part of its final objective of ensuring access to services and facilities, the council aims to understand the service needs of the community and lobby for their retention and where necessary increased provision.

Residents can read more online at knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/strategicplan or in Knutsford Library, The Welcome and the Market Hall.