Town reveals the results of survey

Sparta Town Manager Bryan Edwards noted the results of a pedestrian survey completed by more than 300 local residents revealed a “general perception that we need more and better sidewalks.”

Edwards stated, “We were very pleased with that amount of responses. We appreciate people taking the time to do that (to fill out the surveys).” He also added not all of the surveys were filled out in their entirety. Of the results, Edwards stated, “It confirmed what we felt were going to be important items.” The results were presented to the Sparta Planning Committee on Aug. 10.

“At our next meeting of the planning committee, we are going to look at where the sidewalks are,” Edwards said. “I think there will be some discussion as to where we will add sidewalks when we have the opportunity to do that. We hope by December to have a recommendation presented to the (Sparta Town) Council and that would give us time to start thinking of next year’s budget in terms of funding additional sidewalks and making improvements on existing ones.”

Prior to the next planning committee meeting, David Baird, the transportation planner for High Country Council of Governments, is slated to “do research on similar surveys and compare their results with ours,” according to Edwards.

The matter is also slated to be discussed at a public input session. However, as of presstime, there has been no date set for the session.

Survey Results

The survey is part of a planning process being financed through a matching grant from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The $16,000 Pedestrian Planning Grant was awarded to the town in October 2004 and requires a $4,000 local match.

According to the results of the survey from the town,. Of 295 responses, 87.5 percent had a car. Almost 87 percent, 86.6 percent, of 298 respondents use Alleghany In Motion. Of these, 19.5 percent use the services daily, 7.3 percent use the service two to four times a week, 24.4 percent use it once a week. The remaining 48.8 percent use AIM less than once a week. Of 289 responses, 78.3 percent noted walking as a means of exercise or recreation and 21.7 percent do not. Of these, 27.3 percent walk daily, 52.6 percent walk two to six times a week, 9.6 percent walk once a week and 10.5 percent walk less than once a week.

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