Agenda item

To consider the draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

The Committee considered a report, set out in agenda pages 91 to 114, which set out the draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

The report outlined that the development of a LCWIP would best place Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) to secure any government funding that became available through a series of bid ready projects prepared for submission in addition to ensuring that necessary funding can be secured via developers and other funding sources.

Paul Fishwick (Executive Member for Active Travel, Highways and Transport), Chris Easton (Assistant Director – Highways), and Robert Curtis (Transport Planning Team Manager) attended the meeting to answer member queries.

During the ensuing discussions, members raised the following points and queries:

·         It was noted that the consultants commissioned to support the consultation stated that this was a good level of response for an initial consultation, whilst detailed consultation would be undertaken for each scheme as and when they came forwards;

·         There was a concern that the complexity of the consultation and its associated documents had led to additional negative comments for schemes that were otherwise in demand by the community. How would this be improved in future consultations? Executive Member and officer response – A real effort was made to inform residents that these were high level ideas and further consultation on the specifics would be forthcoming. This would be a live document which would be updated on a regular basis;

·         Had allowances been made for people with mobility issues who would require vehicular transport? Executive Member response – There would always be people who needed to travel by private vehicle, and transferring other journeys to modes of travel such as walking and cycling would free up the road for those who needed to use it;

·         With regards to the proposal to remove the roundabouts on nightingale Road, when would the public know a final decision? Executive Member response – These were purely high-level ideas, and the consultation included a free text box which allowed respondents to identify particular issues and concerns. If, after assessment by officers, comments indicated a particular issue for example the removal of the roundabouts, this could be considered in greater detail. The final document would be produced and adopted in February 2023, which would enable bidding to Active Travel England to commence. Detailing of particular priority routes could then be commenced, followed by lesser priority schemes. Routes which were prioritised would have design work undertaken, and those designs would go out for consultation;

·         How might schemes which arose outside of the LCWIP be considered? Executive Member response – If a scheme arose which had not been included currently, this could be considered as part of the ongoing review of the live LCWIP document;

·         Were the proposals ambitious enough, and should more potential schemes have been included within the consultation? Executive Member response – An assessment tool would outline the schemes of most benefit to the community;

·         With regards to the scheme in Earley, it was noted that all of the schemes within Earley had been included in this category. Specific comments for individual schemes could now be analysed and assessed;

·         How much money from bids was expected to cover the costs of these schemes? Executive member response – The goal was to secure one hundred percent of funding via bids, with supporting money from developer contributions alongside some capital funding. Funding from Active Travel England needed to be the primary funding source, whilst other Local Authorities had secured nearly one hundred percent of their funding from bids with small top-ups from developer contributions;

·         Were ideas including mapping out local points of interest and walking and cycling times being considered? Executive Member response – Cycle routes were calculated in minutes at a speed of 9MPH, with walking routes calculated at 3MPH. A strategic approach was required to facilitate distribution of such information across the Borough;

·         How were the next tranche of works being prioritised? Executive Member response – Specific categories were set out on agenda page 108, whilst agenda page 107 gave a snapshot of prioritised schemes;

·         What were the best ways to identify unfinished rights of way and get them actioned? Executive member response – Concerns with unfinished rights of way could be raised directly with the highways team to ascertain who was responsible and to ensure that they were being linked to the correct locations;

·         Were future provisions being made for E-Scooters should they become legal within the Borough? Executive Member response – Officers would need to take direction from Government on this issue. Data from the University of Bristol had found that for every 2 bicycle journeys undertaken 1 E-Scooter journey was also undertaken. This was a very popular mode of transport especially amongst younger people, whilst active travel routes with segregated cycle ways would be ideal rather than use of the pavement;

·         Did the LCWIP include cycle routes to school which would promote safe cycling to schools? Executive Member response – Safe routes to school was part of the route prioritisation process, whilst some schemes within the LCWIP included routes to schools;

·         It was commented that secure bike lockers in key locations would be appreciated;

·         The Committee resolved to establish a Task and Finish Group, to meet in late January and early February of 2023, to consider the final draft of the LCWIP.

RESOLVED That:

1)      Paul Fishwick, Chris Easton, and Robert Curtis be thanked for attending the meeting;

2)      The Executive Member and officers consider comments raised by the Committee when developing the final draft of the LCWIP;

3)      A Task and Finish Group be established, to meet in late January and early February of 2023, to consider the final draft of the LCWIP.