Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a Notice of Motion referred to it by Council on 9 November 2017 urging the Council to invest in improvements to walking and cycling.  The details were set out in the report.

In the ensuing discussion, the following main points were made:

·       The proposer of the Notice of Motion confirmed how important it was to prioritise walking and cycling. Walking and cycling were getting more funding than occurred in the past but that was just as a proportion of higher spending on highways in general and there was a concern whether it would continue. An increase in spending to £10 per head per year on walking and cycling would bring a speedy return on investment and huge economic, social and health benefits. The Economy and Environment Scrutiny Panel were also calling for increased spending on cycling. The £10 should be a base line rather than an aim

·       The seconder of the motion highlighted that the LTP4 stated that the needs of pedestrians should be considered first, cyclists second and then public transport and other vehicles. The current £6million spend was a start but it was not the solution

·       The Cabinet Member for Highways responded that the Council was fully aware of the benefits of walking and had shown its commitment by doubling the spend in that area in the last five years. Spend per head was now at almost £9 per head. He felt the motion had the arbitrary £10 figure and was working backwards to spend it regardless of future budget or demand. Engagement with the community had shown that the top concern was congestion on the roads. Lots of schemes had been supported in the last few years which supported walking and cycling and the Council had nearly achieved its aim of having the quality of its pavements in the top quartile nationally

·       The Cabinet Member for Economy and Infrastructure pointed out that he could not find evidence of where the Conservative Party had backed the £10 per head target as asserted in the notice of motion. He went on to acknowledge that although the roads had been well cleared there was an issue with icy pavements and hoped something could be done to allay householders' fears of being sued if they cleared pavements outside their houses.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services agreed to re-issue guidance to parish councils which was sent a few years ago stating the County Council's view that as long as people improved the situation and used common sense then they shouldn't be worried about being liable for any injuries.  A request was made that this guidance also be sent to schools.

·       Cabinet members were concerned about the safety of cycling and it was mentioned that cycle paths should be put in the right place, preferably away from roads

·       The Cabinet Member for the Environment agreed that walking and cycling provided health benefits apart from when it was done in congested traffic

·       The Leader pointed out that the Council supported all modes of transport and spend on walking and cycling had increased from £4 per head in 2013/14 to nearly £9 in 2017/18 and the right road and pavement schemes were supported in the budget.

RESOLVED:  that

(a)            the Notice of Motion set out at paragraph 3 of the report be rejected but the importance of walking and cycling for transport and their value in improving health and well-being be acknowledged; and

(b)            the commitment made to Active Corridors set out in the Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) be maintained and it be ensured that Local Planning Authorities make appropriate provision for Active Corridors through the Local Development Plan process.