Agenda item

The Cabinet member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport gave an introduction to the report and explained how the County was creating a modern integrated and co-ordinated transport network. The capacity of all forms of transport needed to be increased due to the County’s increased economy and population. Road capacity would be increased but at the same time alternative forms of transport would be made more attractive.

The report detailed the process for adopting local walking and cycling infrastructure plans which were linked to the active travel objectives in the LPT4. A bid had been submitted to the Department for Transport for almost £200,000 for the production of four plans around the County, a further plan had been developed using the Council’s resources, and further plans would be developed when funding became available.

The budget for walking and public rights of way had been doubled in the last year to over £1 million. £800,000 was also obtained from the Government’s active travel fund and the levelling up fund, and the major road improvement fund had been used to improve transport routes in the County for cyclists, pedestrians and cars.

A Member from outside the Cabinet commented that he was glad actions were being taken with regards to active travel but felt that it was nowhere near enough. He felt that at some point policies had to be introduced which would be detrimental to car users but they needed to be given a real alternative by improving walking, cycling and bus routes. This would tackle congestion as well as having environmental benefits. The Cabinet Member responded that although it would be good to reduce car usage it was important to encourage people to take actions rather than impose behaviours on people.

A question was asked about why the Upland Grove Park Bromsgrove link had been delayed until 2022. A written answer would be provided after the meeting.

It was commented that it was unclear what plans would be going out to public consultation and when that would be. The lack of a walking and cycling plan for Worcester City was also thought to be a huge gap and it was a bit premature to cite Kepax Bridge as an achievement as there was no infrastructure plan for Worcester City. There were also concerns about the use of the Canal towpath for cyclists as it had originally been designed for boats, now accommodated walkers and was a biodiversity corridor and had various problems for cyclists. It was hoped that cyclists would be involved in any consultations.

A point of clarification was made that the Worcester News had reported that the County Council were proposing to surface the Canal Tow Path between Worcester and Malvern. What was being proposed was a resurfacing of the canal towpath between Diglis and Sixways and secondly a bid had been put to the Department of Transport for capital funding for detailed design of the Worcester to Malvern cycle way.

Members of the Cabinet made the following comments:

·       The Cabinet Member and officers were commended for their work in this area.

·       Policies should not be introduced which were detrimental to car users. All forms of transport were being encouraged and coexistence should be encouraged. The level of investment was welcomed and Kepax Bridge, was felt to be of great benefit to the area.

·       One Cabinet Member felt it was great to see this report on the Cabinet agenda. He pointed out that future infrastructure plans were considering walking and cycling needs and new routes would then need to be linked up with the current infrastructure in the best way possible. It was also pointed out that the good quality of roads in the County helped cyclists.

The Leader concluded that although the report was about delegation it was important to understand Worcestershire’s excellent track record and levels of investment with regard to walking and cycling. All modes of transport were being improved at the detriment of none.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(a)  authorised the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport to approve individual Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans for public consultation and modification; and

(b)  authorised the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport to adopt individual Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans for implementation.