Agenda item

Attending for this Item were County Council Officers:

Andy Baker, Transport Planning Manager

Martin Rowe, Transport Strategy Team Leader

Matthew Fung, Public Health Consultant

In addition County Cycling Group Representatives had been invited to the meeting to participate in the discussion.

By way of introduction, the Chairman explained that during the previous Administration and as part of the consultation process, the Panel had discussed the Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) at its January 2017 meeting.  At the time, the Panel had made some comments in relation to cycling.

It was reported that LTP4 was now being finalised and was due to be presented to Cabinet in November 2017. 

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

·         Safety of cyclists on the A46 near Evesham was a particular concern for Panel Members in the previous discussion and Members sought an update.  It was explained that this project was jointly managed by Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire County Councils who were jointly seeking extra funding from Central Government to address concerns.  There was a risk that cycling might be prohibited along the A46 in future in which case alternative provision would be needed and Officers were working to ensure Worcestershire's needs were met.  However, work being undertaken now on a "whole corridor" study would take time to come to fruition

·         When a category of road was upgraded, for example to an expressway, the cycleway was completed at the same time, as per current Government guidance

·         There had been a lack of consistent funding from Central Government for cycling, however, the 'Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy' published by the Department for Transport was a positive development in policy

·         Members queried how proposals in the strategic LTP4 were achieved.  It was suggested that some positive initiatives contained in past plans had failed to come to fruition.  Officers explained that major funding could be inconsistent and time limited.  The Plan was also a positive document as it was committing the Council to progress Active Travel Corridors in and through the County

·         It was noted that cycling nationally was worth around £2.9billion to the British economy and in Worcestershire it boosted the local economy by around £5million

·         One Member noted that the County Council did not specifically identify any budget for cycling, however, funding bids were submitted throughout the financial year.  One recent example was given for the Bromsgrove area, which was identified by Officers as being the most poorly provided area in Worcestershire

·         Feasibility studies were undertaken to ensure that future projects were 'shovel ready' if and when funding bids were successful.  There was suggestion that studies did build hopes and everyone agreed that could be case.  Officers felt it was beneficial to prepare schemes as funding opportunities often came with tight deadlines and it would be unfortunate to pass over an opportunity

·         In response to a query about Section 106 money, Officers agreed that they could be more rigorous in their funding requests

·         Members asked for detail on how much funding was currently available through Section 106 for cycling.  Officers would follow up after the meeting

·         Members suggested that there was a direct link to the take up of cycling and the cost of car parking, whereby if parking rates were high, cycling was a feasible option if there were safe cycling routes

·         One Member enquired about safe access to the new development at Worcester Six and the Panel learned that funding had been allocated for a footbridge to link the site to the local housing developments.  Members were encouraged by this venture

·         When asked, Officers reported that accident rates whilst cycling were actually low, despite it being perceived as a dangerous pursuit

·         It was clarified that spend on cycling in 2017/18 was £561,000, which was artificially low due to factors such as Brexit

·         One Member asked if the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) was involved, to be informed that they were increasingly so especially with large schemes such as Worcester Parkway Station.

The Health and Well-being Strategy 2016-2021 had three overarching priorities:

-       Improving mental health and well-being

-       Increasing physical activity

-       Reducing the harm caused by alcohol.

It was felt that active travel led to healthy lifestyles and it was reported that around two-thirds of Worcestershire residents were physically active.  This figure was good in comparison to other parts of the West Midlands and similar to the England average.  It was believed that a behaviour change was required, however Public Health welcomed the support which was being provided  

Cycling Representatives were invited to comment on the discussion and made the following key points:

·         It was suggested that there was a lot of 'quick wins' with which the Council would benefit, such as pathway improvements.  Simple maintenance and moss removal would enable new riders, or those lacking in confidence, to ride more safely

·         Cycle tourism would generate more income, especially as links to neighbouring areas, such as Oxford or Stratford were in easy reach

·         A closer working relationship between cycling representatives and the County Council was suggested.  It was felt that better communication could improve the condition of cycleways longer term as issues could be reported directly and potentially acted upon in a more timely manner.  In addition, a forum could assist with any upcoming consultations

·         It was reported that a minimum of £10 per head was acknowledged as the best amount to promote and sustain cycling in accordance with best practice.  In Worcestershire, the figure spent was much lower than this.

The Panel was surprised that currently there was no specific budget for cycling in the Council plan.  It was agreed to recommend to the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board that it should request that a specific amount should be included in the 2017/18 financial year for cycling and that a budget for cycleway improvements be ring fenced for future years to ensure continued focus on this.