Issue - meetings

The proposal is to convert an existing footpath to a shared use track. A Cabinet decision is required to decide either to abandon the Cycle Track Order or refer it to the Secretary of State for confirmation

Julie Trollope (Chair, Bathwick Estate Residents’ Association) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 4 and on the Council's website] asked the Cabinet to consider the risks of making the narrow passageway shared use.  She had concerns about the safety of pedestrians and cyclists because of the hazards along the route.

Cynthia McNally (Bathwick Estate Residents’ Association) reminded the Cabinet that the passageway was busy for much of the day and asked them to refuse to convert it to shared use.

Alun Morgan in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 5 and on the Council's website] explained that shared use would be a hazard to both pedestrians and cyclists.  He asked Cabinet not to agree the proposals.

Hugh Dowson in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 6 and on the Council's website] made a number of observations about safety, consultation and consideration for other users.  He asked the Cabinet to satisfy themselves about all these issues before taking the step to make the path shared use.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones in an ad hoc statement said that he approved of the alternatives to car use but said that there was a perceived hierarchy which put pedestrians first and cyclists second; so he hoped that cyclists would dismount to show consideration to pedestrians.  He was concerned that the path exited straight onto a pavement at both ends.

Councillor Tim Warren in an ad hoc statement stressed that the path was too narrow to be shared use.

Councillor Roger Symonds in proposing the item, said that the proposal was for shared use, not as a cycle path.  There had originally been a petition of 100 signatures asking for it to be designated as shared use.  He observed that both the ward Councillors were supportive of the proposals.  He referred to the comments made by a number of people about the width, and said that the 3 feet width was guidance only.  Before recommending the path for shared use, the highway engineers had fully considered all the safety issues.  He referred to appendix 2 of the report, which gave the consultation results.

Councillor David Dixon said that he was pleased to second the proposal.  It had been requested by local residents who had submitted the original petition.  He asked Councillor Symonds however to ensure that the pathway would be resurfaced.

On a motion from Councillor Roger Symonds, seconded by Councillor David Dixon, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To REFER the Cycle Track Order to the Secretary of State for confirmation.