Issue - meetings

Cabinet approval is sought for the programme of cycle/pedestrian schemes

Councillor Caroline Roberts moved the proposals.  She emphasised the Cabinet’s view that walking and cycling could work well together and therefore the schemes were being considered as a whole.  She briefly introduced some of the schemes being proposed and recommended them to the Cabinet for adoption.

Councillor David Dixon seconded the proposal.  He referred to the success of the Two Tunnels project.  He asked if some consideration could be given to the repair of potholes in cycle tracks, which in his experience could cause damage and inconvenience to riders.

Councillor Paul Crossley referred to a suggestion he had received by tweet, asking for the Council to invest £16 per head for cycling infrastructure.  He responded that the Council continued to seek new ways to improve cycle and pedestrian schemes but that he was not able to give a cost per head.  He thanked Councillor Nigel Roberts, who had done some of the preparatory work on the proposals.

Councillor Tim Ball welcomed the proposals which would be money spent where it should be spent.  He felt that there was a need to de-clutter the pavements and asked that further thought be given to this.

Councillor Caroline Roberts summed up by saying that there were other funding sources which would be used to improve schemes such as Seven Dials.

On a motion from Councillor Caroline Roberts, seconded by Councillor David Dixon, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE the Funding Allocation breakdown across cycling and walking for 2014/15;

(2) To APPROVE the £250k budget for cycling and walking schemes for 2014/15 for which provisional funding approval was included within the Council’s February 2014 budget report;

(3) To DELEGATE the Divisional Director Environmental Services and the Service Manager Highways to alter the programme, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, as may prove necessary during 2014/15.  Any alterations will be within the overall budget allocation and take into account any additional funding streams that become available.