Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is asked to formally adopt the Active Travel Masterplan.

Cllr Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, introduced the report, moved the officer recommendation and made the following points:

·  The Council declared a climate emergency in March 2019 and remains committed to enabling the district to be net zero by 2030.

·  Transport accounts for nearly a third of carbon emissions in B&NES.

·  Decarbonising transport is crucial for health and environmental benefits.

·  The Active Travel Masterplan sets out a 20-year vision to promote walking, wheeling, and cycling.

·  The aim is to make these modes of transport the natural choice for more journeys.

·  There is a comprehensive plan for interconnected walking, wheeling, and cycling routes.

·  The plan focuses on safety, reducing inequalities, improving air quality, tackling obesity, and reducing traffic congestion.

·  The target is to reduce car mileage by 25% per person.  Safe infrastructure is necessary to achieve this goal.

·  E-bikes make cycling more accessible, even for medium-length journeys.

·  The Plan identifies current barriers to active travel and proposes connected infrastructure and public education.

·  The Plan addresses the needs of residents without cars and ensures travel accessibility for all, regardless of income, age, gender, or physical ability.

·  Adoption of the masterplan as council policy will opens doors to external funding sources.

·  The next steps will be further analysis and prioritisation of proposed routes.

·  There will also be collaboration with West of England Combined Authority and Active Travel England.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Matt McCabe.  Cllr McCabe noted the difficulty of cycling and walking on country lanes between local villages which could be dangerous.  He felt that this scheme would assist those people who wished to be more active.

Cllr Alison Born stated that it is essential for the Council to invest in this project.  There are multiple benefits of active travel such as improving air quality, fitness, health and wellbeing.

RESOLVED unanimously:

To formally adopt the Active Travel Masterplan.