Agenda item

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

This report details the results of a consultation on the Mayor’s Challenge Fund proposals (A-I) below for improvements to:

A - A footpath linking Lowick Close with Hatherlow Lane;

B - Paths in Torkington Park;

C - Filter point on Mill Lane

D - Filter points on Wild Street;

E - Filter point on Neville Street;

F - The junction of Hazelwood Road and Torkington Road;

G - Footpath 77 from Sandown Road to the A6;

H - A crossing point on Chester Road close to Hazel Grove Station;

I - Minor improvements at Mill Lane / A6 / New Moor Lane junction and A6 / Mount Pleasant Toucan crossing.

The Area Committee is recommended to:-

(1) Note that following the consultation it is recommended to proceed with Proposals A,B,C,D,E,F,H & I.

(2) That it be recommended that Proposal G be reviewed in light of comments received to consider potential alternatives and those findings will be presented to a future meeting of this committee following further public engagement.

(3) Recommend that the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration gives approves the implementation of the schemes A,B,C,D,E,F,H & I described in this report and the legal advertising of the traffic regulation orders detailed within Appendix B of the report and, subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders.

(4) Give approval to the Bridleway Creation Order contained in Appendix B of the report.

Officer contact: Nick Whelan on 0161 474 4907 or email: nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the results of a consultation on the Mayor’s Challenge Fund (MCF) proposal for improvements to:

A - A footpath linking Lowick Close with Hatherlow Lane; 

B - Paths in Torkington Park;

C - Filter point on Mill Lane;

D - Filter points on Wild Street;

E - Filter point on Neville Street;

F - The junction of Hazelwood Road and Torkington Road;

G - Footpath 77 from Sandown Road to the A6;

H - A crossing point on Chester Road close to Hazel Grove Station;

I - Minor improvements at Mill Lane / A6 / New Moor Lane junction and A6 / Mount Pleasant Toucan crossing.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that recommendation (G) “Footpath 77 from Sandown Road to the A6”, would not be taken forward at this stage due to the concerns raised by local residents. However, improved solutions were being looked in to address the concerns that had been raised.

·         Concern was expressed as to whether the creation of new cycleways and footpaths would be successful in persuading people out of their cars due to the increasing number of cars on the roads. It was commented that the scheme had the full support of the Mayor of Greater Manchester and he had invested in the scheme which would encourage people to walk and cycle or use public transport accordingly.

·         Clarification was sought in relation to the ‘Flood Review’ results for the area that was being completed and if the findings of the review would be taken into account in terms of drainage when the cycle and walking paths schemes are being implemented. In response, it was commented that the findings of the review would be taken into account and departments would be working together and collectively.

·         Clarification was sought in relation to the tree replacement programme as part of the scheme and whether the replacement trees would be maintained. In response, it was commented that the Council’s Conservation and Arboricultural Officers would be involved in discussions for matters relating to the maintenance of the trees.

·         Clarification was sought in relation to (G) “Footpath 77 from Sandown Road to the A6”, regarding if the scheme was revised would it be re-submitted to the Area Committee for consideration. In response, it was commented that the scheme would be consulted on again and more widely following the concerns expressed with the scheme and would be re-submitted to the Area Committee for consideration.

·         Concern was expressed regarding (D) – “Filter points on Wild Street” and the narrowness of the road and the proposed restrictions in the scheme. In response, it was commented that no feedback had been received from local residents in the area regarding the proposals, but if it were to be implemented then it would be subject to the legal advertising which would allow for a further period of objection.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the availability of the funding for the scheme. In response, it was commented that it was a process of bidding for the funding and an allocation had already been made in principle with a business case due to be submitted in due course.

RESOLVED  - (1) That it be noted that proposal (G) - “Footpath 77 from Sandown Road to the A6” would be reviewed in light of comments received from local residents and that consideration would be given to potential alternatives with the findings being presented to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

(2) That approval be given to proposals A,B,C,D,E,F,H & I as detailed in the report and to the legal advertising of the associated package of Traffic Regulation Orders (as detailed in Appendix C of the report), insofar as they relate to Local Distributor and Local Access Roads within their purview, and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the Orders.

(3) That the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration be recommended to give approval to the proposals F,H & I as outlined in the report and to the legal advertising of the associated Traffic Regulation Orders (as detailed in Appendix C of the report), insofar as they relate to Strategic Highways and District Distributor Roads, and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days from the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders.

(4) That approval be given to the legal advertising of the proposed Permissive Shared Routes (as detailed in Appendix C of the report), and subject to the receipt of no objections within 21 days of the advertisement date, the subsequent making of the orders.