Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment.

The report details progress with the delivery of the Walking and Cycling Strategy and the wider commitment to active travel.

The Cabinet is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment (Councillor Mark Roberts) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing progress with the delivery of the Walking and Cycling Strategy and the wider commitment to active travel.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment stated the report outlined the work that was taking place across the borough but highlighted the challenge in the way that such work was funded, which was largely through piecemeal rounds of competitive funding bids.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides an update on the delivery of the Walking and Cycling Strategy and the wider commitment to active travel.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the delivery of the Walking and Cycling Strategy and the wider commitment to active travel.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment (Councillor Mark Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the scrutiny committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The proposal to develop a 5.6km pedestrian and cycle route along the A34 corridor as part of the A34 Major Roads Network (MRN) Corridor Improvement Plan was welcomed.  It was stated that following the announcement of £33.6m of government investment in the scheme, work was now taking place to develop a project plan.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the long-term sustainability of some schemes that were being implemented with recent controversy over the Cheadle Active Neighbourhood proposals and the School Street trial being highlighted as recent examples.  In response, it was stated that it was key that local communities were involved in the design of schemes from the outset and that the advantages were clearly highlighted.

·         It was important that there was a focus on being more ambitious as a council to achieve behavioural change that will increase the transition to active travel and that level of cultural shift could only happen through working with the community.

·         Further consideration needed to be given to the approach of the council in mitigating the unforeseen consequences of introducing new walking and cycling schemes, such as generating congestion at specific junctions.

·         There needed to be better publicity for the existing cycle routes around the borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted,