Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.  

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

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report. 

Officer contact: Mark Glynn 0161 474 3700 | mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members noted that ‘Walk Ride Greater Manchester’ had written to the council on a number of the points raised within the Walking and Cycling Update Report. It was reported that the council would provide a response to Walk Ride Greater Manchester and the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services undertook to provide Members with a copy of that response.

·         Members asked whether an analysis had taken place to establish whether the Markets and Underbanks active travel scheme had met its stated aim to improve experience for residents and businesses. In response it was stated that the scheme was scheduled to go live within a few weeks’, following which a formal analysis would be expected after one year.

·         Members asked about the availability of disabled parking access at the market. In response it was stated that no disabled parking bays had been removed in that area and that blue-badge parking holders were able to park on double-yellow lines. The area itself was constrained and disabled parking would be looked at.

·         It was further reported that conversations about emergency vehicle access at the market with the market manager were ongoing.

·         In terms of funding walking and cycling schemes within the borough, central government had reduced funding for active travel which had impacted on the funding available in Stockport.

·         Members suggested that the council should have schemes ready to implement in order to take advantage of any funding which might become available. In response it was stated that the council had several schemes drawn up and that it had to prioritise those schemes which were most likely to be successful in bidding rounds.

·         Members welcomed funding to improve access to non-inclusive paths and it was reported that Stockport was the first council in the country to have a policy on the accessibility of paths.

·         It was reported that funding for cycle lockers at train stations was limited, however discussions related to them were ongoing.

·         It was reported that the application to the Secretary of State for a Designation Order to obtain moving traffic enforcement powers to allow Stockport Council to take on powers to manage moving traffic contraventions had been submitted in October 2023 and that a decision was expected in Spring of 2024. Should the application be granted, the council planned to use its powers at relevant sites.

·         The viability of utilising powers to manage moving traffic on school streets would be considered, however these schemes were reliant on volunteers.

·         Members welcomed plans for a cycling network across the borough which would encourage cycle use. However, concern was expressed about the cycle network in two areas; the A555 link between High Lane and Middlewood Way and the A6 going towards Stockport Town Centre where there were problems related to land acquisition.

·         In response it was stated that the creation of a borough-wide walk cycle network was a long process and that work was ongoing. Schemes currently under review included those in Hazel Grove and around Greek Street.

·         The business case for the School Lane/Heaton Chapel/A6 scheme remained in development and was likely to be completed within six months.

·         Members emphasised the need to the council to continue its work to link walking and cycling routes across the borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.