Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Members for Communities & Housing and for Economy & Regeneration.

This report provides an update on both the strategic framework underpinning the Council’s approach to cycling and walking, and the various programmes of work which are currently being delivered to further support cycling and walking across Stockport.

The report presents a proposed approach to develop a new cycling and walking strategy for Stockport, and presents an opportunity for a new bike share scheme.

The Cabinet is recommended to: 

·         Endorse the proposed approach to producing a new Cycling and Walking Strategy for Stockport

·         Delegate responsibility to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing, to approve the draft Cycling and Walking Strategy for use in public consultation.  

·         Endorse the proposed approach to coordinating the public consultation with the statutory consultation on the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) wherever possible.

·         Grant officers approval to further investigate, in partnership with MoBike, the feasibility of extending the Manchester/Salford Pilot scheme into Stockport, and delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Communities & Housing, and Economy & Environment, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with MoBike should the expansion be found to be feasible.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161-474-4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Cabinet Members for Communities & Housing and for Economy & Regeneration was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider and endorse the approach being taken to encourage walking and cycling, including the development of a new Strategy for Stockport.

Cabinet Members emphasised the interconnectedness of this Strategy with Public Rights of Way.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the proposed Cycling and Walking Strategy for Stockport

·         the proposed approach to producing a new Strategy be endorsed

·         the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing, to approve the draft Cycling and Walking Strategy for use in public consultation;

·         the proposed approach to coordinating the public consultation with the statutory consultation on the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) wherever possible be endorsed;

·         officers be authorised to further investigate, in partnership with MoBike, the feasibility of extending the Manchester/Salford Pilot scheme into Stockport, and authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Communities & Housing, and Economy & Environment, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with MoBike should the expansion be found to be feasible.

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

The report provides an update on both the strategic framework underpinning the Council’s approach to cycling and walking, and the various programmes of work which are currently being delivered to further support cycling and walking across Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the strategic framework underpinning the Council’s approach to cycling and walking, and the various programmes of work which were currently being delivered to further support cycling and walking across Stockport.

The report would be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting to be held on 3 October 2017.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A number of the projects on walking and cycling also affected equestrians. It was noted that the Council tended to support bridleways off road because of the opportunity for multi-use.

·         A Member requested confirmation when work on the Middlewood Way would commence.

·         A Member welcomed the introduction of Mobikes in Stockport.

·         Where there was more than one mode of transport it could lead to conflict, the potentially most dangerous of which was between cyclists and motor vehicles. Everyone needed to be encouraged to use shared routes responsibly.

·         The safety criteria for pedestrians along shared cycling and walking routes was raised.

·         The provision for non-vehicular access along the new section of the A6 in Hazel Grove would be open in the near future.

·         A Member questioned whether there were any plans by Manchester City Council to provide cycling routes along the A6 at the boundary with Stockport Council.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on both the strategic framework underpinning the Council’s approach to cycling and walking, and the various programmes of work which are currently being delivered to further support cycling and walking across Stockport.

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

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the strategic framework underpinning the Council’s approach to cycling and walking, and the various programmes of work which are currently being delivered to further support cycling and walking across Stockport.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to present the report and respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A discussion took place in relation the mandatory use of helmets when cycling.  It was suggested that the public should be encouraged to use helmets, and this should be reinforced through safety courses.  It was further noted that Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s Walking and Cycling Champion, had previously suggested that helmet use was one of the least important cycling safety measures and put people off taking up cycling. 

·         The investment in infrastructure needed to make cycling safe and attractive was significant.

·         The announcement that the mobike initiative currently in operation in Manchester would be extended to Stockport was welcomed.

·         There needed to be improved provision for cycle parking.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.