Agenda item

To consider a report from Walk Ride GM & Walk Ride Stockport responding to the call for evidence and questions posed by the Scrutiny Review Committee.

The Scrutiny Panel is recommended to comment upon the report.

Members of Walk Ride GM and Walk Ride Stockport (WR Groups) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) responding to the call for evidence.

Members of the WR Groups attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         WR Group members were utilitarian cyclists, using their bikes for commuting, shopping and short journeys.

·         An ambition of the WR Groups was to ensure that Stockport thrived, was healthier and had cleaner air. Whilst there had been some improvement, group members felt that there was still a lot yet to be done. Group members felt that Stockport was lagging behind other GM authorities and it wanted to help make Stockport a better place to cycle.

·         WR Group members felt there were many barriers on the Stockport cycling route and questioned whether it amounted to a network. Group members commented on the importance of a network plan and in involving cyclist in the development of that plan. The group advocated for a drawn network plan for Stockport, similar to that which existed for Manchester City.

·         WR Group members opined that Stockport’s consultation on cycling had appeared to be a ‘box-ticking exercise’ and there had been little apparent link between consultation and action.

·         Group members had seen good quality consultations from Manchester which had included maps, pinned locations and had asked what people would like to see before any decisions had been made. The Manchester consultation had also used an app. Group members also referred to the consultation on the Chapel Street East scheme in Salford.

·         Group members also referred to the approach taken by Trafford Council where there had previously been a poor relationship between the council and cycling lobby groups. Trafford Council had changed its approach and employed a more strategic, data-driven approach with clear targets and helpful communication.

·         It was important to be aware of inequalities; less well-off areas often had poorer air quality and stood to gain more from active travel measures. It was further noted that, statistically, areas where more children were seriously injured or killed on roads were those with the lowest levels of car ownership.

·         Active Travel England was a useful source of guidance in handling messaging on active travel routes.

·         Improvements to the data on cycling in Stockport was suggested.

·         There was a need for data on women cycling in Stockport in order to understand why women were less likely to cycle. It was noted that women were more likely to cycle where the infrastructure was good; and less likely to allow their children to cycle where the infrastructure was poor. It was important to set targets and encourage women to cycle.

·         The barriers for families and children to use active travel to commute to school cited as being a fear of drivers and dangerous driving in particular.

·         The council was optimistic about the Vision Zero strategy – a statement of intent around road safety with an ambition to reduce the numbers of those killed or seriously injured on Greater Manchester roads to zero.

·         There had been improvements to local School Street schemes within the borough. It would be useful to make the entire journey to school safe for children. The Greater Manchester Mayor had committed to deliver 100 school street schemes, backed by a £120,000 funding pot.

·         It would be useful for Stockport Council officers to attend meetings of the Stockport Walk Ride Forum.

·         Group members commented that they would like to see improvements in Stockport on crossings and junctions. The introduction of cyclops crossings was welcomed. The expansion of the 20 mph zones around quieter roads was also welcomed.

·         It was suggested that the council could consider active travel routes along high traffic routes, for example a route from Stepping Hill Hospital to the Town Hall would help to transport residents to the hospital.

·         The ambition to shift short journeys to walking and cycling was not being realised in Stockport; the uptake of cycling had reduced in the borough.

·         The use of bus stop by-passes had involved stakeholder engagement with members of the Royal National Institute for the Blind which had considered accessibility issues.

·         It was noted that 18 per cent of the population identified as disabled. The use of ebikes and adaptive bikes enabled those with disabilities to travel and were particularly useful for those unable to use public transport. Stockport could do more to enable people to access those types of bikes and create safe places for them to park. Pavement parking was a barrier to ebike users.

·         Cycling UK delivered a free ebike loan scheme.

·         Members thanked WR Group members for their attendance and contribution to the discussion.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.