Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/46) seeking scheme and estimate approval for the East-West Cycle Route, to provide a high quality walking and cycling route along Ashburton Road, Newton Abbot,attached.     

(Councillors Biederman, Connett, Dewhirst, Hannaford and Hook attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/46) seeking scheme and estimate approval for the Newton Abbot (East-West) Cycle Route.

The scheme now proposed countenanced a shared use path to provide a high quality walking and cycling route along Ashburton Road, Newton Abbot, forming part of an extended, sustainable, transport corridor connecting existing and planned housing developments to the secondary schools, the railway station, local amenities, the Town Centre and the rest of the Town’s cycle network. The overview of the design was outlined at Appendix 1 to the report.

The Cabinet noted that Teignbridge District Council would be contributing to the cost of the scheme through the Community Infrastructure Levy in addition to s106 contributions from developers and further outlined the consultations that had taken place with Teignbridge District Council, Local Members and also residents.

The Head of Service’s Report also incorporated an Impact Assessment relating to the possible impacts of the proposal, which had been circulated previously for the attention of Members at this meeting in order that as part of its determination of the next steps in the process the Cabinet might have full regard to the responsibilities placed upon it to exercise its Public Sector Equality Duty, under s149 of the Equality Act 2010, where relevant.

The Assessment recognised that not only would the proposal contribute to reducing congestion but it would have a positive effect by providing improved, more accessible, routes for cyclists and non-motorised users, enable easier access for pedestrians to and across side roads, offer safer routes for young people attending schools in the vicinity, including access to public transport links, enable disadvantaged groups to gain access to training and employment opportunities, enable people of all ages to enjoy being active for leisure and sport, improve access to help people better connect with their communities and engage in social activities, contribute to physical and mental health and wellbeing among the older population by providing an active means of independent mobility and help tackle health problems, such as those associated with obesity and air quality.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, environmental impacts, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

It was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Clatworthy, and

RESOLVED

(a) that approval be given to the construction of the scheme shown on Plan number BB2300384 REV1 in Appendix to Report PTE/17/46 at an estimated cost of £1,450,000;

(b) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and local County Councillor, to approve minor changes to the scheme design.

[NB: The Impact Assessment referred to above may be viewed at:  http://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/].