Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/18) on the E4 Cycle Route (Phase 2) - Cycle and Pedestrian improvements on Pinhoe Road and Exhibition Way, Exeter, asking for approval to construct, attached.     

An Impact Assessment is also attached for the attention of Members at this meeting.

(Councillor Ackland 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/19/18) on the E4 Cycle Route (Phase 2) - Cycle and Pedestrian improvements on Pinhoe Road and Exhibition Way, Exeter in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The principle of a strategic cycle network for Exeter was endorsed by Cabinet on 8 June 2016 which agreed that work should continue with the development of the Network, giving priority to E4 cycle route (see Appendix 1) between Monkerton and the City Centre. The Report sought approval to construct an improved pedestrian and cycle route on Pinhoe Road and Exhibition Way, which in combination with other Cabinet-approved cycle schemes would complete approximately 2 miles of the E4 route between Redhayes bridge and Beacon Lane.

The County had a strong record of delivering pedestrian and cycle infrastructure and current routes were particularly well used and continued to increase.  Appendix 1 to the Report gave an overview of Exeter’s strategic cycle routes.

The E4 route between Redhayes Bridge (Monkerton) and the City Centre and the University’s Streatham Campus had been in four phases. Phase 1 had been completed in July 2018 (Cumberland Way and Pinhoe Road).  Cabinet approval had been given for Phase 3 in January 2019 (pedestrian and cycle bridge across Summer Lane), with construction scheduled for autumn 2019.  Planning permission for Phase 2a (path widening improvements along Exhibition Fields) had been granted and works were currently underway.

This Report related to Phase 2, a 530-metre section from the junction with Pilton Lane on Pinhoe Road up to the railway bridge on the northern end of Exhibition Way, completion of which would enable cyclists to have 2 miles of high-quality cycle route between Redhayes Bridge and the entrance to Betty’s Mead playing fields on Beacon Lane.  An overview of the design for the cycle and pedestrian route on Pinhoe Road and Exhibition Way was shown in Appendices 2A, 2B and 2C of the Report.

The Report further explained the proposals at Pinhoe Road (Appendix 2A), the Southern End of Exhibition Way (Appendix 2B) and the Northern end of Exhibition Way (Appendix 2C).

In terms of consultation, the Cabinet noted this began in early 2015 and involved discussions with Local Members, Exeter City Council, cycling groups, Cabinet and the wider public.  Through this process, the routes were agreed and prioritised and the approval to undertake design had been granted by Cabinet in 2016. Proposals had been presented to the Exeter HATOC. The outcomes of the public consultation have been published on the following website: www.devon.gov.uk/e4/

The overall construction cost of the proposal was estimated at £1,544,338, forming part of the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF) Government Grant package. The scheme would increase the attractiveness of cycling, walking and provide facilities for a range of other users. It would further allow better access to the parks in the area and reduce the growth of car use, carbon emissions and limit reduction of air quality.

The Head of Service’s Report contained an Impact Assessment circulated for the attention of Members at this meeting. This highlighted that the proposals met equality requirements in numerous ways, including improved routes for cyclists and other non-motorised users, easier access for those with prams and wheelchairs, enable disadvantaged groups to gain access to training and employment opportunities, enable people of all ages to be active and help people better connect with their communities as well as contributing to physical and mental health. No unimaginable impacts were highlighted and throughout construction, residents, local businesses and emergency services would be kept fully informed and the removal of two trees would be mitigated by replanting trees and vegetation in the area. Ecological surveys had been undertaken for areas where trees were to be removed and vegetation clearance was required.  No other protected species would be affected by the works. 

Cabinet finally noted that the proposals offered all user groups better quality facilities, segregated from traffic and provided linkages and progression of the route was key to seamlessly joining together other approved sections of the strategic cycle route. 

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability (including carbon impact), 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 Hart, and

RESOLVED

(a) that the construction of an improved pedestrian/cycle route on Pinhoe Road and Exhibition Way, as outlined in Appendices 2A, 2B and 2C, at an estimated cost of £1,544,338, be approved;

(b) that any Traffic Regulation Orders required be advertised and, if no objections are received, be made and sealed;

(c) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be given delegated powers, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and relevant local Members, to make minor amendments to the scheme details; and

(d) that the 2019/20 Planning, Transportation and Environment capital programme be increased by £70,000, funded by developer contributions.

[NB: The Impact Assessment referred to above may be viewed alongside Minutes of this meeting and may also be available at:  http://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/].