Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/21/3), attached.

(Councillor Hall declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being the Chairman of Cloakham Lawn Sports Centre where part of the Sustrans Cycle Way shouldered the boundary of the Charity’s land.)

(Councillor Hughes and McInnes attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(1) and spoke to this item at the invitation of the Committee.)

(Councillor Hosking attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item.)

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/21/3), which provided an update on the County’s active travel plans, namely reporting on progress in delivering the Cycling and Multi-Use Trail Strategy; updates on national policy and funding initiatives relating to walking and cycling; and looking ahead to how this might impact on the planning and prioritisation of future infrastructure schemes.

The Council had a strong track record in delivering walking and cycling infrastructure, with over £20m invested in a range of urban and rural leisure schemes across the County over the past five years. 

Government policy was changing and there was a drive to raise the ambition for increasing active travel in the interests of health, the environment, and the economy. 

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment’s presentation included:

-       The completed schemes in Exeter, Barnstaple and Newton Abbot that had been delivered with the benefit of grant funding;

-       Proposed schemes included completing the gaps in the Devon Coast to Coast on the Tarka Trail and Ruby Way; and progressing links between Seaton and Colyford and between Sidmouth and Feniton;

-       The new Department for Transport, Gear Change document which set out a new bold vision for cycling and walking, and the design principles in the DfT guidance on Cycle Infrastructure Design; and

-       Applied suggestions so far included, segregation infrastructure/priority side road crossings; on-road treatments; and modal filters.

-       Welcome news that local community funding sources had been found to begin feasibility work to extend the Moretonhampstead to Chagford route, which was similar to the approach taken in other parts of the County, including in Ivybridge and the Boniface Trail between Crediton and Exeter.

Discussion points with Officer and Members covered:

-       The Ivybridge to Bittaford local initiative where policy was needed to empower local groups to promote active travel and aid funding to move forward;

-       The local aspiration for the Exe Valley trail to be extended to Bampton to enable a route all the way to Exeter; and for cycle routes in rural areas;

-       Local Member support for the extension of the Wray Valley trail from Moretonhampstead to Chagford (see Minute *212);

-       The need to get local routes included in District Local Plans which in turn would provide opportunities for further funding; and

-       The importance of applying 20mph speed limits in certain areas.

It was MOVED by Councillors Dewhirst, SECONDED by Councillors Colthorpe and Atkinson respectively and

RESOLVED that

     (a)   that Cabinet be asked to develop policy which supports local people to develop and realise cycle and multi-use trails in local areas and to include scrutiny where appropriate in the development of policy; and

     (b)   that Cabinet include consideration of the 20mph areas in positive active travel strategies.