Agenda item

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, (CET/23/35) seeking approval for construction of the Rifford Road two-way cycle track in Exeter, attached.

An Impact Assessment has been prepared which is attached to this agenda and is also is available on the Council’s website at https://www.devon.gov.uk/impact/rifford-road-two-way-cycle-track-impact-assessment-december-2022/

Following approval of the relevant Traffic Regulation Orders by the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) on 16 January 2023, approval is sought from Cabinet to construct a two-way cycle track.

RESOLVED

(a) that approval is given to construct the Rifford Road two-way cycle track in Exeter, as shown in Appendix 1 of the Report, at an estimated cost of £1,700,000; and

(b) that the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Local Member be given delegated power to approve minor changes to the scheme.

Councillors Biederman, Brazil and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, (CET/23/35) which sought approval for construction of the Rifford Road two-way cycle track in Exeter, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The new two-way (bidirectional) cycle track along Rifford Road in Exeter would form a crucial part of the north/south strategic cycle route E12.  The scheme would further complement aspirations to boost physical activity in one of the city’s highest areas for inactivity and poor health by enabling more people to walk, wheel, scoot, and cycle for everyday journeys in the city.

Route E12 was illustrated in Fig 1 of the Report. The proposed route intersected with strategic route E9 which was an east – west cycle route that ran from Pynes Hill via Ludwell Lane and Dryden Road to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and on to the city centre.

The proposal was for a new 700 metre two-way cycle path along the east side of Rifford Road between its junction with Honiton Road and Ludwell Lane as well as measures that made easier and more comfortable for people to walk or use wheelchairs on Rifford Road.  A full scheme drawing was shown in Appendix 1 and the Report detailed the various sections of the route and the proposals for these (Honiton Road to Quarry Lane, Quarry Lane to Ludwell Lane and Ludwell Lane Roundabout).

A public consultation on the scheme proposal had been held during March and April 2022 and the full consultation report was available to view here – https://www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/consultations/rifford-road-cycle-track/

The headline outcomes of the consultation were outlined in the Report at section 5.

The scheme was well aligned with a range of the Strategic Plan priorities by improving the environment to enable more walking, cycling and encourage more sustainable lifestyles. The table in the Report summarised how the proposals would impact achievement of relevant Strategic Plan actions according to a seven-point scale.

The overall cost of the scheme was estimated to be £1,700,000 which formed part of Active Travel Fund Tranche 3 from the Department for Transport, which had funded a number of other sections of route E12, E9 and E3 over the last 2 years. The financial year profile and funding sources were set out at section 7.

An Impact Assessment had been prepared which was attached to the Report and was also available on the Council’s website at https://www.devon.gov.uk/impact/rifford-road-two-way-cycle-track-impact-assessment-december-2022/

The Impact Assessment noted the potential to advance equality of opportunity for those without access to a car, by enabling and giving enhanced priority to people walking, cycling, and wheeling. 

In summary, the scheme would enable a scheme that would segregate pedestrians from cyclists, and cyclists from vehicles, on a busy transport corridor.  It further focussed on the Council’s progress with enabling more active travel and a modal shift away from the private car aligning with the Climate Emergency declaration and aims in the adopted Exeter Transport Strategy. The route was further being delivered in an area identified in work with Sport England where there was a need to increase levels of physical activity. 

The matter having been debated and the options and alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, environmental and sustainability), risk management, equality and legal considerations and alignment with the Council’s Strategic Plan) set out in the Director’s Report having been considered:

it was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED

(a) that approval is given to construct the Rifford Road two-way cycle track in Exeter, as shown in Appendix 1 of the Report, at an estimated cost of £1,700,000; and

(b) that the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Local Member be given delegated power to approve minor changes to the scheme.