Agenda item

This report provides details of Medway’s provisional Cycling Action Plan 2014-2017, which is currently out for consultation.

Discussion:

The Committee received a detailed report on the Council’s provisional Cycling Action Plan 2014/17, which was currently out for consultation until 10 January 2013.

Following the consultation period, a final document would be produced and published in April 2014.

The following issues were discussed:

• Funding of projects

A member referring to the various funding references within the report stated that it would be helpful for members to receive a breakdown as to the costs associated with the various elements of the Cycle Plan and requested that this be provided to each member outside of the meeting. In response, the Head of Integrated Transport advised that the capital projects that arise from the action plan will be funded from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Block Allocation and Section 106 contributions where appropriate, and he agreed that this information can be supplied to members for information.

• Cleanliness of cycle paths

A member referred to the cleanliness of cycle paths and in particular the need to ensure the removal of broken glass.

• Various specific routes

A member suggested that further consideration be given to the route of descent for cyclists in Dock Road leading to Chatham Bus Station as this route was very narrow. Officers agreed to further consider this route.

A member also requested that consideration be given to the section of route in Shirley Avenue/Maidstone Road, Chatham through to Asda as this was not very wide and he had concern regarding egress by residents. He suggested that this site be looked at as to whether it was possible to channel the cycle path across the road. The Head of Integrated Transport advised that the Road Safety Team had assessed all recorded accidents and he was not aware of any accidents at this site, he agreed to look at this site again but commented that it was unlikely that a cyclist would cross the road to follow the cycle path. 

Concern was expressed regarding the provision of a cycle path in Wood Street in Gillingham as this road was very narrow. In response, the Head of Integrated Transport advised that a cycle path was already available in Prince Arthur Road and Dock Road and the proposed cycle path in Wood Street connected these together. Discussion ensued regarding the possible provision of the Wood Street cycle path being provided off carriageway.

A member referred to Maidstone Road in Rochester and expressed concern regarding the possible use of a cycle path which would run past an industrial estate heavily used by HGV’s. The Head of Integrated Transport advised that he would investigate this section of road but initially considered that it may fall within the area of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

Decision: 

The Committee considered and noted the provisional Cycle Action Plan and noted that Officers will undertake the following:

a)                 Consider increasing the cleaning of specific cycle paths to remove broken glass.

b)                 Provide briefing note on the funding elements of the various capital projects contained in the action plan.

c)                  Note concerns raised in respect of the safety of cycle paths in Dock Road Chatham, Maidstone Road, Rochester and Maidstone Road Chatham and Wood Street, Gillingham and further information on these paths be included as part of the briefing note referred to b) above.