Agenda item

[To provide an overview of the current transport service activities related to Active Travel, including strategic policy direction, current funding priorities and schemes for delivery, and to highlight the existing political oversight for these activities].

The Service Manager for Transport Strategy opened the presentation explaining National Government policy for the implementation of cycling lanes throughout cities. They then addressed how the City of Wolverhampton Council was delivering on the policy. A Copy of the presentation is attached to the signed minutes. The Service Manager for Transport Strategy explained that cycling transport was accessible and, affordable for people; because of this the Council was keen to promote the uptake of cycling.

The Professional Lead for Transport Strategy City Housing & Environment began by explaining where main priority development roads were, in co-ordination with the other Black Country Network Local Authorities, for cycle lanes. Professional Lead for Transport Strategy City Housing & Environment informed the Panel that these developments were subject to national policy, with specific standards expected to meet the criteria for national funding. All major road developments required cycle lanes to be implemented alongside them and this needed to follow the set standards.

The Professional Lead for Transport Strategy City Housing & Environment set out that the Council was utilising the Active Travel fund money to build cycle lanes across the City and provided updates on completed as well as on going works across the City. The Cycle Hire Scheme had been taken up by residents since the scheme was launched, statistics show the useage. The Professional Lead for Transport Strategy City Housing & Environment noted the electric bikes were out performing the pedal bikes in hire uptake. Docks for bikes were currently located at the City centre end of the Wednesfield Road, at Springfield Campus and at New Cross Hospital, with an additional one in Heath Town planned.

Future oversight of cycling development aims were:

·         Proposal to make standing report to Climate Change Advisory Group

·         Look to convene an officer led forum to embed Active Travel discussions across service areas

·         Maintain the existing and well attended public Cycle Forum to encourage stakeholder input and encourage collaborative working.

·         Continue promotion through public champions in the form of Hugh Porter as Cycling Ambassador and Adam Tranter as the West Midlands Cycling and Walking Commissioner

A Panel Member enquired if data was available on how many loaned cycles accrued damages or were written off.

The Professional Lead for Transport Strategy City Housing & Environment answered that the company who managed the bikes who had that information which could be provided if required. He added that the company have advertised the fact that the bikes were particularly difficult to damage however.

A Councillor asked for more information on the Future oversight of cycling development, in particular the Officer led forum and the Cycle led forum, citing concerns about how the cycle paths may impact residential areas. He felt having that early engagement with the public was crucial to getting them on board.

The Professional Lead for Transport Strategy City Housing & Environment agreed with the Councillors point and explained that the Council would be using multiple methods to promote its consultation on the matter including social media, letters, and other communication methods to inform the public.

A Councillor stated they agreed cyclists should be encouraged, although he would prefer if they were kept away from the main roads. He said that recent data had shown that car usage had increased in the West Midlands and the City of Wolverhampton and did not want these developments to be at the expense of road users. He finished by asking if usage of the cycle lanes could be monitored so that the Council could be sure these schemes were beneficial to the public. 

The Professional Lead for Transport Strategy City Housing & Environment replied that the Department for Transport required Councils to measure usage of the cycle lanes to be able to access the funding. He confirmed they were monitoring and would continue to monitor usage.

The Councillor on the Board for Active Travel stated that rather than implement congestion charges on the City, they made the bold decision to choose to introduce the cycling lane network to help encourage the reduction in carbon emissions around the City. He explained the national policy setting strict criteria to gain funding for the project and added that it was done on a competitive basis, alongside hundreds of other local authorities. He stated he didn’t want people who want to take up cycling to work to compete with lorries on the road and by building these networks it meant they hadn’t had to ban buses and cars from areas. The Cabinet Member for City & Environment, Steve Evans, continued to praise the works being done and asked it to be recorded his thanks to the Officers for their work. He was supportive of equality of respect and access to all types of transport users.