Report of the Deputy Chief Executive

This report provides an update on investment in cycling infrastructure in Manchester, reviewing schemes completed through the first phase of the Cycle City Ambition Grant, summarising proposals currently being developed and, in the light of additional resources being made available through the Mayor’s Challenge Fund, proposes an approach that could inform the development of a pipeline of future schemes to encourage higher levels of walking and cycling.  

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive that provided an update on the investment in cycling infrastructure in Manchester, reviewing schemes completed through the first phase of the Cycle City Ambition Grant, summarising proposals currently being developed and, in the light of additional resources being made available through the Mayor’s Challenge Fund, proposed an approach that could inform the development of a pipeline of future schemes to encourage higher levels of walking and cycling. 

Officers referred to the main points and themes within the report which included: -

·         Describing these activities within a policy and strategy context;

·         An update on the schemes delivered to date;

·         An update on the schemes currently in development;

·         Describing the schemes identified for Phase 2 and how these were being developed, including an update on how schools would be connected to the cycle networks;

·         An update on the Mayor’s Walking and Cycling Challenge Fund and the development of the Beelines Network, an innovative new plan to create a city-region-wide cycling and walking network made up of more than 1,000 miles of routes, including 75 miles of Dutch-style segregated bike lanes; and

·         The strategic principals for developing future cycling and walking networks across the city.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         The lack of cycle lanes in the north and east of the city compared to the south of the city;

·         The need to improve both the bus and metrolink service to the north and east of the city;

·         The Rochdale canal footway should be improved to provide a cycle route to connect the north of the city to the city centre;

·         The report did not include any information on the provision of cycle storage or consideration as to the use of experimental traffic orders to encourage cycling;

·         Consideration needed to be given to illuminating cycling routes, like the Fallowfield Loop to ensure cyclists were safe;

·         An analysis of cycling journeys needed to be undertaken with consideration given to linking district centres together with cycle routes;

·         The timing of the Chorlton cycle lane consultation was inappropriate and an extension of two weeks was recommended;

·         Not enough printed material had been available for the Chorlton cycle lane consultation exercise;

·         Concern was expressed that the Chorlton Road corridor consultation exercise was not transparent, with the views of cyclists and residents being dismissed. 

The Lead Member for cycling and active travel said that the lack of cycle lanes in the north of the city was recognised. She said to address this the first principal for future investment schemes had been that the first schemes in a future pipeline should be in parts of Manchester yet to receive significant investment with a particular initial focus on the north of the city.

The Executive Member for the Environment responded to the comments regarding the Chorlton Road corridor consultation exercise. She explained that at this time it was not necessary to extend the period of the consultation, however she would review this when the consultation ended in January 2019. She advised that information had been viewed over 6000 times online; 487 formal responses had been received to date; a number of engagement events had been organised with two future community drop in events planned and printed material had been made available in the libraries and other public places. In addition to this she said the proposals for the scheme had been widely promoted on social media. 

A Member commented that the lessons learnt from the planning and delivery of previous schemes, such as the one in Didsbury needed to be learnt, stressing the importance of resident involvement in the design of schemes. The Chair further commented that the response rate to date appeared low considering the planned proposal and recommended that a report on the outcomes of the Chorlton Road corridorconsultation exercise, containing all of the responses be submitted to the Committee for consideration at an appropriate time.

In response to specific questions raised regarding proposals for Hyde Road, officers stated that they would discuss this with the Members outside of the meeting.

The Director of Operations (Highways) noted that decisions about schemes in Manchester were made by the Council although there is close working with the cycling commissioner and his team.

Decisions

The Committee: -

1. Recommend that the Executive Member for the Environment extends the Chorlton Road corridor consultation exercise for a period of two weeks following the 11th January 2019.

2. Requests that a report on the outcomes of the Chorlton Road corridorconsultation exercise, containing all of the responses be submitted to the Committee for consideration at an appropriate time.

3. Requests that Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner be invited to any future meeting when reports on the delivery of cycle schemes are to be considered.