Agenda item

To receive the Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan update.

Ben Coleman and Rebecca Jones from PJA presented the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).  They said that the project would be focused on 3 main areas within the district; Saffron Walden, Great Dunmow and the A120 corridor. 

They said that there would be different strands of the project scope which included:-

·       Strategic Cycle Routes, which would look at longer distance cycle routes within key settlements.

·       Velo Villages to create better links from villages to local transport.

·       Active Travel Links which would look at the feasibility of increasing network coverage of walking and cycling within the district taking into account the existing infrastructure.

·       Quiet Lanes to calm and reduce the impact of vehicular traffic on rural locations.

Mr Coleman said that the current stage of the process was to gather information and data and to undertake their own analysis of demand.  He said that the results would then be translated into possible networks and site audits would be undertaken.  He said that finally the ideas would translate into designs and provide a prioritised list for walking and cycling within the district.  He said that this was expected to be completed by July 2023.

The Chair said that the Council had declared a climate and biodiversity emergency which was a key challenge.  She said that the main issue was to provide a genuine choice for sustainable travel and change behaviour away from car use, taking into account that the two largest towns did not have railway stations.   She said it was essential that cycle and walking routes linked to the main employment hubs, the largest of which was Stansted Airport, and to the train stations.

Mr Coleman said that there were other counties with similar problems who were working on similar projects.   He said that there was some optimism and the key was to provide choices. 

Councillor Gadd introduced himself and said that he had joined the meeting in his capacity as an Essex County Councillor and the Leader of Saffron Walden Town Council. 

He agreed to pass on the following information to PJA:-

·       The potential cycle schemes that had been prepared and were being reviewed by Essex County Council (ECC).

·       A strategic cycle route from Saffron Walden to Great Chesterford, linking into the research park and then connecting to Cambridge and the Genome centre.

·       Details of the old railway line from Saffron Walden to Ashdon and beyond that could be re-opened as a cycle path.

He said that ECC applied the Cycle Infrastructure Design Guidance, LTN120, without discretion and therefore it was not possible to have cycle routes in Saffron Walden due to the suggested guidance that cycle paths were 3 metres wide.  He said that ECC were also against applying a 20mph zone throughout Saffron Walden.   He asked that discretion was used within the project to allow for more flexibility, to allow cycle routes and to recommend that the 20mph speed limit was used more widely. 

Members discussed:-

·       The lack of safe walking and cycling routes from Stansted Mountfitchet and Birchanger to Bishops Stortford, and particularly the issue of crossing the A120.  The improvements at Junction 8 of the M11 which could provide a Pelican Crossing. 

·       The safety issues of cycling on ordinary routes and the key to wider usage of cycle routes by linking them safely to the guided bus route, Chesterford Retail Park and into Cambridge.

In response to Members questions the following comments were made:-

·       ECC had so far been supportive to the work being carried out on the LCWIP.

·       The National Cycling Network (NCN) did still exist and some sections went through Essex including the Flitch Way.  These networks had been set up either using signage or change to infrastructure, but the maintenance had largely been left to the responsibility of private owners which had varied in quality. 

·       There were plans to look at and improve the NCN routes. Ms Jones agreed to check as part of the review.

·       It was important to provide a choice and to fill in any gaps left by public transport.

·       There were some villages within the district that would be used to explore the Velo Village concept; Clavering, Newport, Felstead, Fitch Green and Bannister Green.  To investigate the feasibility of linking villages to public transport and to each other, to enable resource sharin and to look at improvements within villages to make them more walking and cycling friendly.  This piece of work was conceptual at the moment and had not started. 

The Principal Community Infrastructure Planner, New Communities, Uttlesford said:-

·       ECC was engaged with the LCWIP.

·       Maintenance was important and if projects went ahead that could not feasibly be taken on by developers, discussions would be needed to ascertain who was responsible for maintenance.  She agreed to take this up with ECC.

·       The July completion date for this work fed into the current Local Plan timetable which would provide more information on potential sites and growth areas.

·       The former railway lines could be used across the district at Thaxted and Ashdon to Saffron Walden.

Councillor Driscoll said he would provide details about the Birchanger cycle track and the maintenance issues to the Principal Community Infrastructure Planner, New Communities, Uttlesford .

Steve Essex from Transport Initiatives explained that he had a contract to look at the Flitch Way and its links.  He expected to complete this work within a month and would liaise with PJA to ensure that the 2 projects worked together to ensure work was not duplicated.