Agenda item

Cabinet Portfolio: - Jobs and the Local Economy   

Strategic Directorate: - Regeneration and Environment

Consideration was given to a report that was submitted for pre-decision scrutiny ahead of the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 22 March 2021 regarding the proposed Rotherham Cycling Strategy 2021. The Assistant Director - Planning, Regeneration and Transport and the Interim Head of Transport Infrastructure attended the meeting to present the report.

The Assistant Director – Planning, Regeneration and Transport in introducing the report stated that the report set out the development of a Cycling Strategy that built on the Council’s ambition to promote cycling and active travel in the Borough. The Assistant Director advised that increased levels of cycling would have a positive impact on health and well-being, the economy and the environment. The Assistant Director noted that the proposed strategy would not only deliver improvements to the Council’s existing cycle network but also set out the Council’s ambitions and objectives for investing in and expanding Rotherham’s cycling provision. The Interim Head of Transport Infrastructure noted that a wide-ranging consultation process would take place on the draft strategy.

The draft strategy that was proposed for consultation was attached as appendix to the officer’s report.

Members noted the problem of parked vehicles obstructing cycle lanes and how this behaviour both made using them difficult and also discouraged people from using them. Members noted with concern how many cycles lane across the Borough ended abruptly and then forced cyclists to re-join the main road with little prior warning and asked whether there were plans to make cycle lanes continuous wherever was possible. The Interim Head of Transport assured members that it was the ambition of the Council to make cycle lane infrastructure continuous and fully integrated as possible and that the activity that would be driven by the strategy would help the to achieve this objective. The Interim Head of Transport noted however that this ambitious objective would take time to be fully realised.

Members asked whether work had been done to assess how well used the existing cycle lanes in the Borough were. The Interim Head of Transport noted that there was currently little monitoring activity on the usage of cycle infrastructure in the Borough but advised that it was planned to introduce technological solutions on some cycle lanes and paths in the future that would monitor usage. The Interim Head of Transport noted that the number of cycle journeys completed in Rotherham was below the national average and that the strategy would focus activity that would increase the number of cycle journeys completed. Members asked for further information on the activity that was currently carried out regarding cycling safety and promoting cycling with young people. The Interim Head of Transport advised that this activity was carried out and that plans for its continuation and development were included in the draft strategy.

Members noted that the overall objectives of the strategy were slightly vague and asked whether these would be developed as part of the planned consultation process. The Interim Head of Transport advised that the consultation would feed into the further development of the strategy and its main objective of increasing the number of people cycling.

Members noted the detailed discussions on developing cycling in Rotherham that had taken place at the Improving Places Select Commission and requested that schemes be looked at get more people cycling such as discounts and offers on bikes and safety equipment.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director - Planning, Regeneration and Transport and the Interim Head of Transport Infrastructure for attending the meeting and answering member questions.

Resolved: -

1.    That Cabinet be advised the recommendations be supported.

2.    That further consideration be given to how council staff and elected members can be supported and encouraged cycle more.

3.    That the Improving Places Select Commission continues to monitor the development of the Cycling Strategy and the development of cycling uptake infrastructure in Rotherham.