Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

1.    To note the consultation responses and subsequent findings.

2.    To adopt the Rotherham Cycling Strategy.

Consideration was given to the report which provided an analysis of the consultation responses received in relation to the Rotherham Cycling Strategy and detailed the resulting revisions to the Strategy which was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The Council aimed to provide a well-maintained and attractive cycle network to encourage cycling which was a high priority across Rotherham and South Yorkshire. There had been a significant increase in the role of Active Travel to address a range of policy aims from carbon reduction to health and wellbeing outcomes, especially improvements to mental health as well as more recently its role in the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This had brought cycling and provisions to enable active travel into sharp focus.

The draft Rotherham Cycling Strategy had been produced in early 2021 and approved for public consultation by Cabinet in March 2021. The consultation took place between 2nd July and 27th August, 2021, and 86 responses were received. The findings of the consultation were reported in Appendix 2 and summarised in paragraph 2.3 of the report.

The report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as part of the pre-decision scrutiny process and they noted and agreed with the recommendations. However, they asked that further consideration be given to how all residents across the Borough could be encouraged to start cycling and to cycle safely by providing facilities that enabled residents to hire cycling equipment such as cycles, cycle helmets and child seats. They also asked that further consideration be given as to how all residents across the Borough, and in particular families, could have better access to green spaces by cycle in order to enable them to be able to cycle in a safe and traffic free environment. The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board also advised Cabinet that whilst they supported the draft Cycling Strategy and noted the limitations in funding, further consideration should be given to how the Cycling Strategy could be developed further in order to make cycling accessible and appealing to all residents across the Borough.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the consultation of subsequent findings;

2.    Adopt the Rotherham Cycling Strategy (2021);

3.    Agree with the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board that further consideration be given to how all residents across the Borough could be encouraged to start cycling and to cycle safely by providing facilities that enable residents to hire cycling equipment including cycles, cycle helmets and child seats; and

4.    Agree with the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board that further consideration be given to how all residents across the Borough, and in particular families, can better access green spaces by cycle in order to enable them to be able to cycle in a safe and traffic free environment; and

5.    Agree that consideration be given as to how the Cycling Strategy could be developed further in order to make cycling accessible and appealing to all residents across the Borough. It is also noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board supported the draft Cycling Strategy and notes the limitations of the funding that has been accessed that will enable the upgrade and expansion of cycling infrastructure.