Agenda item

Cabinet Portfolio:  - Transport and Environment

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 24 January 2022 regarding the proposed Rotherham Cycling Strategy. The Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment and the Senior Transport Planner attended the meeting to present the report.

The report noted that the draft Rotherham Cycle Strategy 2021 had been approved to be put forward for public consultation by Cabinet at its meeting on 22 March 2021.

In introducing the report, the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment stated that the report provided an analysis of the consultation responses received, and the resulting revisions to the strategy. The Strategic Director advised that in promoting the use of cycling to benefit health and well-being, the economy and the environment, the strategy would deliver improvements to both the Council’s existing cycle network and would also set out its ambitions and objectives for investing in and expanding Rotherham’s cycling provision.

The full draft Cycling Strategy, along with a summary of the consultation responses were attached as appendices to the officer’s report.

Members sought clarification on how the additional cycle infrastructure, including cycle paths would be maintained. The Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment advised that in 2020-21 the Council had provided additional funding as part of a wider Streetscene allocation of £450,000 to improve the maintenance of existing cycle routes that included the Council’s cycle lane lining, the removal of overgrown vegetation and weeds and more regular maintenance being carried out on cycle paths. The Strategic Director noted that purpose of this investment had been to provide a well-maintained and attractive cycle network and to encourage cycling in the Borough. The Strategic Director confirmed that proposals were contained in the future budget setting report  that would be considered by Cabinet and Council in due course, and if approved would assist with to the maintenance of the existing and extended cycle network.

Members noted with concern the low number of responses (86) that had been received in response to the public consultation on the Cycling Strategy. The Senior Transport Planner advised that further consultation would take place for each scheme before it was implemented noting that consultations on specific proposed schemes attracted higher levels of responses than consultations on broader strategies.

Members noted the major and radical changes that were being implemented on Sheffield Road with regard to creating additional space for cyclists and asked what value there was in creating short and isolated pieces of cycling infrastructure in encouraging more people to cycle. The Strategic Director advised that the focus of the proposed Cycling Strategy was to create greater connectiveness across the network, rather than just implementing more schemes that may be isolated. The Strategic Director noted that the proposed strategy would also improve how the Council worked with other local authorities and agencies in order to ensure greater connectiveness of cycling infrastructure across the wider region.

Members noted the perception held by many residents across the Borough that cycling on roads was dangerous and were put off from doing so which had been highlighted by the consultation. Members asked that in response to these concerns whether there should be a greater focus on building cycling infrastructure that provided a greater level of separation between cyclists and motorised vehicles on roads. Members noted with concern the number of unused cycle paths across the Borough that were near to busy roads and how these appeared to be little used due to potential cyclists feeling that the paths were unsafe. Members noted that there should be a greater focus in the strategy on schemes, such as those that enabled segregation and that aimed to slow down traffic on busy roads to enable cyclists to feel safer when using cycle routes. Members also noted that the proposed strategy would benefit from having a greater focus on the environmental benefits of increasing the number of residents who cycled to get around and on making cycling more accessible to all communities across the Borough.

The Senior Transport Planner assured members that the proposed strategy did promote the implementation of segregation infrastructure on the roads where motorised vehicles travelled at faster speeds so as to enable cyclists to feel safer. The Senior Transport Planner advised that increased numbers of people cycling reduced the number of short car trips but had a much less impact on reducing longer car journeys that were the major cause of pollution, and as such it was important not to overstate the environmental impact of the strategy.

Members noted that if there was to be a more integrated cycle and transport network then it was important that the cycle network linked in with other travel infrastructure such as railway stations and transport hubs. Members also noted that it would be beneficial if cycle routes could be developed that enabled residents to cycle to visitor attractions, such as country parks. The Strategic Director noted that further work was planned with regard to ensuring that the cycle network connected with other transport infrastructure but stated that for this to be effective that there needed to adequate cycle storage at railway stations and transport hubs. The Strategic Director advised that consideration would be given to how the cycle network could be developed to create improved access to visitor attractions.   

Members noted the high costs that were involved in being able to cycle and that as such the more affluent were more likely than the less affluent to have access to a bike and to regularly cycle. Members also noted that the lack of maintenance of many cycle paths was major factor in why many people were put off cycling and that improved maintenance of cycle paths would encourage people to cycle more.

Members also asked whether data was available that showed a breakdown of those who regularly cycled by age and gender. The Senior Transport Planner assured members that this information was available and would be used to inform the delivery of the strategy.

Members noted the existing facilities provided by the mobile cycle hubs that enabled the hiring of electric bikes. Members asked whether the offer provided by the mobile hubs could be extended so as to enable the hiring other equipment such as child seats that could potentially encourage more families to try cycling in way that was affordable. The Strategic Director advised that the mobile cycle hub was able to provide the hire the of electric and pedal bikes, but as this service was revenue funded that the provision of this service could change over time. The Senior Transport Planner advised that he would look into whether the mobile cycle hubs currently offered the facilities to hire other cycling equipment such as child seats and carts and would provide the information to members outside of the meeting.

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Members noted the wide-ranging scope and ambition of the proposed strategy and welcomed the additional funding that had been secured to upgrade and expand the local cycle network. Members noted that despite this ambition the proposed strategy did not address how to change the culture around cycling and how cycling was not currently accessible or appealing to many communities across the Borough. Members stated that the proposed strategy should have a greater focus on how the Council would work with communities who were currently disengaged from cycling in order to understand the barriers that were in place that meant that they did not see cycling as something that was accessible for them.

The Strategic Director stated that the proposed strategy was in part linked to the very significant investment in cycling infrastructure and would enable the drawing down of significant funding that was available , and that could only be spent for the development of cycle infrastructure. The Strategic Director noted the comments regarding  how cycling would be promoted in all communities across the Borough and that it would always be desirable to do more activity in this area. The Strategic Director stated that the Council should always be actively looking to access all possible funding streams available for the development of cycle infrastructure. Members questioned whether just because funding was available whether it was always correct to focus on drawing down the funding and diverting activity away from promoting cycling and getting to understand the barriers that prevented many residents from cycling. The Strategic Director noted that one of the most significant barriers to more people cycling was the perception that cycling was unsafe and that the increased investment in cycle paths and other infrastructure would not only make cycling safer, but also make it feel safer and as such encourage more people to take up cycling.

The Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy who was in attendance at the meeting noted that the proposed Cycling Strategy was a starting point and that further activity to increase the number of residents cycling would continue.  The Cabinet Member advised that a key element in shifting behaviour regarding how residents travelled in the Borough and reducing car use was the provision of the infrastructure that would enable to residents to cycle safely. The Cabinet Member noted that in order to enable the realisation of this ambition it was essential that the Council sought to access as much funding as was possible in order to provide a high quality and safe cycle network. The Cabinet Member assured members that all communities would continue to be consulted with in order to understand their needs and on what action would be needed in order to get them cycling more.

Councillors Burnett, A Carter and Yasseen acknowledged the assurances that had been provided regarding future community engagement but noted that they still had concerns regarding the main focus of the proposed strategy being the expansion of the cycle network and infrastructure. 

The Chair thanked the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment and the Senior Transport Planner for attending the meeting and answering member questions.

Resolved: -

1)    That Cabinet be advised that the recommendations be supported.

2)    That further consideration be given to how all residents across the Borough can 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.

3)    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.

4)    That Cabinet be advised that whilst the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board supports 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, that consideration be given to how the Cycling Strategy can be developed further in order to make cycling accessible and appealing to all residents across the Borough.

Councillors Burnett and A Carter voted against resolution one. Councillor Yasseen abstained from voting on resolution one.