Agenda and minutes

Cllr Donald Adey sent apologies.

Notes agreed.

ACTION: CR in future to circulate the minutes of the last meeting with all other relevant papers ahead of the meeting.

·       Updates

·       Camcycle  - Reach Ride

·       University Kettles Yard Cycle Parking

·       Pushchair scheme

·       Updates.

o   The city centre cycle maps are currently being printed.

o   Cycle parking Audit. This is now complete and CR is in the process of examining its finding in terms of demand and feasibility. Some funding from the County Council has been sought for additional racks.

ACTION: CR to leave a copy of the document in the Members Room.

MSm enquired whether – as additional capacity has been identified – whether a city centre audit would be included as part of this work. KB stated that although the Group would always be open to ideas, the city centre work had been carried out three or four years ago with various options eliminated. This current audit was focussed on city-wide community provision. MD stressed that there would be a new City Deal City Centre Access Officer whose remit would be to examine additional cycle parking provision. RdB stated that Camcycle were aware of the work already done and were pushing for an additional city centre cycle park.

o   Monitoring feedback.

This relates to schemes approved over the last two years.

ACTION: CR to circulate the monitoring feedback among the Group.

o   School projects. No updates were available on the deferred projects brought to the meeting last time. MD confirmed the County Council on average funded one project of this kind per year but that there could also be potential funding via City Deal.

ACTION: The Mayfield and Milton Road School projects to be brought back to the Group as part of this year’s funding round.

·       Camcycle – Reach Ride (RdB)

Camcycle would like to increase their bid to £1,500 to provide improved signage and fund two new cycle mechanics. ‘Outspoken’ are charging £500 and will need their costs covered for the day. Camcycle will be contributing officer time, the cost of the liability insurance, office space and materials although cheaper insurance options are being investigated.

VERDICT – APPROVED.

Although the question was raised whether £500 for two mechanics was too high, there was agreement that this successful event did encourage new cyclists and therefore should be supported. (The cost for the mechanics might be reduced if Outspoken decide to charge for materials.)

·       Kettle’s Yard (CR).

The University are requesting funds for cycle racks to serve Kettle’s Yard, the Museum of Cambridge and St Peter’s Street. The proposed location is Northampton Street although discussions are underway with the City Council Housing team as (subject to Planning permission) the wall of the embankment will need to be pushed back. £5000 is being requested with the remaining cost (which would include the landscaping) being funded by the University.

The Group debated whether the Promotion Grant was the appropriate fund for this University-led project although through the community work at the gallery and museum aswell as the commercial uses along Northampton Street, a case could be made in terms of  ‘public benefit’. JR confirmed there was a significant underspend within the Cycleways budget

VERDICT - DEFERRED

On the basis that alternative funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17/18/MCPSG

CR explained some of the rules and regulation relating to cycling on footways (pavements) and footpaths. The issuing of fixed penalties for cycling on pavements, for example, should only be issued when the cyclist is endangering the public, according to Home Office guidance, and cannot be issued to those under 16. Cycling on footpaths is not actually illegal, rather a trespass against the landowner and the City Council has allowed paths across many of Cambridge’s open spaces to be used by cyclists for decades – so any attempt to make them ‘pedestrian only’ could be open to challenge.

MS confirmed that cycling on pavements was an issue raised by residents in his ward but that cycle signage was often contradictory and was therefore not respected by cyclists. Areas of poor or inconsistent signage include the new crossing on Madingley Road onto the West Cambridge site along JJ Thompson Avenue. Bad practice made worse by poor signage was leading to poor examples being set for young cyclists.

ACTION: CR to circulate presentation slides.

·       Greenways Cycle Projects. Consultations to begin soon with the dates to be announced shortly for the Fulbourn Greenway and Waterbeach Greenway. RdB confirmed that Camcycle were keen to get involved with these projects.

·       Chisholm Trail (Phase 1). It is hoped this will be on the July JDCC agenda but it may be pushed back to September. Objections have included the proposal to widen the Coldham’s Common path. A contractor will be appointed soon.

·       Trumpington Road (outside Botanic Gardens). The work on the road markings and signage is almost complete.

·       A10 to Harston. The completion of the A10 cycle route may have an impact on the city.

·       Arbury Phase 2. This has been approved with the outline plans available from the City Deal website http://www.gccitydeal.co.uk

MA highlighted the issue of the new cycle lane provided on Green End Road as part of links to the new Cambridge North station and the so called ‘floating’ bus stop which is said to obscure the view of traffic exiting Franks Lane. Would more floating bus stops not cause problems? MD confirmed officers were investigating this particular bus stop and would be in touch with MA with their findings.

MSm enquired as to the recently installed cycle routes e.g. on Milton Road as there was a concern regarding the expertise on the project and their understanding of cycling and cycle safety. MD agreed there was conflict between cyclists, verges, trees and footpaths as the original objective was focused on the movement of buses. RdB confirmed that Camcycle were in partnership with residents forming the Milton Road Alliance and that they were keen to make the Milton Road project a success.

MS stressed the need for a common standard for all these new routes as consistency would benefit all cyclists, particularly those new to the city.

JR confirmed the City Council was still keen to progress capital projects with new cycle parking proposed at Jesus Green pool, Free School Lane and outside the Espresso Library coffee shop on East Road.

Officers are also looking at a joint scheme with the County Council to improve the Maids Causeway/Victoria Avenue roundabout by investing Cycleways funding to narrow the roundabout circulatory area and reducing the width of the entry points to reduce traffic speeds (draft plans circulated). It is thought a full-scale Dutch-style roundabout would exceed the budget according to CR. It is hoped Cycleways priorities can be brought before Environment Scrutiny Committee soon. Other City projects include the following:

·       Snakey Path improvements. Officers are looking at options and have been in contact with the various landowners. Constraints and the various options being considered could mean this is a phased project.

·       Queen Anne Car Park. Cycle parking provision is being increased to include cargo bikes inside the car park with additional open racks to be provided outside. Other improvements are to include improved lighting and CCTV to cover the cycle parking area. KB requested that this opportunity should be used to make surface improvements outside the car park.

25th September 4.30pm – 6pm.