Agenda and minutes

CR stated that the City Council access officer had raised the issue that street furniture should have colour contrast markings on them, which includes cycle hoops.  CR is continuing ongoing conversation with the access officer regarding this issue.

DB stated that following presentations from two companies who administer the staff cycle purchase salary sacrifice scheme, Cyclescheme have been selected as the preferred company to provide the scheme for the Council.    Human Resources are currently investigating the budget and staffing implications of introducing the scheme for Council staff. Council employees have shown considerable interest in the scheme.

Councillors Rosenstiel and Wright declared an interest as members of the Cambridge Cycling Campaign. 

MD gave an update on the Cycle Cambridge initiative including:

Works to deliver the rearrangement of cycle lanes over Hills Road bridge will be combined with the Gateway scheme which is due to commence in July.

As part of ‘Review and Improve’ of existing facilities the upgrading of the Newmarket Rd/Abbey Street crossing to a Toucan crossing has been completed.  Cllr Wright stated that the consultation seemed poor for residents and was concerned that the crossing was wide with a small island. MD stated the pressure to deliver or lose funding necessitated a stakeholder led consultation, which included Cambridge Cycling Campaign, safety audit, and local Cllrs.  The crossing is wide to accommodate high levels of pedestrians and cyclists and the crossing is single stage, which allows people to cross in one go.  MD stated that the new crossing will be monitored and if Cllr Wright needed further in-depth details of the phasing of the crossing this information is available from the County Council Signals Team.

The County Cabinet (June 2010) has approved the Gilbert Road scheme.  It was resolved unanimously to approve option one of the cycle scheme proposal (wide advisory cycle lanes with double yellow lines) for implementation, but not to proceed with the traffic calming elements contained within option one.  However officers were asked to keep the issue of the speed of traffic on Gilbert Road under review. Traffic regulation orders will be advertised in time for the October 2010, Cambridge Traffic Management Area Joint Committee. Cllr Todd-Jones asked for details of the car parking restrictions. MD stated that Gilbert Rd would have no on-street car parking and restricted loading, and Colwyn Close would have restricted parking, but no loading restrictions. 

The Tins path scheme is presently subject to land negotiations from 3 different landowners and is therefore ongoing.

Hills Rd approved resurfacing of the cycle lanes from the Catholic Church to Brooklands Ave to be undertaken shortly.

The widening of New Bit shared use path is due to start in September. Cllr Nimmo-Smith stated that the path from the Sheep’s Green Bridge to new bit was in poor condition.  CR confirmed that this section of the path would be resurfaced as part of the New Bit scheme.

The new off road cycle route beside Babraham Road to Wandlebury is completed.

Madingley Road improvements will be to improve and widen the off road shared path for in-bound cyclists and improve and widen the on road cycle lane for out-bound cyclists. Budget restraints may mean the improvements will only be made from Lady Margaret Road to Conduit Head Road.   Some trees may need to be removed and replaced outside Churchill college however any decision that affects trees will be in accordance with the City Council’s tree protocol.

The speed limit on Grantchester Road has been changed from 60 mph to 40 mph with no objections. Signs to be introduced shortly.

Works to improve cycle routes on Cherry Hinton Road between Queen Edith’s Way and Mowbray Road are due to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Cycle Cambridge has produced an initial draft document to show Cycling England the sorts of things that could be included in a future Cambridge programme should funding continue.  This programme includes encouraging girls and women, the Over 50’s and the least active to cycle more.

Section 106 and other funds would be used as match funding if cycle Cambridge runs beyond 2011. Cllr Blair stated that no commitment on funding could be given at this stage. MD stated that the bid was just an outline and did not commit any funds at this stage.

Island platform

Network Rail plans are that cyclists would access the newly proposed Island platform at Cambridge station via one wheeling ramp on the stairs and a lift sized 1.6m x 1.6m. Network Rail have been informed they should be considering that Cambridge is in a unique position as it has the highest level of cycling in the country and therefore requires specific solutions to accommodate cyclist.  If the lift size is 1.6m x 1.6m, giving a diagonal of 2.26m this will mean that 1 cyclist having to use the lift will take most of the available space.  Network rail stated their modelling did not demonstrate a need for double lifts but the question was asked if the modelling included the level of cyclists that use Cambridge station? Network Rail was asked to include wheeling channels on both sides of the stairs.

Phillip Darnton the Chair of Cycling England has been made aware of the situation and said he will lobby Network Rail to emphasise the need to accommodate cyclists using the island platform.

Action: CR to circulate response from Phil Darnton to members of the group and Cambridge MP.

Station

MD met with the station manager and identified ad hoc spaces around the station to install 40 extra cycle racks. JC stated Network Rail is working well with OWL bikes to manage the cycle parking by removing abandoned bikes. 

General

CR stated Cycle Cambridge has been working to install cycle parking in schools, workplaces and on street.  The AJC has agreed to install cycle parking in various locations around the City, apart from Mawson Road, including 30 more spaces in City Centre locations. Cycle parking has also been installed at the Cambridge United Football ground.

Action: Officers to circulate information on the station to local Cllrs as it arises

Cllr Nimmo-Smith Suggested a comprehensive review of the cycle network and non-completed works using mapped cycle accident data to identify areas in need of improvement and prioritisation.

MD stated it would be best to add this to the future cycle Cambridge programme, as this would be a major piece of work.  JC stated that available data for cycling accidents was not always reliable.

It was decided to hold the Cycle Steering Group meetings three times per year ideally in October, February, and June. 

Councillor Rosenstiel expressed interest in work on cycle maps and journey planners. 

Proposed for 29^th November 2010, 4.30pm – 6pm. Cambridge Guildhall, Committee Room 2