Agenda and minutes

Cllr Blair asked why the group was not the Walking and Cycling steering group.  DB explained that the previous chair of the group and the former transport Planning Manager had agreed the group Terms of Reference but not included Walking within the TOR. Cllr Blair suggested walking issues should now be included within the groups remit.

Action: DB to circulate the Terms of Reference to the group

In relation to near sided signal Toucan crossings CJR gave an overview of information that is available nationally and locally and how the County Council have promoted this information.  Cllr Blair noted that informing residents on crossing issues was a function for Cambridgeshire Highways.

MD circulated a map of the gritting regime for Cambridge City cycling and walking routes. Cllr Blair noted that the City Council gritted many areas over the city, which the map did not show.

AP asked that the minutes be amended to state that it is Dept for Transport guidance and County policy to replace far sided signals with near sided signals.

MD gave an update on Cycle Cambridge schemes including:

Gilbert Road and Madingley Road schemes have been completed, though in Madingley Road this had not included all sections of the scheme.

Tins path has been completed increasing the shared path to 4m and the bridge across the brook at Burnside to 3m.

Twenty-four additional cycle parking spaces have been installed at Cambridge Station.

The construction of a new cycle path from Sawston to Whittlesford and Sawston to Babraham has been completed.

Works to improve the route in Cherry Hinton from the Robin Hood pub to Perne Road, a combined off road shared path and on road cycle lanes, has commenced.

Hills Road Bridge scheme near completion and will cater for future junction design and will be assessed once completed.  Improved cycle lanes on Hills Road have been completed.

CJR explained that additional cycle parking had been proposed to be placed by the Lion Yard toilets but the installation had been delayed due to the uncertainty of the proposed new restaurant to be located in this area.  Cllr Rosenstiel suggested going ahead and installing the racks.

ACTION: AP to pursue instalment of Cycle Racks in this area

DB explained that the Downhams Lane project was commencing well and that the County Rights of Way team were in the process of agreeing formal consent to adopt the route as a restricted byway from Cambridge University and RANC Care Homes. The City Cycling Officer has secured informal agreements so no objection to the adoption was foreseen.  Formal consent is required to allow the work to commence.

The group discussed the Joint Capital Cycleways budget and how best to deliver schemes.  Cllr Blair emphasised the need for schemes to be identified by residents through the area committees, and that schemes needed to be deliverable and in line with the budget.   AP explained that many schemes on the highway would not be feasible on grounds of cost and did not always offer good value with a small budget due to constraints such as traffic management, restricted working hours, ecological surveys etc.   Cllr Wright suggested the funding could be used to tie up loose ends in the cycle network such as signage and gaps in cycle routes.  CRJ explained that present schemes were scored through the prioritisation list, which was agreed by the Area Joint Committee.

ACTION: AP to revisit the criteria for the prioritisation list in relation to future schemes

MD outlined that he had attended a briefing by the Department for Transport on the Local Sustainable Transport Fund that will be made available from June 2011.   Local Transport   Authorities will need to make bids for funding by 18 April that will cover all forms of sustainable transport. Cambridgeshire County Council was intending to put in a bid for £5 million over 3 years.  He explained that the input into ideas for funding was important from the district Councils and that he was already discussing ideas with the city council Planning Policy Manager.

Cllr Wright raised the issue of protecting community transport through the fund.   Cllr Blair stated that in the light of the emerging County Council cuts in subsidies to public transport she would be calling a meeting of the Community and Public Transport Steering Group.

ACTION: Cllr Blair to call a meeting of the Community and Public Transport Group 

MD stated the Cycle Challenge will be repeated in March 2011 and this time Cambridge will be competing with York.

There will be a Cambridge to Southend Cam to Coast British Heart Foundation charity cycle ride on 26^th March.