Medway Cycle Action Plan

REGENERATION, COMMUNITY AND CULTURE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE 12 DECEMBER 2013 MEDWAY CYCLE ACTION PLAN (2014 – 2017) - CONSULTATION Report from: Robin Cooper, Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture Author: Mark Johnson, Transport Strategy and Initiatives Manager Summary This report provides details of Medway’s provisional Cycling Action Plan 2014- 2017, which is currently out for consultation. 1. Budget and Policy Framework 1.1 The proposed action plan supports the priorities contained within the Medway Council Plan, the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Medway and the Medway Local Transport Plan (LTP). Capital projects that arise from the action plan will be funded from the LTP Integrated Transport Block allocation and s106 contributions where appropriate. 2. Background 2.1 The current LTP (Local Transport Plan) was adopted in 2011 and runs until 2026. Increasing cycling is a strong element in the plan, with encouraging active travel and improving health a key transport objective of the plan. Achieving further growth in utility and recreational cycling will contribute to improving public health, tackling obesity, reducing traffic congestion and reducing carbon emissions and other traffic pollutants. 2.2 Medway’s existing Cycling Action Plan was adopted in 2006 by Full Council along with the Local Transport Plan LTP2. It is now an appropriate time to revise the plan to update information on what has been delivered and our future plans. It is also important to have an up to date plan when bidding for funding through the Local Enterprise Partnership and other funding opportunities. 2.3 The plan takes account of changing emphasis in guidance since the previous action plan was published and seeks to deliver aims and objectives set out in the policy framework of the Council. 2.4 Medway’s Cycling Action Plan 2014 - 2017 has been prepared with input from Public Health, Greenspaces, Sports Development, Public Transport, Road Safety and Highways. The plan takes account of changing emphasis in guidance since the previous action plan was published. 2.5 A copy of the draft plan is attached at Appendix A. 3. Report Summary 3.1 A broad range of initiatives to encourage cycling have been delivered since Medway Council adopted its last Cycling Action Plan in 2005. The initiatives have included: Improvements to the cycle network. Bikeability courses and promotion in schools, after school clubs, Children Centres and youth centres. Active Medway Cycle Groups. Partnership working with Sustrans. Information and promotion. Medway Council Workplace travel plan. 3.2 To enable the local trends in cycling to be measured Medway Council has permanent automatic cycle counters at 18 locations on the local cycle network. These have continuously monitored the levels of cycling in Medway. Since 2008 and the output from the data shows 2.4% per year average increase in cycle journeys on Medway’s cycle network between 2009 and 2012. 3.3 From the data being collected since 2004 there has been an increase of 51% of cyclists travelling to stations. However over the last 4 years this has been relatively flat with numbers remaining in the 90s due to the facilities in stations being close to capacity 3.4 During the period 2007 to 2012 there has been a total of 347 collisions involving pedal cyclists in the Medway Council area, which averages to approximately 58 per year. The number of slight casualties has remained between 40 and 58 for each of the last 6 years except for 2011 when there was an increase to 71. The number of KSI (killed or seriously injured) pedal cycle casualties has remained under 10 for the last 6 years and there is little variation over the last three years. 4. Advice and analysis 4.1 The cycling action plan contributes to the objectives of the Council Plan, the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the LTP. In addition, the plan complements sustainability policies of the council. 4.2 The plan sets out the framework for encouraging cycling in Medway over the next three years. It brings together the varied initiatives being delivered with the common objective of contributing to improving the health and well being of residents and visitors, together with reducing congestion and helping the local economy in Medway. 4.3 The Action Plan seeks to deliver actions that will: Expand, improve and maintain the network of facilities for cyclists; Deliver training and participation in cycling; Delivers improvement by working in partnership; Provides information and promotional material; and Maintains and develops travel plans. 4.4 An initial Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA) screening report has been prepared, however following the consultation; this will be reviewed in line with responses. The outcome of this process will be reported when the cycling plan is submitted to Cabinet for approval. 5. Risk management 5.1 The draft action plan considers both the health benefits and the accident trends for cyclists and growth. The risks associated with this will be explored during the consultation period. 6. Consultation 6.1 A detailed consultation on cycling in Medway was undertaken in 2002 which obtained very useful information on cycle use, barriers to cycling and areas of the network that needed expanding and improvement. 6.2 Consultation on the 2013 provisional action plan commenced on 14 November 2013 and includes: Direct contact with local cycling clubs and organisations Publication of the document on the Medway Council website Information in local media and local bike shops 6.3 A list of consultees has been attached at Appendix B. Responses to the provisional action plan have been requested by Friday 10 January 2014. 6.4 Once comments have been considered a final document will be produced. This will include photographs and diagrams supporting the text. It is hoped that the final document will be published in April 2014 following Cabinet agreement. 6.5 Details on cycling within Medway can be found on the Council’s website site at: http://www.medway.gov.uk/cycling 7. Financial and legal implications 7.1 There are no legal implications associated with this report. 7.2 It is anticipated that the capital projects that arise from the action plan will be funded from the LTP Integrated Transport block allocation and S106 contributions where appropriate. 7.3 Financial costs for schemes will be progressed through the current Local Transport Plan process as with any highway scheme. 8. Recommendations 8.1 Members are asked to consider the provisional Cycle Action Plan. Lead officer contact Mark Johnson Transport Strategy and Initiatives Manager Integrated Transport Service Tel: 01634 331505 Email: [email protected] Background papers Local Transport Plan 2011 – 2026 http://www.medway.gov.uk/transportandstreets/planning-transportpolicy.aspx http://www.medway.gov.uk/cycling Appendix A Medway’s Cycling Action Plan 2014 - 17 Provisional November 2013 version 2.4 Foreword As Portfolio holders responsible for transport, green spaces and leisure services, we are pleased to support the Medway’s Cycling Action Plan 2014-17. Implementing the action plan will continue to encourage residents in Medway to lead healthier, more active lifestyles, together with improving the operation of Medway’s road network and contributing to tackling environmental issues. The action plan supports the priorities in the Medway Council Plan, the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Medway and the Medway Local Transport Plan. We are very supportive of the work carried out locally to deliver the national Bikeability scheme and see this as an important way of encouraging young people to be more active by delivering training cycling safely. Cllr Phil Filmer Cllr Howard Doe Portfolio Holder Portfolio Holder Frontline Services Housing & Community Services Medway’s Provisional Cycling Action Plan 2014‐17 – November 2013 2 STATUS OF DOCUMENT Medway’s Cycling Action Plan will deliver actions that form part of Medway Council’s policy framework including the Medway Council Plan, the statutory Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Medway 2012–17 and the statutory Local Transport Plan 2011 – 26. This document is the draft version of the action plan and is subject to consultation. If you have any comment on the content of this document, please contact the Integrated Transport service at Medway Council. Our contact details are as follows: - Email address [email protected] Website www.medway.gov.uk/cycling Address: Integrated Transport Frontline Services Regeneration, Community & Culture Directorate Medway Council, Gun Wharf Dock Road, Chatham ME4 4TR Medway’s Provisional Cycling Action Plan 2014‐17 – November 2013 3 Medway’s Cycling Action Plan 2014 - 17 1 Introduction 1.1 Cycling, whether it is a day-to-day activity or an occasional adventure, is a great way to help keep people of all ages healthy. There is strong evidence that the benefits of cycling outweigh any risks. Cycling is something that is really so simple. All that is needed is a roadworthy bike, some basic safety gear and then it just takes a little bit of practice. Cycling can be slotted into everyday life, enabling people to benefit their health without having to set aside time for exercise. 1.2 This action plan sets the framework for encouraging cycling in Medway over the next three years. It brings together the varied initiatives being delivered with the common objective of contributing to improving the health and well being of residents and visitors, together with reducing congestion and

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