11 Cycle Tourism Prospectus for Cumbria
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CABINET Paper Meeting date: 20 September 2005 No. From: Cabinet Member for Economic Wellbeing & Regeneration and Corporate Director – Economy, 11 Culture & Environment CYCLE TOURISM PROSPECTUS SECTION A: RECOMMENDATION OF CABINET MEMBER 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The purpose of this report is to consider the outcome of the consultation on the Cycle Tourism Strategy (as requested by Cabinet – 30 November 2004) and how the authority could work with public and private sector partners to realise the potential for cycle tourism in the County. The Prospectus for Cycle Tourism in Cumbria (Appendix 1) has been developed following consultation on the draft Cycle Tourism Strategy and sets out in a concise yet comprehensive manner, the opportunities to take forward and develop cycle tourism in the County. It covers all aspects of cycle tourism from the development of new routes and hubs through to the need for improved promotion and development of facilities. 2.0 POLICY POSITION, BUDGETARY AND EQUALITY IMPLICATIONS AND LINKS TO CORPORATE STRATEGY 2.1 The Prospectus for Cycle Tourism in Cumbria is in accordance with the cycling policies listed in the LTP. It also accords with the policies on the strategic transport networks, transport assessments, travel plans and policies on access and town centres set out in the deposit Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001-2016. 2.2 The prospectus is in accordance with the Council’s Cycling Development Action Plan, in particular, actions 3, 4, 6, 12a and 12b. Page 1 of 4 2.3 The implementation of the Cycle Tourism Prospectus will have implications for the Council’s capital and revenue transport budget. These are being considered as part of the budget planning process. The implications could be the need for a revenue commitment of £20 000 a year for at least the next 3 years to part fund a cycle development post. 2.4 The report has no equality implications. 2.5 The report is in accordance with the Corporate Strategy in terms of aim B ‘Enhancing Economic Well-being’ through strengthening the contribution of tourism to Cumbria’s economy. 3.0 RECOMMENDATION 3.1 It is recommended that the contents of the Prospectus for Cycle Tourism in Cumbria are noted and that the County Councils actions be taken forward through its approved Cycling Development Action Plan and the LTP, subject to any necessary budget approvals. Tim Heslop Cabinet Member for Economic Well-being and Regeneration SECTION B: ADVICE OF CORPORATE DIRECTOR – COMMUNITY, ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT 4.0 BACKGROUND 4.1 In 2004 a draft Cycle Tourism Strategy for Cumbria was prepared. It set out a series of proposals aimed at making Cumbria the premier destination for leisure cycling and through this generate major economic as well as environmental benefits for the County. 4.2 During 2005 the draft ‘strategy’ was the subject of consultation with a range of organisations involved in cycling. The key issues which arose from the consultation were as follows: § Greater emphasis should be given to mountain bike opportunities. § There was a need for more baseline information regarding the needs and potential of the cycle tourism market. § Greater reference was required to the importance of integrating cycling with other transport modes. § The role of family/local cycling should be given increased emphasis. § A number of places were identified as potential cycling hubs. § The structure to oversee the development of the strategy should be clear and not involve the setting up of additional groups. 4.3 Rather than trying to amend the strategy to reflect the concerns raised it was considered more appropriate to produce a fresh and much more concise document, the Cycle Tourism Prospectus, with greater reference to issues not fully encompassed Page 2 of 4 in the draft strategy. This includes opportunities for increasing the role of mountain biking, and family cycling on traffic free trails. 4.4 The development of the range of opportunities highlighted in the ‘prospectus’ to develop cycle tourism in the County will be overseen by the Council’s Cycle Co- ordination Group. This officer group which was set up earlier this year to aid the delivery of measures to increase cycling comprises a range of organisations interested in the development and promotion of cycling across the County. 4.5 However in order to make significant progress in taking forward the key issues highlighted in the prospectus there is a need for a new full-time cycle development post. This person would not only be responsible for the promotion, marketing and development of cycle tourism across the County but would also assist in the development of cycling in the Key Service Centres. 4.6 The post which would be funded in partnership with Cumbria Tourist Board would have a budgetary implication for the Council of £20,000 a year for the next three years. This will need to be considered as part of preparing the budget for 2006/07 and beyond. 5.0 OPTIONS 5.1 The option is that the contents of the Cycle Tourism Prospectus are noted and the actions are taken forward through the Cycling Development Action Plan and LTP. 6.0 CONCLUSION 6.1 It is considered that the Cycle Tourism Prospectus provides an attractive and concise document which clearly sets out all the key opportunities (that need to be taken forward in partnership with the public and private sector) and the significant benefits for cycle tourism and the wider local economy. 6.2 The necessary framework is in place to oversee the development of the Cycle Tourism Prospectus though it will require the appointment of a Cycle Development Officer to ensure the required improvements are carried out and promoted. Allan McNicoll September 2005 APPENDICES Appendix 1 : The Prospectus for Cycle Tourism in Cumbria Page 3 of 4 IMPLICATIONS Staffing: Yes Financial: Yes £20K revenue budget required if new post is to be supported. This and other costs to be considered for inclusion in budgets at the appropriate time. Electoral Division(s): All Executive Decision Yes Key Decision No If a Key Decision, is the proposal published in the current Forward Plan? N/A Is the decision exempt from call-in on grounds of urgency? No If exempt from call-in, has the agreement of the Chair of the relevant N/A Overview and Scrutiny Committee been sought or obtained? N.B. If an executive decision is made, then a decision cannot be implemented until the expiry of the eighth working day after the date of the meeting - unless the decision is urgent and exempt from call-in and the Head of Member Services has obtained the necessary approvals. PREVIOUS RELEVANT COUNCIL OR EXECUTIVE DECISIONS [including Local Committees] Report to Cabinet – A Cycle Tourism Strategy for Cumbria 2005-1-, 30 November 2004 BACKGROUND PAPERS Draft Cycle Tourism Strategy 2005-10 RESPONSIBLE CABINET MEMBER Tim Heslop, Cabinet Member for Economic Well-being and Regeneration Contact: Allan McNicoll, telephone number 01228 606735 e-mail: [email protected]. Page 4 of 4 Appendix 1 A prospectus for cycle tourism in Cumbria Introduction As one of Britain’s most beautiful and lightly populated areas, Cumbria offers fantastic opportunities for the recreational cyclist on the hundreds of miles of delightful quiet lanes criss-crossing the county from the coast through the Lake District National Park to the Pennines and for the mountain biker on the challenging and spectacular bridleway and byway network. There are waymarked woodland trails in Grizedale and Whinlatter Forests, easy traffic-free trails on railway paths in the west of the county near Whitehaven and Workington, long distance National Cycle Network routes including the famous Sea to Sea (C2C) Cycle Route, orienteering events such as Polaris and Trailquest requiring stamina and map reading skills, road races and events such as the Fred Whitton Challenge, taking in all of the Lakeland passes, and hundreds of excellent pubs, cafes and tearooms to satisfy cyclists’ hunger and thirst. For spares, repairs and bike hire Cumbria has bike shops from Barrow to Carlisle and many places in between. In terms of accommodation, each year there are more and more places that cater for the needs of cyclists with a dry and secure place to leave bikes overnight. Two new signposted long distance National Cycle Network routes will soon open: ‘Walney to Wear’ runs from Barrow to Sunderland and ‘Hadrian’s Cycleway’ from Ravenglass to Newcastle; for mountain bikers there is a new singletrack route soon to open in Grizedale, sponsored by North Face. What is cycle tourism? Perhaps it is easier to say what it is not: it does not include utility journeys such as cycling to work, to school or to the shops. It covers just about everything else, whether it is a group of local riders out for the day or a family who are in Cumbria on holiday hiring bikes in Grizedale. It covers mountain bikers enjoying the challenge of steep bridleways or taking part in a Trailquest event, long distance cyclists riding across the country on Sustrans’ C2C cycle route or a couple on a short break, cycling for a few miles from their accommodation to enjoy lunch in a good pub. It includes charity rides, fun rides, challenge rides and other events. The linking theme? All of the above activities have at their core the concept of people with increased leisure time enjoying themselves on bikes with money to spend on morning coffees, pub lunches, afternoon teas, ice creams, soft drinks and snacks and for some, bike hire, bike guides, leaflets, maps, guidebooks and entry fees for organised events. For those on longer tours there is, in addition, overnight accommodation, spares and repairs at bike shops and perhaps luggage transfer from one guesthouse to the next.