Walking and Cycling Forum Meeting Minutes 22nd February 2021 6.30pm- 7.50pm Attendees Cllr Meller Helen Pidd Lucy Bridges Andrew Howard Ian Barker Mark Glynn Amy Beasley Kathy England Sarah McClelland Alex Purrier Cllr Aaron Thornley June R Rosie Batut Mike Padfield Harrie Erika Siemaszko Nick Rosenthal Dr Matt Jackson Dave Butler Pete Vickerman Steve Davies Cllr Davies Peter Jackson Pete Abel Debbie Hall Peter West Cllr Iain Roberts Cllr Kate Butler Rob Clark Cllr Kate Butler Diana Scotcher Simon Temple Elysia Marriot Faye Drinkwater Siobhan Beck Apologies Kath Edwards Minutes Actions 1. SMBC Intros Four new member of staff joined the team: • Rosie Batut – Senior Sustainable Travel Officer • Erika Siemaszko - Sustainable Travel Officer • David Kearney – Senior Active Neighbourhoods Officer • Ellie Marriott- Active Neighbourhoods Officer 2. Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund (MCF) Work has started on a Greater Manchester wide programme to make journeys on foot or by bike much easier and more attractive. Alex gave an update on schemes that are currently on site: • Heatons Cycle Link- Path improvement works are underway on Nelstrop Road North until spring / summer, with signed diversions in place. • Bramhall Park to A6- Works to spring are focussed at the Bramhall Green Roundabout end of the route, the current works are on Fir Road and Bridge Lane • Offerton to Stockport- Works are underway in St Thomas’ Rec including path widening, resurfacing, realignment, signage and lighting. This is expected to be complete in spring. Works are underway to upgrade the crossing on Offerton Lane, until April. • • A555 Community Links- Works are underway to introduce a controlled crossing over Stanley Road at the junction with the A34, with connecting paths, for 6 weeks. Works are underway to construct a path from Highfield Parkway, through Woodford Rec, to the A555, until spring. A number of schemes are still under development following approvals and funding being granted in early 2020, including wider elements of schemes on site. The following schemes are also planned for consultation in the coming weeks and months: Romiley to Stockport Heaton Mersey Common (part of Heatons Cycle Link) Edgeley to Stockport Suggestion was made that the website should have more information on and phased plans so it is easier to understand what is happening when. James to JW review the website. Alex to report again on MCF and progress at the next meeting AP Comments in the chat were that: the signed diversion for Nelstrop road have been quite confusing Could do with a diversion map at the S end of Nelstrop Rd North There is currently no suitable diversion route for equestrian users of Nelstrop Rd North If a horse friendly arrangement at junction of Highfield and the Fallowfield Loop at the Lattice Bridge-', horses could get through. Pick up with Manchester City Council as the diversion is cross boundary and AP the access controls are within their control. 3. Road Safety/School Travel Update Bikeability training recommenced in the Autumn term 2020. Between September and December 15 Stockport Primary Schools received Level1/2 training and 1 Secondary School had Level 3 training. Bikeability will hopefully recommence after the current lockdown. The Road Safety team delivered Education sessions for Years 2, 4 and 6 at 5 Primaries in the Autumn term. As with Bikeability Road Safety education and training will recommence when current restrictions are eased/lifted. The Road Safety team have signed up to and invested into the Modeshift STARS programme. Which is an accreditation framework rewarding schools over the three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold, for increasing the numbers of young people who regularly walk, cycle and use other forms of sustainable travel to get and from school. Sustrans Big Pedal will run for 10 days from 19 – 30 April and is open to all primary and secondary schools in the UK, including SEN schools. Register your school now for the UK’s biggest inter-school cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting competition at https://bigpedal.org.uk/ Comments in the chat were: • Is BikeAbility training delivered in all Primary Schools in Stockport? RB Rosie suggested that all schools were offered but not all choose to take it up. RB to ask Ian Cook and get back with the answer. • Is there a list of schools you have already approached re STARS? Rosie suggested that there is a list, which can be shared with forum members RB • Whether there is any evidence that this makes a difference? Isn’t infrastructure more important? Rosie stated that schools can build this into their travel plan, getting children engaged is key and then they can influence their parents not to drive to school, doesn’t cost a lot and is an easy win. Soft measures help to speed up the uptake of use of new infrastructure - not the whole answer alone, but good complimentary measures. Targeting schools in active neighbourhoods should help to enhance the infrastructure. Faye Drinkwater explained that research shows that soft measures and cycle training fits into the bigger picture. https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/opinion/2021/january/build- it-and-they-will-come-surely/ It was also raised how much did the scheme cost. Find out the exact costs. However, it is to be part of a bigger picture and will not be an initiative on its AB/RB own but will go hand in hand with infrastructure to back it up. Sarah McClelland asked whether local businesses had been involved, as she suggested she had done this with her own employers to stop them from parking around schools. RB/IC Cllr Aron Thornley raised there has been some good school safety work done in a particular primary school in the Marple area; it would be great if we could have one of the 15 schools in our local area as an initial example for others. RB to investigate and follow this up RB 4. Disabilities and Access Controls A review is currently underway to look at approach to access controls with best practice from elsewhere and guidance from other local authorities, GMP and GMCA/ TfGM Consultation to be held with user groups and stakeholders, where we want the forums views and feedback on how we can improve the access controls across the borough. Further updates will be given at the next meeting. Comments within the chat were: • How do we feed into your access control deliberations? • How big of a problem is the antisocial behaviour? • It's not just disabled people that have problems with these barriers. Parent's with prams and equestrians also have problems • be beneficial if councillors and council staff could experience travel with some users of adapted bikes, so that they can see first- hand how inhibiting the infrastructure (barriers) can be. • recently improved the barriers at Harwood Road / Berwick Avenue, have made it much more accessible for cyclists (including those of adapted or non-standard bikes). • June R (Walk Ride Heatons) uses a adapted bike and would be happy to be involved in review or advising on best spacing Provide further update at next meeting on the progress and consultation. ES AB/ES to chase up with June on how she can help form part of the consultation 5. Love to Ride in Greater Manchester Ride it Out (1st – 31st March 2021) This March we’re inviting everyone to sign up for Ride it Out – a month of reasons to get back in the saddle! Or even for the first time. • Ride HEALTHY – ride your bike to sleep better, live longer and smile wider • Ride RELAXED – it’s not all about how fast or how far, shift down a gear and enjoy your ride • Ride GREEN – ditch the car and try one of your regular journeys by bike • Ride FREE – big or small, this week is all about adventure and going somewhere new to you by bike There will be some great prizes on offer as well. It only takes 30 seconds to register at: lovetoride.net/gm The Ride it Out event is free for all businesses, organisations and people who live or work in Greater Manchester. Comments within the chat: • What are the age range and sex profile of the riders? • From Great Places view - it was a good mix of age, range and sexes. Amy suggested there was a great mix with in Stockport Council team. Send PA around report that can be shared with forum that goes into more details of the statistics 6. Woodbank Memorial Park Map Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and Transport for Greater Manchester are teaming up to provide a self-led walking map for Woodbank Memorial Park. The aims and objectives of the map are to: • Raise the profile of the park and the various activities that take place such as TfGM's Cycle Training, Parkrun, Stockport Harriers Athletic Club, the adjacent park; Vernon Park, Pure Innovations run café the growers activities and the bowling green. • Provide a new and updated version of the map • Highlight the new cycle parking which will be installed in 2021 • Highlight the two car parks in an attempt to reduce pressure on the smaller car park, which people consider to be the main one due to its proximity to the main entrance which can produce congestion on Turncroft Lane leading to queues and unnecessary pollution. • Promote the new bridge which has recently been installed in Woodbank Memorial Park • To highlight that space is accessible to all. Please mail - [email protected] to get involved with the project Comments from the chat: • Has the connecting path in Woodbank Park been completed yet? • this new bridge has been very popular to walkers in my Heaton & Reddish group • Does the scheme have lighting? Update from that project team: all paths due to open in spring.