ENVIRONMENTAL SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

25 JANUARY 2011

Present: County Councillor Wakefield (Chairperson); County Councillors Aubrey, Clark, McKerlich, Jackie Parry, Keith Parry, Pickard and Williams

43 : MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2010 were approved by the Committee as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.

44 : STRATEGIC CYCLE NETWORK PLAN

The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Delme Bowen – Executive Member for Traffic and Transport and Alison Thomas, Team Leader, Transport Policy who had been invited deliver a presentation on the Cardiff Strategic Cycle Network Plan. Also present were Andy Mayo of Local Transport Projects Ltd, who provided support and advice on the development of the Cardiff Strategic Cycle Network Plan and stakeholders Jane Lorimer of Sustrans and Iona Gordon of Cardiff Cycle Campaign.

The Committee received a report setting out the main themes and the background against which the Council is developing the Strategic Cycle Network Plan. Members were advised that an improved cycle network is regarded as an important element in supporting Cardiff’s status as a Sustainable Travel City. In the past decade Cardiff has seen a significant number of initiatives aimed at increasing in the city. In addition to these, the Council has created several policies and documents to encourage and develop cycling in the city, most notably the Cardiff Cycling Strategy which was published in July 2007.

• It was recognised that a more strategic approach to cycling improvement in the city was required. The development of the Cardiff Strategic Cycle Network Plan aimed to outline a network of routes and individual schemes to develop and improve Cardiff’s Cycle network over the next 5 years. The plan was produced to ensure that proposed investment in cycling facilities and initiatives achieves the maximum impact in terms of encouraging people to cycle.

The key stages of the development of the plan were detailed in the report. The report also set out the key Strategic Cycle Network proposals. These can be summarised as follows:

• A proposed core network of key routes in Cardiff was developed, together with a secondary network extending to outlying areas. A draft copy of the plan was appended to the report.

• In total 277 potential cycle network improvements were identified and prioritised. Of those, 102 priority schemes were costed and evaluated according to the benefits they offer and a summary of those proposals were appended to the report.

• The proposed core cycle network incorporated Ely Trail, the , the Rumney Trail, the Trail, and routes to Ely, , Fairwater, , Ty-Glas, Heath, UWIC and Rumney.

• The secondary network to extended cycle routes into residential areas including , , Thornhill, Coryton, Pantmawr, and Victoria Park.

• The 102 priority schemes will provide additional routes and missing links to create a coherent network and will include schemes in , Tyndall Street, Road, Tudor Street, Wellington Street, Cowbridge Road East, , Grand Avenue, Castle Street, Maindy Road, Interchange, Llantrisant Road, Pant-Bach Road and Allensbank Road.

• The proposals also create a cycling ‘ring road’ of core/secondary/identified routes around the city with passes through Fairwater Gabalfa, Heath, , , , , and .

Member received details of the feedback from the consultation exercise which had been conducted. The consultation exercise included a number of workshops and presentations for groups including Cardiff Cycle Liaison Working Group, the Local Access Forum, Access Focus Group, Sustainable Development Advocates, Cardiff Health Partnership, the Cardiff Cycling Campaign and the Sustainable Travel City Stakeholder Board. The key findings of the consultation exercise were contained with in the report.

Members were also advised that a Cycle Design Guide had been developed to set out best practice in the design of cycle facilities. The Design Guide is intended to be the first point of reference for the design of all traffic management and highway schemes.

An Equality Impact Assessment and Health Impact Assessment were also carried out, these were appended to the report.

Ms Alison Thomas and Mr Andy Mayo were invited to deliver their presentation on the Cardiff Strategic Cycle Network Plan. Ms Thomas addressed the Committee and highlighted the key issues identified explaining why more people were not cycling. These were:

• Lack of time • Lack of information • Lack of places to go • Access to a bike • Safety concerns • Lack of cycling provision

The Committee received details of the schemes and initiatives that had been developed in order to encourage and increase cycling. Ms Thomas also expanded on the key issues.

• Lack of time - promoting active travel - Keeping Cardiff Moving Grants - Park Your Bike Initiative - Cycle to work scheme

• Lack of information - improving the cycle map - improving website information - improving signage

• Lack of places to go - improving information - increasing the number of cycle stands

• Access to a bike - cycle hire – OYBike, Pedal Power - Cardiff Council Recycling team and Cycling Training - Dr Bike sessions - Maintenance courses - Cycle to work scheme

• Safety concerns - personal - Cycling training – adult and Year 6 primary school pupils - Bike It Schools - Code of conduct - Better quality cycling provision

• Safety concerns – property - Working with Network Rail to improve security at stations - Working with the police – bicycle registration - Awareness raising – bike locks and security - Increasing numbers of cycle stands

• Lack of Provision - Developing strategic cycle network - Developing design guide to be used on all traffic schemes, not just those in the cycle programme

Andy Mayo of Local Transport Projects Ltd introduced himself to the Committee. Local Transport Projects Ltd specialised in advising on sustainable transport projects. The Committee was advised that whilst developing the Cardiff’s Strategy Cycle Network Plan and design guide four key objectives were considered. These were:

• To define a core network of routes and links to be developed

• To outline budget costs for delivery of scheme

• To produce a prioritised programme of schemes for delivery over a 5 year timeframe

• To provide a compendium of Design Standards

Member received details of the evidence base used to inform the plan, including the outcomes from stakeholder workshops. The ACORN database, a database used by companies as a marketing tool used to identify their core customers, was used to identify areas of the city where residents had the highest propensity to start cycling. An online survey was conducted which received 840 responses and an additional 50 vox pop surveys were completed. The 5 key community targets groups identified by officers were:

• Young urban professionals • Older parents with teenagers • Parents with children aged over 8 • Over 50s • University students

Following analysis of the evidence received the 10 key themes which were common across all 5 target markets were:

• The lack of off-road cycling options along the main arterial roads • Speed of traffic • Lack of bike ownership within the target markets • A lack of information and signage • The limited access into and across the town centre • The lack of secure parking in the City Centre • Lack of awareness of off-road options • Ease of driving into Cardiff and the ease of catching a train or walking • Peer marketing opportunity e.g. marketing within the different target market groups • More parental involvement, community and celebration days

Site audits had been conducted. Officers studied the existing network and identified gaps, links and new routes. The audits were used to inform the development of a prioritised work programme, whereby schemes were appraised against the plan’s objectives. The prioritised programme had:

• Identified 277 potential schemes • Mapped over the existing network • Mapped over the evidence base • Assembled a draft master plan • Identified gaps • Identified further site work • Provided an appraisal of potential projects

Following the appraisal stage, a draft network plan was produced. The plan identified 104 projects with a value of £6.5 million with projects ranging from £1,000 to £800,000. A list of potential “Mass Action Treatments” was provided to Members. The following schemes were regarded as crucial to reaching the Plan’s objectives:

• MA1 – Direction signing on key routes • MA2 – Audit of city centre cycle route legibility, and programme to sign/demarcate all routes in a format sensitive to city centre environment • MA3 – Cycle exemption at cul-de-sacs, (including review of Traffic Regulation Orders) • MA4 – Programme to introduce cycle contra-flows on all one-way streets • MA5 – Programme to install flush kerbs at various points around the existing cycle network, with appropriate tactile surfacing • MA6 – Review all ‘End of Route’ & ‘Cyclist dismount’ signing, with a view to removal • MA7 – Review all access barriers on cycle routes and remove where practical • MA8 – Implement Advanced Stop Lines at all traffic signal junctions • MA9 – Review all bus lanes with a view to widening/improving for cyclists as necessary • MA10 – Cycle parking, (ongoing programme – not considered in detail as part of this Plan) • MA11 – Packages of minor upgrades to Taff Trail, Ely Trail and Rhymney Trail, (surface improvements, signing, removal of barriers etc) • MA12 – Implement 20mph zone throughout city centre area • MA13 – Review all existing cycle lanes with regards to width, continuity and surface condition, and implement a programme of measures to improve • MA14 – Review all signalled cycle crossing timings in order to minimise delay to cyclists

The following consultation on the draft plan was conducted:

• 3 day exhibition in a unit on Queen Street • Online survey • 50 vox pop interviews • 2000 flyers • Over 400 responses • Workshops with Cardiff Access Focus Group • Workshops with a range of Council officers on the Draft Plan and Design Guide

Members received details of the results of the consultation exercise. These were detailed as follows:

• 89% felt proposed cycle network would improve cycling in Cardiff • 73% felt that proposed network would improve their daily travel routes • 70% felt routes had been left out • Newport Road on-road facilities wanted • Queen Street issue • Ely Trail off-road section added as core route • Boulevard de Nantes cycle lanes added, plus off-road link on south side

However, there were remaining concerns regarding:

• Lack of Knowledge of routes • Lack of Confidence • Skills & training • Enforcement (e.g. parking on cycle lanes) • Uninterrupted and permeable routes (e.g. opening parks) • Maintenance of facilities and routes • Security

Further outputs expected as part of the Cardiff Strategic Cycle Network Plan were:

• Signing Strategy • Equality Impact Assessment • Route Signing and Branding • Cycle Network Design Guide

The next steps or future outputs for the Plan were listed as:

• Finalise Cycle Network Plan • Equality Impact Assessment • Finalise Design Guide • Plan to be approved at Executive Business Meeting in April 2011

The Chairperson thanked Alison Thomas and Alex Mayo for their presentation and invited the Committee to seek clarification on any issues arising from the information received. A number of issues were discussed and were commented upon as follows:

The Chairperson thanked Alison Thomas and Andy Mayo for their presentation. Iona Gordon of the Cardiff Cycling Campaign and Jane Lorimer from Sustrans were invited to address the Committee.

Ms Lorimer stated that she was delighted with the approach to consultation adopted by the authority which had involved stakeholders from the outset. Ms Lorimer was supportive of the plan. Iona Gordon was also fully supportive of the Strategic Cycle Network Plan, which she described as impressive.

The Chair invited the Committee to seek clarification on any issues arising from the information received. A number of issues were discussed and were commented upon as follows:

• The authority was committed to sustainable travel. Members were encouraged by the genuine partnerships emerging, particularly with Sustrans, with whom a significant funding package had been negotiated that allowed the development of personal travel plans for up to 40% of Cardiff residents. Members were advised that travel plans were complementary to the Cardiff Strategic Cycle Network Plan. It was considered that in order to get people to overcome the barriers to cycling it was important to promote the work undertaken as part of the plan.

• Members were advised that Cycling Officer would, in future, have more input into highway schemes. The design guide included in the plan would be adopted as a standard by the authority to which Council officers, particularly highway engineers, would need to refer in the future.

• Officers were aware of the problems created by vehicles parking in cycle lanes. They were aware of several locations throughout the City where this issue was a particular problem. Parking Enforcement Officers were only able to use their powers in cases where parking restrictions were being contravened e.g. when vehicles are parked on double yellow lines. Most cycle lanes were “advisory cycle lanes” where parking restrictions did not apply. Consideration was being given to converting all cycle lanes to mandatory cycle lanes thereby allowing parking enforcement. The Strategic Cycle Network Plan provides that all new cycle lanes be mandatory cycle lanes.

• Officers advised that where the Strategic Cycle Network Plan conflicts with other Council polices such as the Alley Gating Policy, as in the case of Birdies Lane, issues would be addressed on a case by case basis.

• Potholes were not identified as an area of concern during the consultation phase on the Cycle Network Plan. However, officers felt that maintenance was essential on all carriageways.

• Members raised safety concerns regarding the shared use of the carriageways by pedestrians and cyclists, in particular in Queen Street and on the Taff Trail. Members suggested that cyclists should be made aware of their responsibilities. Officers advised that they were currently carrying out consultation on a Code of Conduct for cyclists in the City. The Committee and officers all agreed that a minority of inconsiderate cyclists were a problem.

• The proposed 20mph speed limit in the Cathays area of the City was still being consulted upon. No decision had been made. Local Members would have the opportunity to comment.

• Members questioned why there had been no consultation with local members on the proposed network plan. Officers advised that the draft plan had been sent to all members. Each individual scheme, prioritised in the plan, would be subject to local member consultation. The Committee was advised that the plan was a desirable strategy, the elements of which were still to be decided upon.

• Members were keen to encourage the formalisation of the Cycle Design Guide. The Committee asked whether it was possible to get the Design Guide adopted as supplementary planning guidance.

• The Committee felt that every effort should be made to include local bicycle shops and suppliers in the staff assisted bike purchasing scheme.

• Members requested a list of the soft measures schemes that have been carried out by Sustrans and also some information on the work undertaken by the “Bike It” officer that the authority is funding.

AGREED – That the Chairperson on behalf of the Committee write to the Executive Member and Officers thanking them for their presentation and highlighting the following issues:

• The Committee would like to congratulate the Executive Member and officers for the work carried out in creating the Strategic Cycle Network Plan. The Committee felt that it was a positive step forward for cycling in the city that would compliment the aims and objectives of the sustainable travel city.

• The Committee felt that Member communication on the prioritised schemes set out in the Strategic Cycle Network Plan could have been better. Some Members were not aware prioritised schemes had been identified within their wards. In order to improve communication the Committee would encourage the service area to write out to all Members individually identifying the cycle schemes prioritised for their wards. Each prioritised scheme listed should be supported with details on the exact location, a brief description, advantages, disadvantages and estimated cost. The Committee also felt that it would be useful if officers would provide Members with the option of meeting to discuss the proposals if required. In addition to this a description of the process to be followed for taking prioritised schemes to completed infrastructure should be set out.

• Members mentioned the importance of working with key partners in Cardiff to obtain feedback on the and to help them promote cycling across the city. The Committee acknowledged that several partners had been consulted with when developing the network plan, however, they stressed that the service area should continually try to identify and involve new partner organisations.

• Members were pleased that Sustrans have actively supported the development of the Strategic Cycle Network Plan and implemented measures to continually promote safe cycling in Cardiff. They were made aware that the Council currently funds Sustrans to provide a “Bike It” officer who predominantly works with schools. The committee would like a breakdown of the work carried out by the “Bike It” officer and other Sustrans work funded by the Council.

• The Committee felt that the idea to create a Cycle Design Guide for Cardiff was an excellent one. They understood the need to formalise such a document and would ask the service area to explore the possibility of developing this document into a form of supplementary planning guidance.

• Members were encouraged that the cycle lanes prioritised in the Strategic Cycle Network Plan were categorised as mandatory instead of advisory. Officers explained that they were hoping that new powers to deal with moving traffic offences would be granted by the Welsh Assembly Government in the summer. These powers would enable the civil parking enforcement officers to deal with parking violations on cycle lanes. The Committee encourage and support you in your bid to get these powers transferred to the Council.

• The issue of how cyclists should treat pedestrians was raised by Members as an important consideration. Officers explained that a code of conduct was being developed and would hopefully be added to a cycling related strategy in the future. The Committee would support the development and creation of such a code of conduct.

• During the meeting Members discussed the idea of being open in the evening to allow commuters access to safer cycle routes during the rush hour period. The Committee believe this to be an important issue and would like the Executive to provide guidance on where and when this debate should take place.

• Members acknowledge the importance of cycling and the strategic cycle network plan on the development of . They would ask that you along with the service area, push this forward for consideration during the Local Development Plan process.

• When the staff salary sacrifice bike scheme was discussed at the meeting Members were surprised to find out that no Cardiff based businesses were included on the authorised supplier list. The Committee would, therefore, ask the service area to establish if it is practical to include Cardiff based suppliers on the authorised supplier list.

45 : CORRESPONDENCE UPDATE

The Committee received copies of correspondence sent in relation to matters previously scrutinised by this Committee.

AGREED – That the correspondence report and attached documentation be noted.

Chairperson …………………………………………