Aggenda Item 4(vi) SUBJECT: MONMOUTHSHIRE CYCLING STRATEGY & INVESTMENT MEETING: CABINET DATE: 6th November 2013 DIVISION/WARDS AFFECTED: All Wards 1 PURPOSE 1.1 To set ouut an emerging direction of travel in terms of how we build a strategy around cycling and maximise the potential future benefits for Monmouthshire in social, economic and environmental terms; 1.2 To consider the need to establish budgets, on an ‘Invest to Save & Redesign’ basis in order for the Council to underwrite the costs associated with hosting and supporting the prestigious 2014 National Road Race and Time Trial Championships in Abergavenny and bridging the capital match-funding required to support the establishment of an off-road cycle track at Gilwern Outdoor Education Centre. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 To endorse the mission and direction around developing a comprehensive Cycling Strategy for the county in order to provide a framework around which to secure infrastructure improvements; leverage investment in developing the sport locally and heightening the profile of the county as a premier cycling destination. 2.2 To agree to reserve-fund a budget of £160,000 to host and deliver the 2014 National Road Race, Time Trial Championships and also Welsh Open Elite series final in Monmouthshire 2014, with the expectation these costs will be re-couped through commercial sponsorship opportunities. 2.2 To recommend that the establishment of an Invest to Save capital budget of £420,000 with which to match-fund the £150k initial investment from Sport Wales to build a National off road cycle track and training centre at Gilwern Outdoor Education Centre is considered in the draft capital MTFP proposals. 3. KEY ISSUES 3.1 The Welsh Government’s (WG) Active Travel Bill places a statutory responsibility on Local Authorities to map cycling and walking routes, get more people active and consider future investment in the specified areas. The term “Cyclenation” was used by First Minister to stimulate thinking to ensure cycling is at the heart of Local Government future plans and becomes the norm for transport. 3.2 Cycling continues to gather huge pace and momentum in Monmouthshire with some of Wales’ most prominent and celebrated cycling clubs on the patch, growing and supporting local talent; investing in our young people and promoting the county as a premier cycling destination. Abergavenny Road Cycling Club has also produced arguably, one of Wales’ greatest cycling talents in the form of double world champion, Becky James; with the annual Festival of Cycling developing its reach and profile every year and Abergavenny securing 5 out of 10 awards available at the Welsh Cycling Awards in October. Monmouthshire is also the home to one of British Cycling’s Director, Bill Owen who founded and organises the Abergavenny Cycling Festival and has been instrumental in helping to secure the Road Race Championships for the county. Monmouthshire is rapidly becoming synonymous with the advancement and development of the sport and given the potential significant Return on Investment to the economy and wellbeing society (see British Cycling Economy report at Appendix 1) there is a unique opportunity to increase our competitiveness in this growth sport. 3.3 In keeping with this and with the support and guidance of Bill Owen, the Council has successfully tendered to deliver the 2014 National Championships in and around Abergavenny in June 2014, with a financial commitment of approximately £160,000. It is anticipated the budget will be wholly, or at least partially, off-set by commercial opportunities, sponsorship and revenue from associated mass public participation cycling events known as Sportive. Whilst the objective, and indeed opportunity, is for this high-profile event to self-fund, at this early stage, there is an obvious need for cash-flow to support the major costs and outgoings associated with the event. 3.4 Outside of the direct costs associated with supporting the event, the potential yield for the economy and in particular the food and tourism economy is significant. In WG terms this is classed as a major event and the economic multiplier is on a scale that in both primary and secondary spend terms, considerable potential exists to maximise impact across a spectrum of related indicators, from the economy, to health, participation and workplace benefits. 3.5 In relation to the propose national cycle track at Gilwern Outdoor Education Centre, a Sport Wales grant has been allocated to Monmouthshire to build the first off road facility of its kind in Wales. The project will give the population access to a safe, secure and quality facility. 3.6 It must be borne in mind that as with other similar facilities across the UK, the track will generate income from usage, hire and special events and will therefore enable the Authority to generate revenue for the capital expenditure required, to generate a new income source which will help to help sustain services. 4. REASONS General Cycling and Investment To promote and develop cycling in line with the legacy from London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games and contribute to the vision of Welsh Government( WG) Active Travel (Wales) Bill. Monmouthshire is in a prime position to become the “Cycling Capital of Wales” and to maximise the surge of interest in the sport. There is already a high level of participation in the sport and further investment would enable Monmouthshire to become more of a destination County with a honeypot for tourism, walking and organising large scale national events. Investment in infrastructure and events will provide the Council with key population outcomes and will deliver large scale return on investments. The two investments will provide further access to funding and significant grants for cycle routes and footpaths. Cycling is becoming increasingly popular with numbers of memberships to British Cycling increasing dramatically, for example, Under 18 membership has increased by 42% in the last year and British Cycling are on the way to nearly 100,000 active members. Local clubs and societies have seen new clubs form and their membership base increase. Leisure Services has already developed MCC Strategic Cycling Group working with key stakeholders including Sport Wales, Welsh Cycling, Highways and Transport, Tourism, Countryside, Estates, existing cycle clubs, cycle business, Children and Young People Directorate and Youth Service to establish a comprehensive strategy for developing cycling and infrastructure throughout MCC. Whilst this strategy is early in development the Active Travel Bill & Welsh Cycling’s draft strategy 2013- 2020 will help develop focus. The investment in cycling infrastructure and events will help deliver Monmouthshire’s vision to decrease short trips by motor vehicles and improve health & wellbeing of communities. Cycle Track: The development of a 1.20km cycle track will provide the opportunity to deliver an off road, safe cycling track to be used by the community, clubs and school pupils. The facility will also be used by Welsh Cycling as a training base for Commonwealth Games squad and training camps. The track will also provide a safe and secure environment for cyclists to enjoy all year round. The location of the site is extremely advantageous being situated just off the A465 Heads Of The Valleys dualling road linking to Wales West and the Midlands. The facility, is near to Newport and Cardiff and also accessible from the East. From a cycling perspective there are 24NGB affiliated cycling clubs registered within a thirty mile radius of the site. Solid foundations already exist in the area with individuals and clubs this year from Monmouthshire winning national awards for best club, best coach and best events. The Abergavenny Road Club with local riders is one of the largest, successful clubs in Wales. Becky James from Abergavenny recent World Championship success along with development of more junior riders currently in the Welsh Development Team is already inspiring more to participate in cycling. The cycling track will regularly provide opportunities for the residents of Monmouthshire, through being a base to both school based and adult clubs, offering training options for competitive cycling groups, increasing disability cycling options and providing recreational cyclers, both young and old with a safe place to enjoy the activity. The cycling track would also provide an excellent facility for the young people from Monmouthshire and other authorities visiting the Gilwern Outdoor Education site. In addition to serving the people of Monmouthshire the new cycling track will become a major pull for sporting tourism in the area, hosting sporting events (not just in cycling) generating additional income and investment from many sectors, while also providing opportunities for Welsh Cycling and British Cycling National Governing Bodies. Safety is one of the major reasons why children and adults do not participate in cycling and many fatalities have occurred over the past years on road. This facility will provide a safe route away from vehicles as well as cycling proficiency tests and developing cycling skills for all. Whilst the MCC Strategic Cycling Group have highlighted the number of routes that are available in Monmouthshire there is also a lack of dedicated off road cycling facilities in the South East Wales region. Through early discussions with Brecon Beacons National Park the development has been classified as a major application and this could lead to significant environmental, transport, habitat and species reports and surveys to be completed which could escalate costs and risks depending upon the outcomes of these reports. National Championships: This event fits strategically into the aims and objectives of MCC Single Integrated Plan and is capable of delivering strategic outputs across heritage, culture, tourism economic development and health & well-being. The event will help promote Monmouthshire and Wales to key markets within the UK and overseas. The National Championships is the pinnacle of home nation professional rider’s events.