Presentation from John Bann, Transport Strategy, Nottingham City Council
Minutes:
John Bann, Cycling and Road Space Transformation Manager within the City Council’s Transport Strategy Team, delivered a verbal update on the walking and cycling element of the all-transport initiative ‘Let’s Keep Nottingham Moving’.
The following points were included and responses provided to questions:
(a) A number of cycling schemes funded by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEC), are nearing the end of a 3 year period, during which achievements have included completion of major projects within the City including the Daleside Road, Castle Boulevard as well as expanding and promoting existing cycle routes through the City Centre, links to QMC and the University;
.
(b) It is as a result of these and other initiatives, that cycling has increased by 16% in the City, but further work can be done and as of 2015, Nottingham aims to double cycling in the City by 2025. Currently cycling is at 4-5% of work journeys in the City but it is believed that there is potential in the future to increase beyond 20% if examples of European Cities can be emulated where cycling can regularly be 30%;
(c) John Bann and his colleagues have visited other Cities to learn from their successful approaches to increasing cycling and walking, including Bristol which has been named as a ‘Cycling City’ by Central Government. It is noted that the success of schemes may not be fully apparent until 3-4 years after completion so the success of schemes in Nottingham to date is very encouraging;
(d) External funding is constantly sought to further enable development of cycling facilities and promote the cycling culture. To ensure that cycling is considered in future strategies and developments, a ‘City Cycle Design Guide’ has been produced. If appropriately sited, it is believed that where cycling facilities are provided, they will be used. This has been evidenced by the Castle Boulevard cycle corridor where cyclist use has increased by 50%. As a result, of providing the route, cycling on the canal tow path has significantly reduced which has resulted in that route becoming more attractive to walkers;
(e) The Road Space Transformation around the Broadmarsh development is currently high profile as the roads around it will change and result in traffic displacement when areas are pedestrianised. Providing the best possible pedestrian and cycle access is important for the development, as is ensuring that that any proposed routes easily link into existing networks;
(f) Working within the City Centre is a challenge as there is often little capacity for alterations, but a temporary cycle and pedestrian route across the ‘Island Site’ has been agreed to provide a smooth connection between the Link Road at Sneinton to Station Street. However, once the development of the site starts, access will be withdrawn but a guarantee has been gained that appropriate cycle and pedestrian access will be provided through the completed development;
(g) The majority of cycle schemes have, to date, focused on the east and south of the City due to the many steep inclines and generally hilly nature of the north and west of the City which make cycling there less attractive. However, discussions are on-going with PEDALS to consider the feasibility of potential schemes in these areas. It is also hoped that work will take place to facilitate better City Cycling access in the vicinity of Maid Marian Way;
(h) A bid for Central Government funding for consultants to develop Nottingham’s Local Walking & Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) within the broader D2N2 area has been successful and is the largest geographical area and most populated (Note - recently confirmed by our consultants) of its type in the country. The area included is very diverse so it’s been decided to develop pans in three bands to include the County Cities of Nottingham and Derby, the larger outlying towns such as Chesterfield, Mansfield and Ashfield, and then smaller towns such as Newark and Matlock. The process has just started with the collection of information including economy, typography, Indices of Deprivation, health statistics, key destinations such as town/city centres, hospitals, commercial parks, traffic flows and areas of interest. Once this information has been collected, it will enable consideration of which areas infrastructure plans should be developed for and how routes can be made more attractive to cyclists and walkers by improving the environment. A key stakeholder event will be held at the Derby Velodrome towards on 23rd May 2018 to explain the LCWIP process and get feedback on what stakeholders consider to be important when prioritising walking and cycling proposals. Representatives of the LAF will be invited along with representatives of cycling and walking groups, universities, NHS Trusts, Highways England and many others. A second stakeholder event will take place in Nottingham during September 2018 where consultants will identify priority areas where cycling and walking corridors will have the most effective impact. The process from there will hopefully be picked up by the LEP which will consider funding options. It may also feed into the bids for funding for the Government’s ‘Transforming Cities’ initiative;
(i) The ‘Transforming Cities’ agenda from Central Government, has focused on supporting bids to encourage economic growth, employment and development, so linking the benefits of cycling and walking into these priorities has been necessary but difficult. In addition to contributing to a healthier and more attractive environment, the employee health benefits of cycling and walking are promoted;
(j) Most people tend not to walk more than a couple of miles to a destination within the urban environment, and most routes tend to follow pavements alongside roads. Overall, there generally aren’t concerns with walking networks but consideration of improvements to crossing points on main or busy roads is on-going;
(k) Ridewise offer ‘Bikeworks’ to help citizens get their bikes into a road worthy condition and can provide confidence boosting training and promotes that cycling is an interesting thing to do;
(l) Cycling and/or walking can offer significant health benefits for people with obesity issues and diabetes, so it’s important to find out what prevents them from being active. Further attention also needs to be given to promoting walking and cycling to school children, and possibly a renewed promotion of school travel plans;
(m) Area boundaries can impact on schemes but it is important to ensure connectivity and that an agreed consistent standard will be applied where schemes cross Local Authority boundaries to ensure approach. The LEP is providing funding of £6m to improve cycling and walking routes from the City and Beeston to Boots, which are being developed both by the City and County Councils. A planning application has been approved for a route to the rear of the Tennis Centre across the Midland Main Railway Line into Boots and is programmed to open in December 2018, once crested newts have been relocated;
(n) Electric bikes may be more attractive for citizens in hillier areas of the City as they provide battery powered assistance if required while retaining all the usual characteristics of traditional bicycles. The City Council is currently promoting electric bikes and offering access to a try-before-you-buy trial period.
RESOLVED
(1) to note the thanks of the Forum to John Bann for his interesting update;
(2) for John Bann to inform the Chair and John Lee of the dates of consultation once they are available so they can be circulated to members, and for any members of the Forum interested in attending to contact either the Chair of John Lee;
(3) for a further update to be delivered at a future meeting.