Verbal update from Keith Morgan and Thomas Humphries, Transport Strategy
Minutes:
Keith Morgan, Principal Transport Planner, gave an update on the Active Travel Fund schemes currently in place and proposed across the city. He highlighted the following points:
(a) The city has been awarded a further £2million for active travel schemes over the next year. The first tranche was focused on quick schemes to enable fast implementation of active travel as a response to the Covid pandemic, whilst this second tranche is focused more on public consultation and refining temporary schemes to make them permanent where appropriate;
(b) March 2021 will see the start of a series of public consultations which will run alongside the Transforming Cities programme meaning that the Active Travel projects can be aligned with bigger schemes to benefit the City and residents;
(c) Package One is focused on links into the city:
· Derby Road – Focus on improving routes for pedestrians and cyclists in particular looking at accident blackspots and low traffic neighbourhoods – street closures have been in place, assessing and consultation with residents on how well these schemes worked, how welcome they were etc. Permanent barriers would provide a sense of improved public realm.
· Porchester Road – Focus on safer routes to cross for pedestrians and cyclists
· St Ann’s Wells Road – focus on improving the road, not only as a main commuter route but also for the local residents wanting to walk into the city centre
· Trent Bridge – Working on designs for bus and cycle paths. This will be a joint scheme with the County Council so will require further consultation.
(d) Package two is more focused on neighbourhoods and neighbourhood improvements including:
· Low traffic schemes in the Sherwood and Berridge areas, closing roads and improving pedestrian access. Consultation will take place with residents.
· Further assessment of the existing low traffic scheme in the Arboretum area, traffic movement is being monitored and it is apparent that traffic has reduced along the shortcut routes.
· Formal consultation process regarding a 20mph zone within the City Centre encouraging safe pedestrian access for the future.
(e) Package three looked at schemes around schools and encouraging safer pedestrian and cycle routes to school. Trial schemes have been generally well received and those with positive feedback will be considered for permanency. Work is taking place with Sustrans on these schemes;
(f) Package four focuses on improvements to parks and open spaces. There were a number of different schemes around the Victoria Embankment including stopping through traffic to allow for more access for pedestrians and cyclists and more space to allow socially distanced exercise for families. However these schemes will continue to allow larger events to take place in the future. Routes to and around Colwick Park were improved with pathways being made more easily accessible and improved;
(g) Package five focuses on promoting ideas, talking to business, promoting schemes, etc. The Common Place app is working well gathering feedback on various schemes allowing the public to drop pins into an app to leave feedback. This package also looks to promote affordable cycle schemes for those seeking employment and key workers through Bike Aid;
(h) Additional work also taking place is the creation of a series of videos of cycle routes to help encourage new or returning cyclists by allowing them to view and learn routes prior to travelling.
During conversation the following points were highlighted:
(i) The Common Place app allows project officers to respond to the public feedback and the interaction has been generally well received by users;
(j) There has been good public feedback on the schemes focusing on the Embankment area, with additional safe space to access open space in a socially distanced manner being much appreciated.
(k) The work of the Active Travel Fund schemes is important to Nottingham. The city traditionally has low car ownership and public transport has always been important. Cheap and healthy ways to travel are beneficial to all and also contributes to the clean air agenda. Consultation with the public is key for this stage of the funding.
The Forum thanked Keith Morgan for his attendance and invited him to attend a future meeting with updates on the programme.