Issue - meetings

This report discusses the outcome of detailed design work and public consultation on proposals to improve conditions for cycling along Crichton Avenue. The Executive Member is asked to approve a scheme for implementation.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member approves the scheme shown in Annex C of the Officer report for implementation and asks that Officers ensure that any “shared use” areas of path are clearly delineated in line with the emerging standards specification.

REASON:                  Officers consider that the scheme will provide significant improvements for cyclists using Crichton Avenue, support the Council’s aspiration of providing an Orbital Cycle Route, and contribute to the aims of the Council as a Cycling City.

The Executive Member considered a report, which discussed the outcome of detailed design work and public consultation on proposals to improve conditions for cycling along Crichton Avenue.

Officers confirmed that they had been asked to develop preliminary proposals to improve conditions for cycling along Crichton Avenue in March 2009. It was reported that a number of amendments had now been proposed as detailed in Annex B of the report, which included:

• Moving the Toucan crossing away from the Wigginton Road junction;
• Reduced road widening between Burton Stone Lane and Kingsway North;
• On road cycle lanes at the Kingsway North roundabout;
• Retain the existing Pelican Crossing at the western end of Crichton Avenue and
• Burton Stone Lane right turn facility and extended shared use on south side of Crichton Avenue.

It was reported that as a result of feedback through public consultation a number of further amendments had been considered necessary, details of which were explained in the report and identified at Annex C.

Officers confirmed that they had no update in relation to the published report.

The Executive Member confirmed that there had been little response following publication of this scheme. He stated that some detail concerns had been raised by the CTC and Network Rail. He stated that whilst the cost of the scheme was high for a short distance of track that it would form part of the core cycle network.

The Executive Member then considered the following options:

Option 1 – Support the scheme consulted on (detailed in Annex B of the report);

Option 2 – Support the amended scheme following consultation (detailed in Annex C of the report), along with any other changes Members consider necessary;

Option 3 – Reject the proposed scheme.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member approves the scheme shown in Annex C of the Officer report for implementation and asks that Officers ensure that any “shared use” areas of path are clearly delineated in line with the emerging standards specification. ^1.

REASON:                  Officers consider that the scheme will provide significant improvements for cyclists using Crichton Avenue, support the Council’s aspiration of providing an Orbital Cycle Route, and contribute to the aims of the Council as a Cycling City.