Issue - meetings

This report considers the design of future cycling infrastructure for York and presents a set of standards to be adopted. In addition, it also considers a tool by which a direct comparison of cycling schemes and their relative benefits can be made.

RESOLVED:            That the Executive Member for City Strategy:

(i)           Approves the Standards and Principles for designing cycling infrastructure within York, with the exception of paragraph 4.3 (segregation) which is referred back to Officers for further discussion with the Department of Transport and partner organisations with a view to the Director of City Strategy using his delegated authority to substitute a more appropriate wording into the document;

(ii)          Requests officers to ensure that consultation is undertaken with organisations representing disability groups on any schemes that could impact on their use of the transport network;

(iii)         Approves the cycling scheme Evaluation Tool and notes the Cost/Benefit Matrix which will be used to assess the value for money and effectiveness of cycling infrastructure schemes.

REASON:                  To provide a uniformed approach to designing new cycling infrastructure within York so that consistency can be achieved throughout the network of cycle routes and to provide a mechanism to assess, justify, and prioritise future cycle scheme work programmes.

Consideration was given to a report, which considered the design of future cycling infrastructure for the City of York, and presents a set of standards to be adopted. In addition, the report also considered a tool by which a direct comparison of cycling schemes and their relative benefits could be made.

Officers reported that with Cycling City status, York had an extensive programme of planned infrastructure works and it was felt that a document would be advantageous which was aimed at Engineers/Planners, which set out consistent standards, principles and guidance. Extensive consultation had been undertaken to develop the standards.

Mary Fairbrother, representing the York Blind and Partially Sighted Society, reiterated her earlier comments in relation to vulnerable pedestrians and the short length of time given to the Society for consultation. She referred to the Department of Transport’s guidelines in relation to consultation on any proposals involving  shared space.

Officers confirmed that this document was proposed for quick reference and not as a technical guide. They stated that Engineers would be expected to consider both pedestrian and vulnerable pedestrians in their safety audit and at the design feasibility stage.

The Executive Member referred to the merits of adopting a set of standards for cycling infrastructure in the city. He stated that paragraph 4.3 of the document sought to continue with the number of unsegregated off street cycle paths and whilst safety would always be of prime concern that this was one area should be judged on its merits. He therefore proposed to hold further discussions in an effort to refine the wording and to ask officers to undertake consultation with organisations representing disability groups.

RESOLVED:            That the Executive Member for City Strategy:

(i)           Approves the Standards and Principles for designing cycling infrastructure within York, with the exception of paragraph 4.3 (segregation) which is referred back to Officers for further discussion with the Department of Transport and partner organisations with a view to the Director of City Strategy using his delegated authority to substitute a more appropriate wording into the document; ^1.

(ii)          Requests officers to ensure that consultation is undertaken with organisations representing disability groups on any schemes that could impact on their use of the transport network; ^2.

(iii)         Approves the cycling scheme Evaluation Tool and notes the Cost/Benefit Matrix which will be used to assess the value for money and effectiveness of cycling infrastructure schemes.

REASON:                  To provide a uniformed approach to designing new cycling infrastructure within York so that consistency can be achieved throughout the network of cycle routes and to provide a mechanism to assess, justify, and prioritise future cycle scheme work programmes.