Agenda item

This report advises the Executive Member about initial proposals for the three sections of this route together with the best option to take forward each section.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member agrees to:

i)            Note the proposals for each section;

ii)                  Provide in-principle approval for sections 1 and 3 and authorise Officers to undertake further detailed design and public consultation on the schemes shown in Annexes B and E.

iii)                Have the issues raised by the Cycling Champion regarding route alignment and signage to be considered during the detailed design and consultation stage of the process.

iii)A review of a possible alternative route for section 2 to the west through West York and compares this with the current proposed route through Acomb. A further report to be brought back to the Decision Session for route approval.

REASON:  The proposals will provide improved facilities for cyclists, completing an orbital route that cyclists will be able to use in accessing a variety of destinations while avoiding busy radial routes where possible. The proposed measures would also make a significant contribution towards the objectives of the Council in its Cycling City strategy.

The Executive Member considered initial proposals for the following three sections of the orbital cycle route:

Section 1 : Clifton Green to Crichton Avenue

Section 2 : Hob Moor to Water End

Section 3 : James Street to Heslington Road 

He considered the proposed route alignments included in the successful Cycling City bid in 2008, together with the best options to take forward on each section for further detailed design and public consultation.

Cllr D’Agorne confirmed that as Cycling Champion he supported the overall concept of an improved coherent network of routes, which cut across the radial routes in York. He stated that these routes were often the most difficult to make by public transport and therefore more likely to be a choice between bike and car. He confirmed that he strongly supported completion of the missing link in Section 1 Clifton Green to Crichton Avenue. However with reference to Section 3 James Street – Heslington Road he raised a number of issues regarding accesses at the eco depot and the proposed routing via the University. He also suggested the naming and numbering of the route and junctions on the cycle map to make signing and maintenance reporting easier.

Officers confirmed that they would have no difficulties considering and incorporating Cllr D’Agornes comments at the feasibility stage of the scheme. 

The Executive Member confirmed that the proposals were generally welcomed and that he was happy to take into account the suggestion made at the meeting, however the main area of controversy appeared to relate to the Hob Moor to Water End section. He then considered the following options:

·        Option One – progress the three remaining scheme proposals for the orbital cycle route through more feasibility work, detailed design and public consultation. In addition, initiate feasibility work for the Hob Moor to Water End section to develop improved connections between the outlying residential areas and the orbital route.

·        Option Two – develop alternate route proposals for the Hob Moor to Water End section that are located within the outlying residential areas and progress them through more feasibility work, detailed design and public consultation. A plan showing the general area of consideration for an alternate route was attached to the report at Annex F.

·        Option Three – abandon plans to provide any further improvements associated with one, two or all three sections of the orbital cycle route.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member agrees to:

i)            Note the proposals for each section;

ii)                  Provide in-principle approval for sections 1 and 3 and authorise Officers to undertake further detailed design and public consultation on the schemes shown in Annexes B and E. ^1.

iii)                Have the issues raised by the Cycling Champion regarding route alignment and signage to be considered during the detailed design and consultation stage of the process. ^2.

iii)A review of a possible alternative route for section 2 to the west through West York and compares this with the current proposed route through Acomb. A further report to be brought back to the Decision Session for route approval. ^3.

REASON:  The proposals will provide improved facilities for cyclists, completing an orbital route that cyclists will be able to use in accessing a variety of destinations while avoiding busy radial routes where possible. The proposed measures would also make a significant contribution towards the objectives of the Council in its Cycling City strategy.