Agenda item

A public consultation of the draft Guildford Cycling Plan was held between the 5 October and the 16 November 2015, following two stakeholder workshops. This report provides a summary of the results of the public consultation, and recommends a new approach to capturing public comments and suggestions on new cycling infrastructure. This report also asks that the Transportation Task Group consider the consultation responses in more detail, including undertaking a prioritisation exercise of future cycling infrastructure needs.

The Local Committee (Guildford) agreed that:

(i)    A rolling engagement programme be established, giving residents an online resource to submit suggestions, make comments and review completed improvements to cycling infrastructure hosted on the Travel SMART website

(ii)   The successful stakeholder workshops established before the public consultation period be continued, so the stakeholders have the opportunity to discuss developing schemes as well as strategy;

(iii)  The Transportation Task Group considers the consultation responses in more detail, with the aim of agreeing and reviewing a prioritised list of Cycling Plan actions including infrastructure proposals.

(iv)The Cycling Plan be incorporated into the Guildford Local Transport Strategy.

(v)  Reports seeking future funding for cycle infrastructure can be submitted to the Local Committee for consideration

Reasons:

The public consultation of the Guildford Local Cycling Plan has provided a wealth of well informed, constructive and useful comments and suggestions which will help shape the future of cycling Guildford. The consultation received an almost unanimously positive response, with respondents encouraging the Council to invest in more cycling infrastructure and other actions to promote cycling and promote safety.  

In order to facilitate continued dialogue with local stakeholder groups, and interested residents, it is recommended to provide a permanent online resource for people to submit this information, and where updates on Cycling Plan delivery and progress can also be provided to the public. It is recognised that the delivery of the Cycling Plan is an ongoing process, responding to new infrastructure opportunities, the development of new promotional and safety campaigns and the progress of the Guildford Local Plan. It is also clear from the consultation responses that the design of cycle facilities is of great interest to residents, therefore the engagement process needs to be maintained as schemes are developed.

There are a number of lower cost quick wins that have been identified during the process which could provide significant benefits to cyclists. Alongside the Guildford Transport town centre transport package, these may represent an opportunity for earlier implementation.

A public consultation of the draft Guildford Cycling Plan was held between the 5 October and the 16 November 2015, following two stakeholder workshops. This report provides a summary of the results of the public consultation, and recommends a new approach to capturing public comments and suggestions on new cycling infrastructure. This report also asks that the Transportation Task Group consider the consultation responses in more detail, including undertaking a prioritisation exercise of future cycling infrastructure needs.

It was explained that the Cycling Plan helps to prepare the County Council for future funding opportunities.  Members asked what could be done about the attitude of drivers towards cyclists and how can people be encouraged to cycle to work.  Members were informed that the Drive Smart campaign helps to address the attitude of drivers towards cyclists.  The Cycling Strategy also covers these issues.  All schemes will be safe for cyclists of all levels with basic cycling proficiency.  Officers have worked with 25 businesses in Guildford on sustainable transport.

Cllr McShee commented that some of the areas on page 101 of the report showing consultation feedback needed to be changed to Worplesdon.  The Committee were updated that a code of conduct for cycling is included within Surrey County Council’s 'Framework of co-ordinating and approving events on Surrey's highway' document.  Good practice guidance and a charter for Cycle Sportive Organiser is also being developed.

The Local Committee (Guildford) agreed that:

(i)    A rolling engagement programme be established, giving residents an online resource to submit suggestions, make comments and review completed improvements to cycling infrastructure hosted on the Travel SMART website

(ii)   The successful stakeholder workshops established before the public consultation period be continued, so the stakeholders have the opportunity to discuss developing schemes as well as strategy;

(iii)  The Transportation Task Group considers the consultation responses in more detail, with the aim of agreeing and reviewing a prioritised list of Cycling Plan actions including infrastructure proposals.

(iv)The Cycling Plan be incorporated into the Guildford Local Transport Strategy.

(v)  Reports seeking future funding for cycle infrastructure can be submitted to the Local Committee for consideration

Reasons:

The public consultation of the Guildford Local Cycling Plan has provided a wealth of well informed, constructive and useful comments and suggestions which will help shape the future of cycling Guildford. The consultation received an almost unanimously positive response, with respondents encouraging the Council to invest in more cycling infrastructure and other actions to promote cycling and promote safety.  

In order to facilitate continued dialogue with local stakeholder groups, and interested residents, it is recommended to provide a permanent online resource for people to submit this information, and where updates on Cycling Plan delivery and progress can also be provided to the public. It is recognised that the delivery of the Cycling Plan is an ongoing process, responding to new infrastructure opportunities, the development of new promotional and safety campaigns and the progress of the Guildford Local Plan. It is also clear from the consultation responses that the design of cycle facilities is of great interest to residents, therefore the engagement process needs to be maintained as schemes are developed.

There are a number of lower cost quick wins that have been identified during the process which could provide significant benefits to cyclists. Alongside the Guildford Transport town centre transport package, these may represent an opportunity for earlier implementation.