Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair, Cllr Sam Collins welcomed those present at the meeting, especially those attending to give presentations. 

Audio recording – 17 seconds

The Chair, Cllr Sam Collins welcomed those present at the meeting, especially those attending to give presentations.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gary Grindal, Ian Moody, Ruth Brown, Jean Green, Ian Brown (GACC) and Susan Van de Ven (Cambridgeshire County Council).

Audio recording – 3 minutes 0 seconds

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gary Grindal, Ian Moody, Ruth Brown, Jean Green, Sean Prendergast, Ian Brown (GACC) and Susan Van de Ven (Cambridgeshire County Council).

Members are reminded that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda, should be declared as either a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or Declarable Interest and are required to notify the Chair of the nature of any interest declared at the commencement of the relevant item on the agenda.  Members declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest must withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item. Members declaring a Declarable Interest, wishing to exercise a ‘Councillor Speaking Right’, must declare this at the same time as the interest, move to the public area before speaking to the item and then must leave the room before the debate and vote.

(1)       This meeting is about Transport Infrastructure and Active Travel.  Welcome to all those who are participating this evening;

(2)       In accordance with Council policy this meeting is being audio recorded as well as filmed. The audio recordings will be available to view on Mod.gov and the film recording via the NHDC YouTube channel;

(3)       Members are reminded to make declarations of interest before an item, the detailed reminder about this and speaking rights are set out under Chair’s Announcements on the agenda.

Audio recording – 3 minutes 42 seconds

(1)       This meeting is about Transport Infrastructure and Active Travel.  Welcome to all those who are participating this evening;

(2)       In accordance with Council policy this meeting is being audio recorded as well as filmed. The audio recordings will be available to view on Mod.gov and the film recording via the NHDC YouTube channel;

(3)       Members are reminded to make declarations of interest before an item, the detailed reminder about this and speaking rights are set out under Chair’s Announcements on the agenda.

To receive an overview of the cycling initiatives currently promoted within North Herts Council.

Daniel Washington - Transport Officer (North Herts Council) gave a presentation on the cycling initiatives currently promoted within North Herts Council. 

The Chair thanked Daniel Washington for his presentation.

Audio recording – 5 minutes 12 seconds

Daniel Washington - Transport Officer (North Herts Council) gave a presentation on the cycling initiatives currently promoted within North Herts Council.  He explained the presentation was from the District Council perspective.

The Chair, Cllr Sam Collins thanked Daniel Washington for his presentation and suggested if everyone was happy questions/discussion would be after all the presentations had been heard.

To receive an update from Hertfordshire County Council on the Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan and A505 Cycle & Walking Bridge, Royston and Melbourn Greenway.

Trevor Brennan from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) gave a presentation on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan and A505 Cycle & Walking Bridge, Royston and Melbourn Greenway.

The Chair thanked Trevor Brennan for his presentation.

Audio recording -  17 minutes 5 seconds

Trevor Brennan from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) introduced himself and then gave a presentation on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan and A505 Cycle & Walking Bridge, Royston and Melbourn Greenway.

He explained that a large percentage of journeys are less than five miles, and that road building is expensive and environmentally damaging.

The LCWIP process is to draft a cycling network.  Site auditing of the routes will start on 2 September 2021. 

HCC and NHDC will have some involvement in the planned walking/cycling bridge over the A505 which will form part of the Melbourn Greenway.

Again, the Chair thanked Trevor Brennan for his presentation and said questions/discussion would be at the end of the meeting.

To receive a presentation from Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation on the Letchworth Garden City Cycling Strategy.

David Ames from Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation presented on the Letchworth Garden City Cycling Strategy.

The Chair thanked David Ames for his presentation.

Audio recording – 34 minutes 27 seconds

David Ames from Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation introduced himself and presented on the Letchworth Garden City Cycling Strategy.

The aim of the Strategy is to support people of all abilities and ages.  A large social media campaign has taken place.  The report is to get discussions going.

A copy of the Letchworth Garden City Cycling Strategy can be viewed on-line at:

https://www.letchworth.com/cycling-strategy

The Chair thanked David Ames for his presentation and suggested moving on to the final presentation before questions/discussion.

To receive a presentation from Letchworth Cyclists on the Community Plan for a Letchworth Cycling and Walking Network.

Julia Sonander from Transition Town Letchworth presented on a Community Plan for a Letchworth Cycling and Walking Network.

The Chair thanked Julia Sonander for her presentation.

Audio recording – 48 minutes 46 seconds

The final presentation was by Julia Sonander from Transition Town Letchworth.

Julia explained a Community Plan for a Letchworth Cycling and Walking network started back in 2016-17.

They have tried to bring local knowledge into how to plan a network, and a few suggestions were:

·         Make a cycle lane by changing some roads to one-way.

·         Have Zebra and Tiger crossings together.

·         Make some of the roundabouts on cycling routes into Dutch Roundabout.

There is an interactive map on-line that can view.

www.transitionletchworth.org/letchworth-cyclists

The Chair thanked Julia Sonander for her presentation.

The Chair led a discussion / question time regarding the contributions to the meeting on Transport Infrastructure and Active Travel.

Audio recording – 1 hour 4 minutes 57 seconds

Following the presentations, the Chair led a discussion.

The following Members, Officers and Public asked questions and took part in the discussion:

·                Councillor Marilyn Parkin

·                Councillor David Levett

·                Councillor Steve Jarvis

·                Councillor Tony Hunter

·                Councillor Tina Bhartwas

·                Councillor Paul Clark

·                Councillor Ian Mantle

·                Councillor Guy Reed

·                Councillor Fiona Hill

·                Ms Julia Sonander

·                Ms Rachna Leveque

·                Mr Trevor Brennan

·                Mr Daniel Washington

Topics raised included:

·                The rural areas within North Herts Council

·                Maintenance of existing paths and cycling routes

·                Looking ahead and building e-bikes and e-scooters into the plan

·                The timeframe for the Melbourn Greenway

·                Cycle training in schools / retaining children cycling, particularly teenage girls

·                Ensuring walking and cycling routes are included in future planning

·                Working across Councils