Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Document Title: Minutes of the Cycle Forum – 18 April 2012
Author: Michael Kiely
Creation Date: April 2012
PRESENT: Councillors James Evans (Chairman), Malcolm Beer and Councillor Derek Wilson.

Karl Benz (Guards Club Residents Association), Margaret Bowdery (Maidenhead Cyclists Action Group and Ramblers Association), Peter England (CTC), Trevor Hunter (Resident), David Layzell (Maidenhead Cyclists Action Group), and Paul Messing (Maidenhead Cyclists Action Group).

Officers: Michael Kiely and Gordon Oliver.

36/11 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Roy Fabry.

37/11 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

38/11 MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 11^th January 2012, be approved, subject to noting that Peter England had submitted his apologies, and that the penultimate bullet point on page ii be amended at the request of Mrs Bowdery to read:

In relation to the Sustrans Cycle Route at Summerleaze, it was reported that the landowner had installed structures which were difficult to negotiate by bike. A hope was expressed that a letter could be sent to the landowner, requesting that they be replaced with a more suitable design. Mrs Bowdery also stated that Maidenhead Cycle Map showed the Sustrans 50 route having an exit onto Summerleaze Road whereas this was not the case

39/11 THE TIMES NEWSPAPER “CITIES FIT FOR CYCLING” CAMPAIGN

The Forum noted the content of the report which summarised the activities of the campaign, the government’s response and the Borough’s own response.

During the discussion the following comments were made:

Ø There was a 67% increase in the capital programme for cycling, which was welcomed by the Forum.
Ø The junction of Slough Road and Pococks Lane was dangerous. This was due in part to it being a rat run, that the local area was in places quite well lit, whilst in others it was not.
Ø A Highways Officer within the Borough had expressed concern to a Forum member about the safety benefits of Trixie style mirrors. It was agreed that the Principal Transport Policy Officer would speak to him about the matter to ensure Borough policy was consistent.
Ø Members expressed support for an increased number of 20mph zones. One member expressed a hope that 20mph could be the standard for predominantly residential areas (this would also serve to discourage the use of rat runs).
Ø Self-enforcement of speeds was also discussed. This could involve the use of chicanes and humps, along with community speedwatch volunteers issuing letters (via the Police) to speeders in their local areas.
Ø Members noted the development in other countries of road surfaces where there were no footpaths, to encourage safe community use by all. This included formal ‘shared use’ schemes.
Ø The Chairman suggested that some of the approaches adopted in the Borough’s twin towns might be worthy of consideration. The Principal Transport Policy Officer agreed to look into this and prepare a paper for a future meeting.
Ø A member observed that the UK as a whole was not cycle orientated. It was suggested that the Times campaign and the Borough’s response should be better publicised as a summary document in parish notice boards, libraries and cycle shops.

ACTION: The Principal Transport Policy Officer to review the work of the twin towns, and to consider the publication of a summary of the Times Campaign and the Borough’s response to it.

40/11 CYCLE FORUM SOCIAL MEDIA SITE

The Forum noted that the Cycle Forum Social Media site had been established and that members were now free to sign up and use it.

It was explained that it was easy to use and would include local and national news. It would also include details of current schemes, for consideration and comment, in an online forum setting. Members were able to add photos and files, so if they observed local problems or good schemes elsewhere in the country or overseas they could be posted as suggestions.

In a brief discussion the following comments were made:

Ø The Chairman encouraged the use of such an innovative tool.
Ø It was agreed the Principal Transport Policy Officer would approach bike shops with a view to inviting them to sign up.
Ø The site had the capacity for 50 users and this could be expanded to 200 users at very minimal cost to the Borough.
Ø It was not known whether members who registered could be automatically notified of new articles or posts. The Principal Transport Policy Officer agreed to look into this.

ACTION: The Principal Transport Policy Officer to take account of the above comments.

41/11 CYCLE MAINTENANCE FUNDING

The Forum noted that the Borough’s Cabinet had recently considered a petition which sought changes to local highway maintenance standards to better take account of the needs of cyclists. The report provided details of the petition and Cabinet’s decision. It invited members of the Forum to identify and prioritise locations where maintenance should be carried out.

During the discussion the following comments were made:

Ø Cabinet’s response was that the existing policy met best practice and national policy. A member questioned this viewpoint.
Ø The Head of Highways and Engineering had agreed to the establishment of a workshop, which he would lead on. Also in attendance would be a Highways Inspector. Members were encouraged to volunteer to be the Forum’s representatives on the workshop.
Ø A member suggested that the project title should be changed as it could appear to some that bike repairs were being funded.
Ø A member commented that maintenance should be to a suitable standard in the first place.
Ø The existence of a DfT survery on highway maintenance was highlighted. It could be viewed at http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/potholes-review-progress-report
Ø It was agreed that Forum membership of the workshop should include Councillor James Evans, Councillor Malcolm Beer, Karl Benz, Peter England and David Layzell. It was also agreed that Clive Baskerville should be invited. The workshop would be a daytime meeting.

ACTION: That the establishment of a workshop be supported and progress be reported to the next meeting of the Forum.

42/11 LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN CONSULTATION

The Forum received a copy of the Local Transport Plan 2012 to 2026 Summary Document. Members who had not responded to the consultation were encouraged to do so, as the deadline was 30^th April 2012.

During the discussion the following comments were made:

Ø The consultation had been promoted via two press releases, promotion to Parishes, and the attendance of numerous Borough forums by the Principal Transport Policy Officer.
Ø It was suggested that a link should be placed on the borough’s “Get Active” website. The Head of Leisure services (Kevin Mist) was suggested as the main contact.
Ø Discussion took place on the cycle movements statistics. It was explained that the number of cycle trips during the 2006 data capture formed the base statistic. Windsor was performing adequately on this statistic but Maidenhead residents did not appear to be cycling as much as they should. It was not known why this was but it was suggested that Maidenhead suffered less congestion than Windsor, and that it was reflective of the general economic decline in Maidenhead town centre.

Action: Forum members to note the consultation and respond before the deadline of 30^th April 2012.

43/11 2012/13 CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Forum received the report which outlined the proposed Cycling Capital Programme for 2012/13. Members were invited to comment upon the proposed schemes and prioritise/agree the schemes for the capital programme.

During the discussion, the following comments were made:

Ø The Principal Transport Policy Officer summarised each scheme listed.
Ø Star Lane was in need of repair and formed part of National Cycle Route 4.
Ø It was agreed that more detail on each of the proposed new schemes should be posted on the new social media webpage. Members and other interested parties would then be free to look at them in more detail and submit comments.
Ø It was agreed that the Principal Transport Policy Officer would provide Councillor Derek Wilson with more information about proposed cycling improvements for Shoppenhangers Road, Maidenhead.
Ø Discussion took place on the contribution made by Parishes to schemes in their local areas. A view was expressed that they could use more of their precepts to fund cycling schemes. It was agreed that this was a matter best brought up with the Lead Member for Planning and Partnerships (Councillor Christine Bateson) and also via an item on the agenda for the Parish Conference. The Chairman agreed to contact Councillor Mrs Bateson.
Ø Members suggested that improvements around the Pocock’s Lane junction in Eton should be added to the list of schemes.

Action: The Principal Transport Policy Officer to post the schemes on the social media site, and the Chairman to contact Councillor Mrs Bateson on the matter of Parish contributions.

44/11 LOCAL SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT FUND BID

The Forum noted the content of the report which highlighted details of the bid. It was submitted to Government in February 2012.

During the discussion, the following comments were made:

Ø The award of any monies was likely to be announced in June or July 2012.
Ø There would be a lot of work in delivering the funded projects, if the bid was successful.
Ø If the bid was successful, it would be highly publicised.

45/11 ANNUAL CYCLING REVIEW

The Forum received a general presentation on cycling in the Borough. It summarised recent cycling initiatives, data capture in Windsor and in Maidenhead on the number of trips made by bike, cycle safety and cycle thefts.

During the discussion, the following comments were made:

Ø It was noted that a majority of cyclists were male.
Ø The Principal Transport Policy Officer agreed to investigate the ongoing works at West Street and provide an update to Councillor Derek Wilson.
Ø A view was expressed that most cycling accidents went unreported.
Ø The cycling theft statistics did not include thefts from within homes, sheds and garages.
Ø The behaviour of a small minority of cyclists in Windsor and Maidenhead was generating a bad name for all cyclists in the Borough.
Ø A suggestion was made that simple to understand ‘rules of cycling’ leaflets should be produced. These could be handed to those behaving incorrectly in the hope of educating them better. The leaflets could also be promoted in cycle shops, libraries, citizenship packs, and through Neighbourhood Action Groups. The Principal Transport Policy Officer advised that such a leaflet might already be available. He agreed to discuss it with Karl Benz, outside of the meeting.
Ø A query was raised on the use and regulation of powered scooters. These were larger than bikes and were able to travel faster than a brisk walking pace.

Action: The Principal Transport Policy Officer to investigate the works at West Street, Maidenhead, and explore further the distribution of educational leaflets.

46/11 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

It was noted that Nation Bike Week 2012 was scheduled for 16^th to 24^th June.

47/11 ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON FUTURE CYCLE FORUM AGENDAS

There were no suggestions at the meeting, but members were encouraged to consider posting their thoughts on the social media site.



At the conclusion of the discussion the Forum placed on record their thanks to the Democratic Services Officer (Michael Kiely), who was leaving the Borough.

48/11 MEETING

The meeting, which began at 7.00pm, ended at 8.56pm.