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PRESENT: Councillors James Evans (Chairman), George Bathurst and Derek Wilson.

David Layzell (Maidenhead Cyclists Action Group), Paul Messing (Maidenhead Cyclists Action Group), Mark Powell (Resident), Andrew Payne (Resident), Harold Bodenhofer (Resident) and Susy Shearer (Resident).

Officers: Gordon Oliver, Patrick Romaya and David Cook

25/13 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies received from Cllr Beer, David Lambourne, Gary Taylor and Peter England.

26/13 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

27/13 MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 2 October 2013 be approved.

28/13 WINDSOR CYCLING WORKSHOP

Gordon Oliver, Principal Transport Policy Officer, introduced the report that summarised the outcome of the workshop that considered cycling issues and proposals for future infrastructure in Windsor.

The Forum were informed that the workshop as a whole felt that Windsor should be a safe town to cycle, where traffic flows freely and local commuters have easy access across bridges.

The Workshop considered different approaches to providing for cyclists in the UK and Europe and although there was no overall agreement on the right approach there was an overall desire for segregation. The Forum were informed that the workshop also produced a list of other desirable features such as reduced speed limits, cyclist priority at traffic signals and connecting cycle routes through the town.

The Forum were informed that the workshop also considered routes that used by local cyclists and issues that they faced. The results were shown within the report and common themes were identified such as; the A308 being too narrow and not ideal for cycling, Clewer Village requiring better signage and Dedworth Road being a priority to name a few. The report also detailed cyclist casualties and proposed new routes.

The Forum were shown a list of proposed actions to improve cycling for Windsor these came under the following headings:

Improved east-west links.
Investigate links through Windsor Great Park.
Improved link between Clewer Village and Windsor & Eton Riverside Station.
Explore options for exempting cyclists from the one-way restriction in Eton.
Improve cycle parking.

During discussion on the report a number of points and questions were raised, in particular:

The Portfolio Member, Councillor Hill, felt the proposals were a sensible way to proceed.
The schemes should be prioritised and done well rather than spreading investment too thinly. The Forum were informed that they would be prioritised and completed within 1 to 3 years, apart from Windsor Great Park which required external funding.
There were minor works that could be completed, such as clearing vegetation along existing cycleways.
The Local Sustainable Transport Fund programme ran a range of cycling initiatives and events such as Sky Ride Local, Workplace Cycle Challenge and Bike It.
Gordon Oliver would contact Streetcare to discuss adding cycle routes to the list of issues that could be reported to them.

RESOLVED: That the Cycle Forum note the outcomes from the Windsor Cycling Workshop and approve the next steps.

29/13 MAIDENHEAD CYCLING WORKSHOP

Gordon Oliver, Principal Transport Policy Officer, introduced the report that summarised the outcome of the workshop that considered cycling issues and proposals for future infrastructure in Maidenhead.

The Forum were informed that from a cycling perspective the workshop as a whole felt that Maidenhead should be a leading cycling town where cycling is safe, with linked routes and secured CCTV monitored cycle parking within the town centre and railway station.

As in Windsor the Workshop considered different approaches to providing for cyclists in the UK and Europe and although there was no overall agreement on the right approach they also had an overall desire for segregation. The Forum were informed that the workshop also produced a list of other desirable features including ideas such as reduced traffic speed in the town centre, traffic signals at roundabouts that are hazardous for cyclists and shared use of underpasses.

The Forum were shown a list of proposed actions to improve cycling for Maidenhead, which came under the following headings:

Routes along and across the A4 to be a priority.
Improved Town Centre road network.
Consider permitted cycling on the Thames Path to Cookham.
Improved cycle parking.

During discussion on the report a number of points and questions were raised, in particular:

65 abandoned bikes had been removed from Maidenhead station by South West Trains and sent to Africa.
Contraflow cycle lanes should be introduced in one way streets.
There would be a meeting with the Thames Path Management Group to discuss cycling along the Thames Path.
The Stafferton Way Link Road would be considered by the Maidenhead Development Control Panel in April 2014.
Shared use paths may not be desirable for long journeys but they would be useful for short sections in the town.

RESOLVED: That the Cycle Forum note the outcomes from the Maidenhead Cycling Workshop and approve the next steps.

30/13 A4 CYCLE ROUTE MAIDENHEAD

Gordon Oliver, Principal Transport Policy Officer, introduced the report that described the proposed new cycle route along the A4 between Maidenhead Bridge and the town centre.

The Forum were informed that although there was no dedicated cycling infrastructure the eastern approach into Maidenhead town centre remained one of the most popular routes for cyclists. Discussions had been held with neighbouring authorities about connecting Maidenhead and Slough along the A4 and Buckinghamshire County Council were bidding for funding to complete their section.

The report highlighted three options that were considered for an eastern cycle route and the Forum were informed that providing a bi-directional cycle route along the south side of the A4 was proposed as it did not require the use of subways to cross the A4, there were fewer problems with bus stops and fewer points of conflict with private access issues and side roads.

During discussion on the report a number of points and questions were raised, in particular:

It was felt that a two-way cycle route on the south side of the A4 was not the best solution due to issues at Waldeck Road, Oldfield Road and Guards Club Road.
The land at Sadlers Mews at the corner of Oldfield Road and the A4 could be used to widen the pavement.
There would be safety issues with vehicles giving way at the clinic due to restricted visibility.
A long term vision should be put in place and then work on achieving it.
Consideration could be given to completing the east to west route prior to looking at solutions for the west to east route.
Even though the bridge was listed it should be an aspiration to solve the problem of it being a main blockage point.
Cyclists need to cross the A4 at the end of Moorbridge Road. Ideally this would be a surface crossing, but if not, it was questioned if it would be possible to widen the existing underpass.
The Forum were encouraged to be part of the Local Plan consultation.
A further workshop should be held to look at solutions to providing cycle access along the A4.

RESOLVED: That a workshop meet on 18^th March to make new A 4 proposals to the cycle forum.

31/13 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2014/15

Gordon Oliver, Principal Transport Policy Officer, circulated a report highlighting the schemes being proposed as part of the 2014/15 Cycling Capital Programme. This included £148k for cycling schemes, £50k for safer routes to schools and £50k for school cycle and scooter parking. The proposed schemes would require approval from the Cabinet Prioritisation Sub-Committee.

Members of the Forum suggested that the cycle route between Clewer Village and Windsor could be made safer by moving sections onto the opposite side of the road, it was questioned how much it would cost to complete a cycle route between Maidenhead and Windsor and it was noted that the Trevelyan School zebra crossing upgrade had been added to the list at a request from the school.

RESOLVED: That the Cycle Forum note and agree the proposed capital programme.

32/13 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2013/14 UPDATE

Gordon Oliver, Principal Transport Policy Officer, introduced the report that provided an update on the progress of the 2013/14 capital programme. The Council had approved a cycling capital programme totalling £142k that was funded from S106 contributions.

The Forum considered the progress of the projects highlighted within the report. It was noted that the yellow lines along Altwood Road had not been completed. Also, the Peascod Street scheme was being revised, since it conflicted with the proposed pedestrianisation scheme. Proposals were being worked up to provide additional cycle parking in Oxford Road East and William Street.

RESOLVED: That the Cycle Forum note the progress of the 2013/14 capital programme and the issues raised within the report.

33/13 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Chairman, Cllr Evans, read out an email from Cllr Yong that highlighted the need to introduce a more integrated approach to cycling. The Chairman also mentioned that cycling and cycle routes should also be given consideration at planning meetings..

Members of the Cycle Forum were alerted to the Local Plan consultation and were encouraged to respond.

34/13 DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

It was agreed that the April meeting be postponed with a further meeting arranged prior to the start of the new Municipal Year on 20 May.

35/13 MEETING

The meeting, which began at 7.00pm, ended at 9.10pm.