To consider the report.

Gordon Oliver, Principle Transport Policy Officer, introduced the report that provided an update on the progress in delivering the Council’s 2015-16 Capital Programme for items that came under the scope of the Forum. 

The forum went through the table at 2.2 (page 13) that highlighted progress for each scheme (including slipped schemes).  A number of comments were made specifically on the following projects:

·         A308 Maidenhead Road. 

Chris Heywood raised concern that along the A308 route from Maidenhead to Windsor there were an number of pinch points that could be improved, for example Bray Road and A3010 is not only narrow but also had overgrowing vegetation / branches that made it difficult to cycle.  

There were other issues along the route such as white lines going across the cycle lane on Canon Hill Way to give way to traffic entering / leaving the side road and this raised concerns of safety when cars pulled out to join the A308.   Gordon Oliver reported that officers had looked at this but they had no choice but to stop cyclists as cars could not see the approach.  Chris Heywood recommended that if this was the case then there should be lines to stop approaching cars as well.

Resolved that: officers to investigate the concerns raised and cycle the route with Chris Heywood.

It was questioned why the cycle route no longer had a red safety strip as when originally installed.  The Forum were informed that at the time there was less acceptance of and understanding of cycling safety and local residents lobbied to have the ‘red’ removed.

·         Wells Lane, Ascot.

Officers had walked the route and following recent surfacing work, it only requires minor drainage improvements.

·         Cycle parking at Windsor and Eton Riverside.

The Forum noted that this was a South West Trains project that had slipped.  The tender was more then they expected and they were currently reviewing to see what could be done.

(Cllr Beer joined the meeting)

David Layzell recommended that the cycle route along Barry Avenue, Windsor, be moved to the other side of the road to improve safety as people were opening car doors into the cycleway.

Resolved that: Gordon Oliver to raise this with the Parking Manager.

Chris Heywood raised concern about the lack of available cycle parking capacity at Maidenhead Station.  The following discussion resulted in a request that an update be brought to a future meeting on the future plans for the station.  The Forum were informed that the initial proposals were due back soon and that it may have to be a short, medium and long term project due to land ownership issues. 

The Chairman mentioned that with the Landing development and Crossrail coming in 2019, there was a need for additional car parking and cycle parking for the station.  He agreed to bring an update at a future meeting.

Resolved that: An update on Maidenhead station be brought to a future meeting.

(Luke McCarthy joined the meeting)

A number of issues were raised about Stafferton Way, Maidenhead, as there were still issues with cars pulling out of the retail park and drivers waiting on the cycle path until the way was clear.  It was recommended that cyclists be given priority and that drivers should be made to stop prior to the cycle lane to make sure the way was clear.

Resolved that: Officers be asked to look at traffic regulations to see if this was possible.

Harry Bodenhofer mentioned that  surface of the Green Way between Stafferton Way and Green Lane was very poor. 

Andrew Payne commented that the surface on the old section of Stafferton Way was poor and should be included in future resurfacing programmes.

Resolved that: the Cycle Forum note the report and the resolutions made at the meeting.