To receive the report.

Members received an update on the Sustainable Travel Transition Fund Bid. It was noted that, to cover the gap between the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) and the Access Fund, the Department for Transport had made £20 million of revenue funding available for packages of sustainable transport initiatives that could be delivered in 2016/17

The Royal Borough had submitted a bid to the Sustainable Travel Transition Year Fund entitled ‘Travel Wise Windsor and Maidenhead’. This was a coordinated package of measures designed to support the economic development and ongoing regeneration of Maidenhead and Windsor town centres. The bid’s objectives were:

•          To reduce the number of people travelling by car and increase in the proportion of trips made by walking, cycling and public transport; with the consequent benefits of easing traffic congestion on the local road networks. A number of potential partners had been identified, for example Maidenhead  Cycle Hub.

•          To improve accessibility to of the town centres and surrounding areas for employment and education.

•          To promote and secure carbon reduction.

•          To improve the health and quality of life of residents.

•          To improve the attractiveness of Maidenhead and Windsor as locations for private sector investment, business and tourism; therefore, supporting local development and employment growth. 

•          To maximise the impact of the Local Growth Fund investment in local transport infrastructure.

The bid for revenue funding incorporated a range of complementary activities aimed at local people, business and schools including:

•          Station travel plans for Maidenhead and Windsor and Eton Central.

•          Travel training for children and adults who have difficulties in travelling independently.

•          A Workplace Cycle Challenge to challenge teams and workplaces to compete to see who can get the most people cycling within a defined period.

•          A programme of cycling skills / maintenance classes, improvements to cycling information and led bike rides.

•          School travel planning activities, including Bike It, Walk to School Week events and development of formal kiss and drop schemes to tackle congestion outside schools.

Unfortunately, the bid had not been successful, because the Department for Transport (DfT) considered that it did not fit strongly enough with the fund’s objectives. They advised that while the bid had a clear strategic case, it would have benefitted from making a more measurable link between the planned interventions and carbon reduction and that the value for money case needed to be stronger.

The Forum noted that since the report had been written, guidance had been released on the Access Fund. Revenue funding of £60m would be available. The council was keen to work with local groups and businesses to generate ideas.

It was also noted that the Royal Borough had submitted a bid to the Local Growth fund for the ‘Maidenhead Missing Links’ project, which sought to deliver improvements to local walking and cycling routes and the public realm to ensure that the redeveloped opportunity sites were integrated with the wider town centre and surrounding areas.

It was explained that the Maidenhead Cycle Hub was a community interest company that recycled old bikes and provided training. Councillor Beer suggested the council should help publicise the organisation, for example in Around the Royal Borough.

Action: The Principal Transport Policy Officer be asked to liaise with Mark Powell about potential publicity opportunities for the Maidenhead Cycle Hub.

Susy Shearer asked if there were any proposals for Windsor. The Principal Transport Policy Officer responded that the previous bid had had a Maidenhead focus, but could be widened out to the borough linking to the Missing Links project and NCN422 in Windsor. He would be happy to discuss with Windsor organisations.

An analysis of successful transport bids had been undertaken, the details of which would be circulated to the group.

Action: The Principal Transport Policy Officer to circulate the analysis of successful transport bids.

Susy Shearer asked what links would be made to Slough, she understood Slough was planning a cycle storage facility at the station. The Principal Transport Policy Officer advised that the facility had already been constructed. There was a charge for use but users were not paying.

David Lambourne commented that there was no off road facility for adults wanting to learn to ride in the borough, unlike in Hillingdon. The Principal Transport Policy Officer responded that physical activity colleagues were working on adult cycle initiatives such as Learn to Ride. David Lambourne stated that he would be happy to host a visit to the Hillingdon facility outside of the meeting, for attendees of the Forum.

Action: The web link to the Hillingdon facility be circulated.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That members of the Cycle Forum note the outcome of the bid and identify possible measures for inclusion in a possible future bid to the access fund.

Councillor Beer left the meeting at 7.50pm