·         Cycle Wayfinding

·         Cycling in Peascod Street, Windsor

·         Neighbourhood Plans

·         River Thames crossings

Cycle Wayfinding

Susy Shearer stated wayfinding and information about new signage in Town Centres was raised at the Visitor Management Forum; there was generally more signage to the  entrance in the town for tourists and residents. The Windsor Neighbourhood Plan Group had been looking at signage for tourists, cyclists and pedestrians. The group wanted better engagement that wold link tourism, cycling and residents with the Cycle Forum and the Visitor Management Forum. The Chairman commented that Members of the Cycle Forum should have a think about ideas to encourage cycling in the Borough and send them to The Principal Transport Officer.

Councillor Beer stated there were still signs in Old Windsor for the Thames Path which stated no cycling allowed but, that only applied to some parts of the Thames Path and not others. The Principal Transport Officer stated Anthony Hurst had been liaising with organisations that maintained the Thames Path to try and get the signage resolved. Susy Shearer said it would be raised as part of the Neighbourhood Plan to try and get cycling access along the whole of the Thames Path.

Residents wanted to know who shared use areas where both pedestrians and cyclists were present were being managed, following the tragic death of a pedestrian by a cyclist. The Principal Transport Officer stated the Council did not encourage shared use where possible but, it was extremely challenging. The Chairman agreed it should be a priority issue to protect both cyclists and pedestrians but, the problem was old road networks and limited space. The Principal Transport Officer confirmed that it was very rare in the Borough to have pedestrian fatalities caused by cyclists. The borough had very narrow roads without enough land to widen cycle paths.

Cycling in Peascod Street

Susy Shearer stated Peascod Street was a principal shopping area which had been pedestrianised for 22 years. There were no cycling signs at the top of the street but they were not visible to cyclists as they were placed too high up the posts. A further sign at the bottom of Peascod Street and to the left on Charles Street slightly lower down but, there were no other no cycling signs anywhere else despite there being six or seven entrances to the pedestrian areas. She added that cycling was on the increase on Peascod Street and it was only a matter of time before there was an accident. Susy Shearer added that cyclists were becoming more aggressive with an assault in Nicholsons Walk when a cyclist was asked to dismount but, there were no signs in the area to point out it was a no cycling zone. Other streets had far more signs. She added that signs should be on every lamppost in both directions of travel and at the right height. Councillor Yong suggested wardens issuing fines to discourage cyclists. The Chairman said he would get the signage checked and then get the wardens to patrol. The Principal Transport Officer said the sign very high up on Peascod Street was not correct so that would be illuminated more and it would be moved to the right place. There were ‘no entry gates’ at the bottom of Peascod Street to prevent cycles and vehicles and there was a sign on William Street. The Principal Transport Officer added that wardens did not have powers to stop traffic. The Chairman suggested a press release to stop cyclists in pedestrian areas and also positively promote and encourage cycling.

Ascot & the Sunnings Neighbourhood Plan

Councillor Yong stated the new hospital in Ascot had been approved with an aspiration to incorporate a cycle path. There were plans for 230 houses with a lot of workers commuting. At present the Borough needed to negotiate with Network rail as soon as possible to open up a route they closed years ago or, to talk to Crown Estate to release a small piece of land to enable the cycle path to join up.

River Thames Crossings

The Principal Transport Officer stated in relation to the new bridge going across Boulters Lock, it was going to be a footbridge only. Dual use was rejected and would only be for pedestrian use at certain times. The Council did lobby for dual use but the developer and South Bucks Council rejected it.

Task & Finish Group

The Chairman stated the Task & Finish Group was set up due to the Overview 7 Scrutiny process. The work carried out by the group would last approximately three months and would involve working on the Cycling Action Plan. The Principal Transport Officer stated there would be meetings where issues would be raised, officers would take those issues away and do work on them and this process would be repeated until all issues were as resolved as possible. The Chairman of the Highways, Transport & environment Overview & Scrutiny Panel requested input and representatives from the Cycle Forum to attend.