Decision

That the report be noted. It was also agreed that the Committee would refer its views to Mayor and Cabinet, as follows:

·         The Committee reiterates the recommendations it made at its meeting on 19 June 2023 and requests that officers provide a comprehensive response:

·         that further information (and timelines) be provided on the implementation of cycle hangars, parklets and improvements to the transparency of communication around waiting lists for cycle parking.

·         that priority should be given to enforcing contraventions in areas with existing parking controls – particularly in the case of protected junctions, cycle lanes and anti-social pavement parking.

·         that the Committee would welcome further improvements and enlargement of protected space for active travel.

·         that the maps being used in the consultation should be updated with the current ward boundaries.

·         The Committee also recommends that Councillors (particularly those in wards impacted by the programme) be engaged at an early stage of the development of proposals – and kept up to date as consultations are carried out. The Committee believes that lessons from each stage of the consultation should be learnt in order to improve the following stages. Members also believe that further consideration should be given to engaging more effectively with the views and concerns of underrepresented groups.

·         The Committee recommends that consideration should be given to how best the advantages and benefits of active travel improvements (including new electric vehicle infrastructure, improved green spaces and cycle parking) can be communicated and enjoyed. Members believe that this should happen at an early stage of engagement with residents, in order to balance concerns regarding the potential perceived negative impacts, such as parking charges. Furthermore, the Committee believes that the improvements being delivered through the sustainable streets programme should be aligned with the Council’s broader ambitions for active travel.