Purpose

Tameside Council was successful in securing £60,000 of cycle parking capital funding from Transport for Greater Manchester’s Consolidated Active Travel Fund.

The successful bid – Tameside Cycle Hangar Pilot Project – was appended to this report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2.

The project sought to:

i)         Deliver an in-person workshop with Members to learn from other GM districts’ practical experience in delivering cycling hangars.

ii)       Undertake a borough-wide demand assessment for on-street cycle parking.

iii)     Develop a Strategic Delivery Plan for cycle hangars and short-stay cycle parking.

iv)     Deliver a pilot programme of at least five cycle hangars across the Borough.

v)       Deliver a programme of short-stay Sheffield stand cycle parking at key destinations.

vi)     Establish a framework for future rollout of cycle hangars across Tameside.

The project supported Tameside's ambitions to increase cycling, improve access to secure cycle storage and support choice for residents who may wish to cycle, but cannot due to limited storage space at home.

Future consultancy appointments to support delivery of the project will be subject to subsequent approvals and procurement in accordance with the Council's Contract Procedure Rules.

Decision

i)                   That approval be given to accept £60,000 Greater Manchester Combined Active Travel funding allocation from Transport for Greater Manchester, together with entry into any necessary grant agreement.

ii)                The proposed programme of work for the Tameside On-Street Cycle Hangars Pilot be approved, subject to subsequent approvals and procurement in accordance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules. 

Reasons for the decision

Approval is required to accept GM Consolidated Active Travel grant funding from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to support the delivery of the Tameside Cycle Hangars Pilot, subject to procurement and approvals.

Detail on the proposed pilot can be found in Appendix 1, Appendix 2. 

Alternative options considered

Option 1: Decline the funding

This option was rejected as it would result in the loss of external funding and a missed opportunity to support the development of cycling infrastructure and active travel initiatives within the Borough.

Option 2: Accept the funding but reconsider the scope of the proposed pilot project

This option was rejected as it would reduce the opportunity to fully assess demand for cycle parking and develop a strategic approach to future delivery. The proposed programme provides both practical pilot interventions; an evidence base to inform future investment; and in-person engagement to introduce the concept and benefits of cycle hangars to elected members.