The Communities & Transport Scrutiny Committee of Stockport Council met on Monday 03 March 2025 to review the annual progress of the One Stockport Safety Partnership, discuss the proposed transportation capital programme for the upcoming year, and consider updates on the council's approach to access controls and cycling strategy. The committee also reviewed its work programme for future meetings.

One Stockport Safety Partnership (OSSP) - Annual Review and Partnership Update

The committee was scheduled to consider a report from the Deputy Chief Executive providing an update on the key achievements of partnership working across various organisations. This update was intended to cover the progress made against the OSSP's themes and priorities during the 2024/25 period. The report also outlined the priorities within the three themes of OSSP's Plan for 2025-28. The committee was recommended to consider the OSSP 2024/25 Annual Update presentation, note the priorities for the upcoming plan, and provide any comments or reflections on the issues presented.

Transportation Capital Programme 2025-26

A report from the Director of Place Management was scheduled for discussion, detailing the proposed Transportation capital programme for 2025/26, with an indicative programme for future years where possible. This programme is considered essential for delivering the council's regeneration goals, promoting active and public transport, enhancing flood resilience, strengthening access to regeneration areas, and ensuring reliable transport throughout the borough. The report outlined various funding sources, including the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and Active Travel Funds. The committee was recommended to comment on the proposed programme and recommend its approval by the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services, in line with the council budget.

Stockport Council’s Progress on the Removal of Access Controls

The committee was set to receive an update on the council's progress regarding access controls, following the adoption of the Access Controls Policy. The report aimed to inform members about the council's approach to these controls, which include features like A-frames, gates, and stiles, often designed to deter illegitimate users but which can also inhibit legitimate users, particularly those engaged in active travel. The report detailed the council's progress since the policy's adoption in December 2022, including the mapping of known access controls and the removal or amendment of ten such controls, with five more planned. The committee was recommended to note and comment on this report.

Scrutiny Review Panel - Stockport Cycling Strategic Review

A report from the Communities and Transport Review Panel was scheduled for consideration, detailing a review into Stockport's cycling strategy. The review panel, comprising Councillor Jon Byrne (Chair), Councillor Joe Barratt, Councillor Dominic Hardwick, Councillor Dan Oliver, and Councillor Matt Wynne, had met multiple times and conducted a site visit to a delivered cycle scheme. The report outlined the panel's findings and recommendations, which included developing a fully mapped active travel network plan, prioritising protected cycleways along main arterial routes, further integrating cycling provision into the council's core strategy, improving safety and accessibility for women in active travel, enhancing consultation and stakeholder engagement, accelerating efforts to remove non-compliant access control measures, establishing regular tours of active travel infrastructure outcomes, and expanding the implementation of 20mph zones to support safer active travel. The committee was recommended to note the report and endorse its recommendations.

Scrutiny Work Programme

Finally, the committee was to consider a report from the Democratic Services Manager outlining planned agenda items for the committee's next meeting and forward plan items within its remit. The committee was invited to consider this information and propose any additional agenda items for future meetings.