Agenda item

Resolved:

(i)              That the draft phase one Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) produced for Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield be endorsed and recommended to the Combined Authority.

(ii)             That the draft phase one Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) produced for Bradford be endorsed and recommended to the Combined Authority, except any part of the proposals which fall outside the Bradford boundary, which would be subject to further engagement.

(iii)           That the proposed approach to further development of the LCWIPs, and their integration into the Combined Authority policy, as daughter documents of the West Yorkshire Transport Strategy 2040, be endorsed.

(iv)           That the progress made in developing a Future West Yorkshire Strategic Cycle Network Map be noted.

The Committee considered a report which set out the approach to Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPS).

The Committee was informed of the consultation process to date as well as the next steps for the LCWIPS work which included approval from the Combined Authority in April 2020 and their adoption by the respective partner councils.

Members raised concerns around the Bradford LCWIP and the lack of engagement on the parts of the proposals which fall outside of the Bradford boundary. It was felt that there had been insufficient consultation on this aspect of the Bradford LCWIP.

The Chair acknowledged the need for further engagement and proposed to members that those parts of the Bradford LCWIPs which fell beyond the Bradford boundary would not be endorsed at the meeting and would be subject to further engagement.

Members expressed concerns that there had been wider flaws in the consultation process between key partners. It was suggested that cycling clubs in Kirklees had not been consulted and that the emphasis had been on consulting national cycling groups rather than local clubs. Issues were raised regarding the Kirklees LCWIP depositing cyclists at a bypass and the lack of incorporation with existing cycling infrastructure such as the Spen Valley Greenway.

Members considered the approach to consultation it noted that it was important not simply to consult groups which already used sustainable modes of transport but to reach out and consult groups who did not.

Members discussed the ongoing development of design principles for both walking and cycling and requested that officers engage with all partner councils to share best practice. It was also noted that pedestrians should be at the forefront of LCWIPS as well as cyclists.

Members discussed the overall good work that had been carried out across the districts in developing the LCWIPs and felt that the LCWIPS could play an important role in promoting the use of cycling and walking. Members noted that at the current time there was no funding available for LCWIPs, but the plans would inform future bids should funding be made available.

Councillor Bolt wished the Committee to note his opposition to the recommendations in the submitted report.

Resolved:

(i)              That the draft phase one Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) produced for Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield be endorsed and recommended to the Combined Authority.

(ii)             That the draft phase one Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) produced for Bradford be endorsed and recommended to the Combined Authority, except any part of the proposals which fall outside the Bradford boundary, which would be subject to further engagement.

(iii)           That the proposed approach to further development of the LCWIPs, and their integration into the Combined Authority policy, as daughter documents of the West Yorkshire Transport Strategy 2040, be endorsed.

(iv)           That the progress made in developing a Future West Yorkshire Strategic Cycle Network Map be noted.