Agenda item

Cycling Routes

It was moved by Councillor Jack Clarkson, seconded by Councillor Keith Davis, that this Council:-

(a)       believes, as a result of the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire,  that Sheffield has seen a dramatic increase of cyclists around the city, which is not only good for the health and wellbeing of cycle users themselves, but also for non-cyclists as a result of the reduction in carbon emissions, etc;

(b)       believes that a respect for both cyclists and motor vehicle users seems to have grown, which needs to be built upon to ensure that this continues;

(c)        notes the expected underspend on the grey to green scheme, and believes that a proportion of that underspend should be used to provide a ‘safe space’ for cycling, as part of the grey to green scheme in Sheffield City Centre, and further believes that, although much has been done in relation to cycle lanes etc., further work to encourage more younger and elderly cycle users could be done;

(d)       supports the need to create a ‘protected cycle track’ around the city, for cyclists, in order to safeguard cycle users in congested areas of high volume traffic, so that people don’t have to cycle with motor traffic or come into conflict with people walking;

(e)       notes that, on a daily basis whilst travelling to and from work, the City is now seeing more and more cyclists using its roads;

(f)        supports such a scheme, which would engage more younger and older cycle users to feel safe and confident on the roads and streets around the City, which it is felt would encourage more people to cycle to and from work/school etc., reducing rush hour traffic; and

(g)       suggests to the Administration that a trial ‘protected cycle track’ is initiated to gauge the strength of feeling for such schemes around the City, which would enhance and make cycling even more attractive, and would further complement Sheffield’s aspirations to hold more cycling events in the near future.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Mazher Iqbal, seconded by Councillor Cate McDonald, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of paragraphs (c) to (g) and the addition of new paragraphs (c) to (h) as follows:-

(c)        confirms that it is committed to increasing the role of cycling in the city and 20 mph speed limits are being rolled out city wide which should improve the environment and safety for cyclists along existing carriageways;

(d)       notes that, in addition, a significant part of the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund (SCRIF) is being applied to improved cycling routes in Grey 2 Green Phase 2, through the University Campus/Upper Hanover, Moorfoot, the Station and the Lower Sheaf Valley;

(e)       notes that, in addition, the Council’s Transport Planning Service is also finalising a cycling strategy for the city, following a new study commissioned from  Sustrans, with further proposed plans and routes to be funded by SCRIF;

(f)        notes that the previously reported sum of £160,000 (around 4% of the scheme value) is already part of the approved funding of the Grey to Green Phase 1 scheme;

(g)       notes there are strict contract conditions about the use of this funding, which comes from SCRIF and the European Regional Development Fund; and

(h)       notes that the meeting of the Cabinet on 27th May 2015 resolved that a report would be submitted to a future meeting on all suitable options on the underspend on the Grey to Green Scheme and confirms that the use for cycling will be considered as part of this, alongside other considerations.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

The original Motion, as amended, as then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

Resolved: that this Council:-

(a)       believes, as a result of the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire, that Sheffield has seen a dramatic increase of cyclists around the city, which is not only good for the health and wellbeing of cycle users themselves, but also for non-cyclists as a result of the reduction in carbon emissions, etc;

(b)       believes that a respect for both cyclists and motor vehicle users seems to have grown, which needs to be built upon to ensure that this continues;

(c)        confirms that it is committed to increasing the role of cycling in the city and 20 mph speed limits are being rolled out city wide which should improve the environment and safety for cyclists along existing carriageways;

(d)       notes that, in addition, a significant part of the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund (SCRIF) is being applied to improved cycling routes in Grey 2 Green Phase 2, through the University Campus/Upper Hanover, Moorfoot, the Station and the Lower Sheaf Valley;

(e)       notes that, in addition, the Council’s Transport Planning Service is also finalising a cycling strategy for the city, following a new study commissioned from  Sustrans, with further proposed plans and routes to be funded by SCRIF;

(f)        notes that the previously reported sum of £160,000 (around 4% of the scheme value) is already part of the approved funding of the Grey to Green Phase 1 scheme;

(g)       notes there are strict contract conditions about the use of this funding, which comes from SCRIF and the European Regional Development Fund; and

(h)       notes that the meeting of the Cabinet on 27th May 2015 resolved that a report would be submitted to a future meeting on all suitable options on the underspend on the Grey to Green Scheme and confirms that the use for cycling will be considered as part of this, alongside other considerations.