Issue - meetings

          The Board received a report from the Executive Director – Environment and Regeneration which provided an update on the recent completion of a Halton specific Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) document.  Members also received a presentation which highlighted the main points of the report and demonstrated some examples of travel patterns, proposed cycle networks and walking routes round the Borough.  

          Members were reminded that the Liverpool City Region LCWIP document was produced in 2019 and approved by the Combined Authority.  This document was presented to this Board on 26 February 2020 and since then, several schemes identified in the report had either been completed or were in the process of being taken forward, including:

·       Runcorn-Daresbury – completed;

·       Runcorn Busway - to be delivered in phases; Shopping City to Runcorn East Station/Whitehouse near to completion;

·       Silver Jubilee Bridge to Sandy Lane/Knowsley boundary – completed; and

·       Wilmere Lane/Birchfield Road – subject to ongoing design/consultation and funding.

The LCWIP sets out the structure and strategic direction to allow the development and delivery of a planned active travel network for Halton over a 10 year period for its residents, workers and visitors. The routes would be designed to offer safe and convenient alternatives for walking and cycling and had been prioritised based on elements such as connectivity to new developments; existing population; employment and services; air quality issues and deliverability.  The LCWIP would also help deliver some of the local priorities such as a reduction in transport emissions and health improvement.

          Members of the Board discussed the proposals and following discussions, the additional information below was noted:

·       Members would be provided with more detailed information in due course which would demonstrate how proposals would look for each ward in the Borough;

·       use of cycle lanes were observed by sensors and would continue to be monitored;

·       Councillor Peter Lloyd Jones suggested that it would be helpful if routes could be signposted; it was confirmed that a LCR standard was being adopted for signage and plans on the website would be updated as schemes come forward; and

·       scheme  funding was subject to further announcements, potentially in Spring 2025. 

RESOLVED: That the Board:

1)    endorses the Halton LCWIP (which comprises the Halton Borough Wide LCWIP and East Runcorn Connectivity Programme documents); and

2)    notes the prioritised list of potential schemes outlined in the report.