Agenda item

Discussion paper of the Cabinet Member Built Environment

The Cabinet Member Built Environment introduced the discussion paper as circulated with the agenda. 

He wanted to be clear that the proposal to trial more relaxed cycling restrictions around the Promenade and other identified areas, was not his but one of Gloucestershire Highways.

It was important for CBC to be involved in the consultation process and equally important that the Environment Committee consider the issue.

Cheltenham was in an impractical position, permitting cycling in some areas and not others.  This posed an enforcement issue to the Police and was confusing to both cyclists and pedestrians.

This issue had not been discussed by CBC for some years, but over this time had formed the view that it would be better to allow cycling in pedestrianised areas making it easier for police to take action against anti-social cyclists.

Gloucestershire Highways sought a response from CBC and were hoping to arrange a meeting of interested parties in February 2011 and undertake the trial some time in March 2011.

In his personal view, not as a Cabinet Member or Liberal Democrat, he was sympathetic to the trial but felt that clarification on a number of issues in respect of the new traffic order was required.

CBC would need to be satisfied that Gloucestershire Highways had undertaken a full risk assessment and would need assurances from the Police that they could and would take action against anti-social and dangerous cyclists in the pedestrian areas.  He also felt that CBC should be involved in the monitoring of any trial to satisfy itself that the trial was working as intended.

He suggested that the committee should take a view on how they wanted to approach this, whether they established a working group or asked Gloucestershire Highways to make a presentation to members, etc.

Comments from members of the committee included;

• If the trial was to go ahead, a full risk assessment would need to be undertaken.  There were 25,000 registered disabled in Cheltenham who would be at risk from irresponsible cyclists, not to mention small children.  In the current climate, would the Police have the resources to monitor the situation on a daily basis.  It appeared that Gloucestershire Highways intended to consult mainly cyclists, but it would need to be broader and include the Pensions Forum, etc.
• Research undertaken by a member of the committee during his time as the relevant Cabinet Member had identified that most cyclists were considerate and slowed down for pedestrians.  More often than not, pedestrians were not aware of the cyclists and the issue was inconsiderate and dangerous cyclists, which only enforcement would address.  People in Cheltenham were being encouraged to cycle and it could be perceived as giving mixed messages if cyclists were sent around the one way system rather than being permitted to pass through the town centre. 
• Shared space was government policy and members should not confuse cycling in pedestrian areas with cycling on pavements, which was against the law.  The initiation of discussions by Gloucestershire Highways should be a welcome one to all members.
• Rather than judge it before seeing the results it was felt that the committee should support the trial.  Civic Pride proposals would see more of Cheltenhampedestrianised and would effectively close the town centre to cyclists.  It was accepted that some cyclists acted in an irresponsible manner.

The Cabinet Member Built Environment was unable to answer the question of enforcing and whether PCSOs had the power to do so. 

The Chair moved to consider what approach members wished to take and following discussion it was agreed that Gloucestershire Highways would be provided with a copy of the committee minutes for their consideration and discussions undertaken with the Police to establish how the trial would be enforced.

The Cabinet Member Built Environment had found the discussion very useful and thanked members for their contribution, confirming that he would provide Gloucestershire Highways with a copy of the committee minutes and pursue the issue of enforcement with the Police. 

A member of the committee highlighted the recent article in the Gloucestershire Echo which seemed to imply that all cyclists posed a risk to pedestrians.  Whilst clearly not the case for all cyclists, it compounded the perception of some that they were a menace.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member Built Environment for his attendance.