Agenda item

The Committee is requested to note the summary of the discussion at the Movement and Place Sub-Group on Wednesday 6^th November 2019 and recommendations arising from it. The reports to be considered alongside these recommendations are also included and listed with page numbering below:

(1) Summary of the Minutes of the Movement and Place Sub-Group – Wednesday 16^th November 2019 (Pages 3 to 5)

(2) Agenda Item 3: Brief for Request for Approval of a New Copse Woodland on Cilfton and Durdham Downs – Granny Downs Section (Pages 6, 7 and 8)

(3) Agenda Item 4: Report on Cycling Provision Alongside the A4018 (Pages 9 to 13)

(4) Agenda Item 5: Leisure Loop Update Report (Pages 14 to 22)

The Committee noted the key issues raised at the Movement and Place Sub-Group.

Members discussed recommendations from each as follows:

Richard Bland Memorial

The Committee noted that the recommendation from the M and P Sub-Group was for the creation of a copse and spinney.

Resolved – that the Downs Committee approves the creation of a copse or spinney as outlined in the report.

Action: John Atkinson

Cycling Provision Alongside the A4018

The Committee noted the recommendation to refer this matter to the main Downs Committtee for decision.

The following comments were made during the debate:

·         Some members were opposed to the shared cycle and footpath usage as there would always remain the risk to toddlers and there was no means to control the speed of cyclists

·         Some members who supported the proposal stated that the proposal would ensure that the use of an unofficial cycle path would be improved. Signs would be used for cyclists and pedestrians even if it could not be policed

·         The 2016 option had been a complete holistic proposal. Two shared use paths did not seem sensible – a better approach would be for cyclists to use a gravel path and for pedestrians to use a new path

·         The creation of the path has been proposed to alleviate a traffic problem which was a separate issue. It would be easier for traffic to give way on a tarmac route

·         The proposal should not be supported but instead the Committee should request consideration of two separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists with a favoured approach for pedestrians on the path

Officers made the following comments:

·         In 2016, there had been a consensus reached that there was a need to improve the cycling and walking offer and that the current situation on the highway was not conducive to feeling safe

·         The area which would be affected by the proposal contained in the report would affect three events on the Downs and could cause future problems

The Committee voted on the proposal contained with the report and this vote was LOST (Voting – 3 for, 7 against).

Following some further discussion, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously) : that officers examine a possible segregated option for the A4018 with a separate path for pedestrians and cyclists

Action: Ed Plowden/Steven Riley

Leisure Loop Update

The Committee noted the discussion of this item at the M and P Sub Group meeting.

Following a further brief discussion, it was

RESOLVED: that a Special Committee is set up in January 2020 before the next scheduled meeting of the Downs Committee  for Richard Goldthorpe to provide a “rebrief” of the Downs Place and Movement Framework to allow members to

fully understand the original commission and the conclusions of the

associated workshop in considering the Leisure Loop proposals. It was

agreed that if possible this meeting should include details of the traffic survey

currently being carried out and that Vicky Cracknell (Cycle Sunday)

should also be invited to attend this meeting”

Action: Jeremy Livitt (to set up and confirm the meeting), Richard Goldthorpe (to provide the briefing for the Committee)