Agenda item

A proposal from Vicky Cracknell has been prepared and is attached for consideration by the Committee.

Vicky Cracknell and Johnny Wood gave a presentation to the Committee and made the following points:

·         Following the decision to approve the Leisure Loop in principle at the meeting on 20^th January 2020, a route change had been made at Ivywell Road

·         Traffic calming measures were required. These could include a 20mph zone along Circular Road

·         The proposed surface was as used by the National Trust in their multi-user trails on 10 of their properties throughout the country

·         The Ashton Park Link had been created following work between Greenways and Cycleways by Jon Grimshaw and now provided an example of how a construction could fit into the landscape

·         A very productive meeting had taken place with Richard Goldthorpe on 26^th January 2020 and had provided an insight into developing traffic calming measures on the Circular Road. Whilst this did not require planning permission, it would require a Traffic Regulation Order. The paths would require a Planning Application

·         Funding had now been identified through Greenways and Cycleways carrying out work on their routes

·         Public consultation would be required to assess local support for a Downs Loop. Discussions were needed with communities, stakeholders and the wider city. The Committee’s support was requested prior to doing this.

In response to questions from the Committee, Vicky Cracknell made the following comments:

·         The Downs was now busier as more children were cycling on the grass during COVID-19, particularly along the route from Stoke Road to the Sea Walls

·         The very early period of the pandemic gave a good example of how the proposed leisure loop could work

·         Self-binding aggregate would be used to construct the loop as had been used for the Ashton Park Link. Consultation would be carried out to assess different options for this. However, one option would be to widen the existing path along Ivywell Road and colour it as required with variation along different sections of the loop as required

·         Streets 3 would be used to carry out the consultation. Due to COVID-19, there was likely to be less face to face work and greater use of a time-limited online survey through the local media and magazines. Consideration would also be given as to how to consult those without access to the internet or smart phones. One approach for these groups of people would be to provide a phone number contact and then send a questionnaire by stamped addressed envelope or conduct a phone interview. Any gaps in the range of stakeholders would be identified at this stage

·         The current focus remained on the development phase and obtaining planning permission. Once this was achieved, discussions would take place with large funding bodies such as British Cycling (who operated a scheme called Places To Ride) and Sports England. However, it was acknowledged that some funds were on hold due to COVID-19. It had been made clear that this was not a Bristol City Council project and that therefore BCC would not be funding it

·         The key point of the scheme would be to help more provide get access to the Downs and therefore the consultation would take this into account. 30% of households in Bristol do not own a car. Provision of greater interpretation and guidance was also important along with making the Downs a welcoming place for people to arrive at by bus

The Committee noted that, since it had supported the scheme in principle, it was reasonable to support the proposed consultation.

Resolved (unanimously) that the Committee supports public consultation on the proposed scheme.

Action: Vicky Cracknell and Johnny Wood (Cycle Sunday)