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Agenda item

CHESTERFIELD EAST-WEST WALKING AND CYCLE ROUTE

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport sought approval for the completion of detailed design and subsequent construction of the proposed east-west Chesterfield walking and cycling route as per the consulted extents and drew attention to a typing error in the recommendations; reference to “5.25 above” should read “the report”.

 

In November 2020, the County Council was successful in securing funding of £1.68m from the Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) Active Travel Fund (Tranche 2) to create a new east-west walking and cycling route between Holymoorside and Chesterfield Royal Hospital at Calow, providing access to Chesterfield town centre, the rail station and a range of other key employment, retail and education destinations. This was follow-on investment from a Tranche 1 of the DfT’s Active Travel funding allocation, which provided temporary walking and cycling improvements along a section of this route with the temporary closure of Crow Lane (as well as at various other locations across the County).

 

The proposed route formed a strategic transport corridor across Chesterfield, an essential commuter route and used as a route to schools, transport hubs and health, education, and retail destinations and would enhance walking and cycling access to all destinations referred to in the report.  The delivery of the route also formed a fundamental part of Derbyshire’s Covid-19 economic recovery planning and supported and embedded longer term changes in behaviour by encouraging people to walk/cycle/wheel, thereby helping to decarbonise transport, tackle climate change, reduce inequalities and improve air quality.  The route proposals were also closely aligned to the priorities of the Derbyshire Key Cycle Network approved by Cabinet in January 2020.

 

The route measured approximately 8km in length and was divided into five distinct sub-sections.  Initial design options had been produced and considered and a wide-ranging engagement exercise to seek the views of the local community was undertaken, with a detailed summary of findings being published in ‘Chesterfield Active Travel Route Community Engagement Summary Report’ (appended to the report) and key findings highlighted.

 

It was considered that the consultation had demonstrated overall broad support for the proposed route across Chesterfield and provided appropriate justification to continue with the further design and implementation of the route proposals.  Detailed design would consider measures to alleviate concerns and would include enhanced signing and lining to clearly mark cyclists and pedestrian space with appropriate road markings, signage and traffic calming to encourage considerate cycling and enhanced lighting along Crow Lane to include the western section to begin and expand on the entire length subject to ongoing funding award. Thinning of the trees and shrubs would also be considered to aid  improved lighting conditions for the Crow Lane and Wetlands Lane route.

 

Cabinet members recognised the prescriptive nature to the criteria and that further consultation would be held.  It recognised the wish of government and the need for communities to change their approach to clean and greener modes of transport.

 

RESOLVED to approve to continue with the further detailed design and subsequent implementation of the east-west Chesterfield walking and cycling route proposals with inclusion for the measures outlined in the report.

Supporting documents: