Agenda item

The report sets out a proposed response by this Council to Devon County Council’s consultation.

The Committee considered and discussed the report presented by the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management setting out a proposed response to the Clyst Valley and New Communities Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

The aim of the consultation was to identify walking and cycling improvements to the West End of the district extending to Woodbury, Broadclyst and Whimple and to compliment any existing LCWIP’s.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management referred to figure 2 in the report that gave an overview of the cycle route recommendations and how these would link into the Clyst Valley Trail, Killerton and Broadclyst, Cranbrook and the new community.  Members were reminded that following the meeting on 5 December where Strategic Planning Committee Members resolved that option 1 would be the council’s preferred approach for a new community, this would now be the basis that the council would be recommending that the LCWIP is reviewed to reflect option 1 only.

It was highlighted to Members that a lot of the focus was on the east/west movement in and out the city and it was important to comment that there is a need to link more communities in East Devon, including the new community, Woodbury, Woodbury Salterton, Clyst St Mary and Clyst St George.

Members were invited to submit their own individual comments on the consultation before the 7 April 2024 deadline.

Discussion on the LCWIP included:

·        Clarification was sought about the cycleway between Whimple and Cranbrook along the railway line.

·        It was hoped that the cycleways would be kept clear and tidy.

·        The Chair highlighted an email response from a Broadclyst resident wanting Broadclyst adding to a sentence on page 34 and to add a further sentence to provide a safe and secure cycleway between Broadclyst and Westclyst for the children at Clyst Vale Community College.  The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management advised this was already part of the proposals.

·        Pleased to be having these discussions as walking and cycling are important to the health and wellbeing of society.  Need to encourage people to keep active.

·        Could a comment be included about clearing away hedge debris after they have been flayed as this makes it dangerous for cyclists.  Perhaps DCC could introduce a new policy?

·        Maps are difficult to understand.

·        Clyst St Mary and Clyst St George are dangerous to cycle and walk around and the Clyst Valley Trail is in the wrong place.  A suggestion was made to add a strongly worded comment about forcing danger on cyclists, pedestrians and car users as DCC are proposing the wrong solution for Bishops Clyst.  It was suggested to remove the gold line from Bishops Clyst down to Clyst St George and the pink line to be uprated as this is the offroad solution.  The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management acknowledged the points made and advised the concerns would be flagged from a safety perspective.

·        A suggestion for a park and change so cycling can happen in rural areas. 

·        Cycle paths need to be kept separate from the traffic – mixing is dangerous.

·        Support the comments about the lack of appropriate high-quality and attractive cycling and walking infrastructure from Exeter to Cranbrook.

·        Cyclists in Cranbrook do not like the shared paths as they need to cross over road junctions and private paths.

·        Whimple to Cranbrook abruptly ends at the eastern edge of Cranbrook.

·        The Netherlands prioritises cyclists over vehicles.  The NPPF favour development.  We need to change the way of thinking and plan ahead of development.

The Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management outlined the following comments that needed to be added to the council’s response to the consultation based on Members discussion:

Ø  Safety issues regarding Bishops Clyst.

Ø  Segregated commuter routes.

Ø  Maintenance of cycle paths.

Ø  Emphasis needed on children being able to cycle safely to schools.

Councillor Mike Howe proposed the recommendation to include the comments outlined by the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management, seconded by Councillor Kevin Blakey.

RESOLVED:

That committee endorse the proposed response to the Clyst Valley and New Communities LCWIP consultation and approve its submission to Devon County Council with delegated authority to the Assistant Director – Planning Strategy and Development Management, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair to agree to the final wording.

Councillor Todd Olive left the meeting during discussion and did not take part in the vote.