Agenda item

Sophie Wilmot, Senior Transport Planner, and David Knowles, Head of Transport & Town Centre Projects, were present for this item and introduced the report for the Committee. It was highlighted that, as an outer London Borough, Hillingdon was expectedly fairly car heavy and cycle light but there were many funding opportunities made available by Transport for London (TfL) with regard to cycling and Hillingdon now had a TfL Borough Cycling Support Officer who advises Hillingdon’s officers on prospective infrastructure proposals and assists in securing grant funding from TfL to deliver parts of the Council’s new Cycling Strategy. The Strategy was in a draft format for the Committee to view and was subject to consultation before it was scheduled to formally be approved by the Cabinet Member for Property, Highways and Transport at the end of 2023.

Officers also highlighted page 7 of the draft strategy which gave an overview of the Borough’s existing cycle infrastructure and explained that the strategy would form the basis by which the Borough’s infrastructure could be bolstered to promote cycling as a means of active transport going forward. There were also partnership opportunities highlighted where cycle infrastructure and provision could be implemented with partners such as Brunel University who had indicated that there was an appetite to provide cycle infrastructure on their land.

The Committee were supportive of the draft strategy and encouraged its adoption. Members also noted that it was positive to see such a strategy being implemented in Hillingdon as there were traditionally relatively high levels of vehicle ownership in Hillingdon when compared to other London Boroughs.

The Committee sought clarification on how officers were working to ensure the Borough’s cycle infrastructure was weatherproof and that cycle paths would remain accessible and safe for use year-round. Officers noted that, along with the Highways and Green Spaces Teams, assessments of suitable materials were made for all new cycle paths and infrastructure in the Borough, this was because paths in different parts of the Borough may be subject to different use patterns and environment for example urban paths, canal towpaths, and countryside paths and trails. This cooperative assessment also ensured that any new cycle infrastructure would not have an adverse impact on its surrounding environment and would be suitable for the local conditions. It was also highlighted that HS2 Ltd had recently delivered a footpath in the north of the Borough using a new permeable material, officers were due to investigate this for potential use elsewhere for the Borough’s cycle infrastructure.

Members sought to ensure that cycle routes were suitably well lit to provide adequate safety and usability throughout winter months. Officers confirmed that this was being factored into any new cycle infrastructure proposals although this would need to be carefully assessed, particularly in green spaces where it may have a detrimental impact on the environment. Officers would be exploring alternative infrastructure options such as low-level lighting, timed closures and bollards to ensure any environmental impact was mitigated.

Members suggested the use of a QR code on page 19 of the new strategy to promote the Dr Bike sessions. Officers noted that the Dr Bike sessions were promoted through the Council’s social media channels, via the Council website and through Hillingdon People Magazine which was delivered to every home in the Borough; officers commented that they would ensure a QR code taking readers through to further information about the Dr Bike sessions would be added to the strategy.

Members were particularly encouraged by the canal works, highlighting the positive impact these works would bring in terms of safety along the canal towpaths as this had previously been an area in which Members had received concerns from residents regarding pedestrian and cyclist safety.

The Committee queried cycle signage throughout the Borough. Officers noted that this was an area of concern that needed to be addressed, it was highlighted that TfL had given the Council a significant grant to have consultants review existing cycle infrastructure. The intention was that this would lead to a programme of signage improvements and development. Members were informed that all cycle infrastructure funding came through TfL, either through the Local Implementation Plan or through separate grant funding, or through Section 106 monies.

Members thanked officers for their work and were pleased with the positive direction undertaken by implementing the new Borough Cycling Strategy.

RESOLVED: That the Property, Highways and Transport Select Committee noted and commented on the draft Hillingdon Cycling Strategy 2023 – 2028.