Agenda item

To consider the draft Final Report

The Panel received the findings and recommendations that had come out of the Panel’s inquiry entitled “Accessibility of Cycling as a Leisure Pursuit”.

RESOLVED – That the report and under mentioned recommendations be approved and forwarded to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

Aims/Objective

a)      To highlight the areas of development and improvement

         1.      That those landowners who have shared user routes improve the environmental conditions by improving sight lines and visibility.

         2.      That the Council looks into the feasibility of creating short circular routes suitable only for families driving out to the country to take their children for a five mile ride as exists in National Parks and some Access Areas.

         3.      That the Council looks into  the feasibility of creating a mountain bike trail in Rivington which would be a year round activity and would be good for the local economy.

         4.      That the Council looks into the feasibility of creating a purpose build off-road leisure track for  youngsters and children in Yarrow Valley Park (Youths and youngsters with support to take over the design and maintenance of this facility which would enhance the vision that the Council is considering sports for all and encouraging children/youths to have a “Healthy Lifestyle”.

         5.      That the Council looks into the feasibility of creating a safe cycle route along the Yarrow Valley and River Goit between White Coppice and Anglezarke.

         6.      That the Council examines ways to improve the publicity of existing routes.

Aims/Objectives

a)      To reduce the confrontation between the various activities

         7.      That the Council facilitates the education of users by a Code of Conduct to focus on the rights and responsibilities of all user groups in order to reduce ambiguities concerning issues such as rights of way, passing etiquette, the increased use of bells, control of dogs and the recommended speeds that should be adjusted for safety and courtesy.

         8.      That those landowners who have shared use routes should have information panels to the access points detailing the Code of Conduct and a contact point to where comments, complaints and conflicts can be reported.

         9.      That the Council looks into the feasibility of funding cycling and proficiency schemes within the Borough.  (NB  already a LCC function via Education in Schools).

c)      Aims/Objectives

         To identify the current areas and can they be extended

         10.      That the responsible authority be requested to improve both off-road and the SUSTRANS route 55 through Chorley as well as developing the route through Chorley to join up the route from Preston to Wigan.

         11.      That the responsible authority be requested to complete the SUSTRANS route 55 as far as Adlington, to provide the connecting route via route 91 to the Rivington areas, as well as forming the primary route where other on/off road cycling schemes can join to form a hub in the future.

         12.      That the Council examines ways of better provision to encourage children to cycle to school; this would ease local traffic congestion.  For example the off-road cycling scheme along Foxholes Road (near Tesco’s supermarket), but stops abruptly at the roundabout where it matters.  This scheme should be extended along Balshaw Lane; the road is wide enough, if the grass verge was used on both sides of the road.  This needs some commitment, it has been done in many towns elsewhere.

         13.      Where an off-road scheme finishes the cyclist is left to rejoin the highway, by a halt sign, as in the design on the A6 at Cuerden and A581 at Euxton.  A good design has been used in Blackburn.