The Active Travel Officer introduced the report which explained the methodology used to create the draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and showed the advantages of having all areas of the Borough in one place.

The Chair invited a visiting Member to speak.  The visiting Member considered the report did not go far enough.  He drew attention to the walking and cycling opportunities in the west of the Isle of Sheppey and considered these should be expanded to the east of the Island in terms of increasing options so that more people could cycle or walk, both to work or for leisure.  He considered the SLRG route should be a positive option going forward, as it linked schools and employment sites, as well as being accessible, safe, and deliverable.  The visiting Member said that Kent County Council (KCC) had awarded Swale Borough Council (SBC) a ring fenced grant for the SLRG, and he said that even though it was supported by KCC, it was not a proposed route in Swale’s LCWIP.  He asked the committee that the proposed consultation included an extension of footpath CWR7 to include the SLRG and Leysdown.

The Chair invited Members to ask questions and make comments, and these included:

·         Agreed that the consultation included an extension of footpath CWR7 to include the SLRG and Leysdown;

·         Parish to Towns connections, as discussed at the Eastern Area Committee should be incorporated into the report; and

·         route CR9 in Faversham did not include part of a cycle route already in existence.

The Active Travel Officer said that the main criteria for any routes was deliverability which included permission from landowners along the route. The KCC grant was for the highways element only, not for use on private land.  CWR7 had not been included as a route following detailed analysis with the consultant.  She confirmed that she would look into the Parish to Towns connections initiative.

The Head of Environment and Leisure explained that the Council would be going against the guidance/methodology of Active Travel England if unsecured routes were added to those already in the Plan.

Councillor Jayes moved the following motion:  That, as the consultation already included sections of the SLRG at Queenborough Road, Queenborough and Power Station Road, Minster-on-Sea, it should also include an extension of footpath CWR7 to include the remainder of the route to Leysdown.  This was seconded by Councillor Peter Marchington.

Members discussed the motion and the following points were raised:

A Member raised concern that if these additions be included within the consultation and they were not seen as deliverable, that this could then have an impact on grant funding opportunities.

In response, the Active Travel Officer explained that the suggested SLRG route could be added in sections, as permissions were given by landlords.  The Head of Environment and Leisure confirmed that any additions would not impact funding as funding was generally achieved for ‘sections’ of routes rather than whole systems.

On being put to the vote, the motion was agreed.

Members made further comments which included:

·         Welcomed the route CR1 on page 79 of the report, but concerned that this followed the Lower Road route (Kemsley to Faversham) which was not a safe route for pedestrians, there was a public footpath that ran from Tonge to Conyer, along the Saxon Shore Way, which was a better route;

·         clarification sought on the status of the funding received from KCC; and

·         what were the next steps?

The Head of Environment and Leisure said the funding from KCC had only just been received and the intention was to accept it.  The LCWIP would be added to the Forward Decisions Plan to report on the feedback following the consultation.

Councillor Jayes proposed recommendation (1) and this was seconded by Councillor Ashley Shiel, and on being put to the vote it was agreed.

The Chair encouraged Members to share the consultation with everyone in the community.

Resolved:

(1)      That it be agreed to proceed with the public consultation for the Swale Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

(2)      That, as the consultation already included sections of the SLRG at Queenborough Road, Queenborough and Power Station Road, Minster-on-Sea, it should also include an extension of footpath CWR7 to include the reminder of the route to Leysdown.