The Government has announced a new £175m tranche of funding for councils to build walking and cycling schemes of which Cheshire East Council will receive £588,050 - subject to conditions.
The schemes are intended for use in low-traffic neighbourhoods, which block car traffic from residential areas. The first tranche saw schemes rolled out across the country earlier this year but have proved controversial, with some councils reversing their schemes after local criticism.
In Cheshire East, nine schemes were introduced in August on a very tight time-scale but without consultation. Elected Members were not consulted in advance of the schemes, receiving just an email notification 24 hours before the schemes’ introduction and there was initially considerable negative feedback, as communities struggled to adjust to closed roads, narrowed carriageways and loss of car parking facilities.
One scheme in Knutsford had to be withdrawn within days and schemes in Crewe, Macclesfield and Wilmslow have had to be significantly revised.
Whilst there has been support for good quality schemes, in the face of this kind of vocal and well publicised opposition to some council schemes, Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has been clear that this new funding allocation will be reduced and claw-backs could also be imposed if the following conditions are not followed.’
Councils must:
- publish plans to show how they will consult their communities, including residents, businesses and emergency services, among others
- show evidence of appropriate consultation prior to schemes being implemented
- submit monitoring reports on the implementation of schemes 6-12 months after their opening, highlighting how schemes have been modified based on local feedback to ensure they work for communities
The DfT have said that ‘to help councils implement better schemes, updated guidance has also been released today, which emphasises the need for practical and pragmatic solutions’.
Schemes being considered by Cheshire East Council, as part of this second phase of active travel improvements, to be constructed now that DfT funding is available include:
- Manchester Road between Wilmslow and Handforth
- Vernon Way, Mill Street and Nantwich Road, Crewe
- Black Lane, Manchester Road and Sunderland Street, Macclesfield
- High Street, Sandbach
- West Street and Mill Street, Congleton
- Various streets on the Knutsford Revolution Cycle Route
- London Road between Alderley Edge and Wilmslow
- St Ann’s Road, Middlewich
It is hoped that the DoT’s conditions are adhered to in order that the Council will work proactively with communities and so avoid the problems experienced in Tranche 1 to bring forward quality active travel schemes for the longer term.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-active-travel-fund…
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_informati…
