Agenda item

Cabinet received a report on the High Wycombe 2050 Transport Strategy and High Wycombe Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which had been developed in parallel to ensure alignment and synergy. Their development had been informed by extensive engagement, including an 8-week public consultation in late 2022.

The High Wycombe 2050 Transport Strategy outlined a future ambition for the town’s transport system, consisting of a vision statement, three ‘connecting’ themes (Connecting Locally; Connecting Regionally; Connecting Green Spaces), and a set of key outcomes for each theme. A range of transport interventions focused in and around the High Wycombe area were proposed to deliver the overall transport vision.

The High Wycombe LCWIP used 5 network planning concepts (Walkable Core; Main Radial Routes, Key Links and Hubs; Healthy Neighbourhoods; Wider Network and Strategic Routes; A Cohesive and Connected Network) to outline a future walking, cycling and wheeling network and a prioritised programme of infrastructure improvements. The LCWIP covered a study area of a 20-minute walking and a 25-minute cycling catchment surrounding High Wycombe town centre, and linked with surrounding settlements.

The purpose of producing these plans was to ensure that the Council had a clear policy direction and set of transport priorities for High Wycombe that could be taken forward for further development, to inform future funding applications, and to enable efficient delivery of schemes.

The report summarised the public consultation results and the subsequent amendments to both plans, which have been discussed with local members, and sought approval for the amended High Wycombe 2050 Transport Strategy and High Wycombe LCWIP to progress to adoption as a Council policy.

Cabinet took into account a representation which had been submitted on 3 January 2024 by a local resident which was published as a supplement.  The Director of Legal and Democratic Services informed Members that he was satisfied that the correct governance process had been followed.  During discussion the Leader asked all Cabinet Members to confirm that they had read the representation that had been emailed to them on 3 January 2024 and been provided in hard copy at the meeting.  All Cabinet Members confirmed that they had done this.

RESOLVED –

(1)               That the public consultation results and subsequent amendments made to the draft High Wycombe 2050 Transport Strategy and High Wycombe Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) be NOTED.

(2)               That the amended High Wycombe 2050 Transport Strategy and High Wycombe LCWIP be ADOPTED.

Cabinet received a report on the High Wycombe 2050 Transport Strategy and High Wycombe Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which had been developed in parallel to ensure alignment and synergy. Their development had been informed by extensive engagement, including an 8-week public consultation in late 2022.

The High Wycombe 2050 Transport Strategy outlined a future ambition for the town’s transport system, consisting of a vision statement, three ‘connecting’ themes (Connecting Locally; Connecting Regionally; Connecting Green Spaces), and a set of key outcomes for each theme. A range of transport interventions, focused in and around the High Wycombe area, were proposed to deliver the overall transport vision.

The High Wycombe LCWIP used 5 network planning concepts (Walkable Core; Main Radial Routes, Key Links and Hubs; Healthy Neighbourhoods; Wider Network and Strategic Routes; A Cohesive and Connected Network) to outline a future walking, cycling and wheeling network and a prioritised programme of infrastructure improvements. The LCWIP covered a study area of a 20-minute walking and a 25-minute cycling catchment surrounding High Wycombe town centre and linked with surrounding settlements.

The purpose of producing these plans was to ensure that the Council had a clear policy direction and set of transport priorities for High Wycombe that could be taken forward for further development, to inform future funding applications, and to enable efficient delivery of schemes.

The report summarised the public consultation results and the subsequent amendments to both plans, which have been discussed with local members, and sought approval for the amended High Wycombe 2050 Transport Strategy and High Wycombe LCWIP to progress to adoption as a Council policy.

The Cabinet Member for Transport reported that at present, the proposed interventions were, in the main, unfunded, except for those where funding had already been secured to support scheme development or delivery. Future opportunities to secure funding from appropriate sources (such as grants, developer contributions and government funding) to progress and deliver the proposed interventions would continue to be explored. By adopting the High Wycombe LCWIP, the Council would be in a stronger position to seek government funding for walking, cycling and wheeling infrastructure. The Council had recently been successful in securing funding for a route between the Pine Trees development and The Rye as the LCWIP had shown the benefits of joining these locations. The Plan did recognise the problem of topography with the hills in Wycombe, but the use of e-bikes and e-scooters would help make those journeys easier. Furthermore, not all cycle trips in High Wycombe need to be routed through the hilly areas. For example, east-west movement along the valley floor was relatively flat.

Cabinet took into account a representation, which had been submitted on 3 January 2024 by a local resident, that was published as a supplement.  The Director of Legal and Democratic Services informed Members that he was satisfied that the correct governance process had been followed.  During discussion, the Leader asked all Cabinet Members to confirm that they had read the representation that had been emailed to them on 3 January 2024 and been provided in hard copy at the meeting.  All Cabinet Members confirmed that they had done this.

The Cabinet Member reported that a concern had been raised that some areas, such as Flackwell Heath did not feature in the static LCWIP network map. The Cabinet Member advised that the LCWIP included further maps that provided more detail.  The maps in the LCWIP were illustrative areas where cycling and walking infrastructure could be implemented but no definitive routes had been prescribed. An important consideration was to consider ways to connect onto and off routes and the rights of way network helped with this connectivity.

Members were reassured that these two strategies did link into other policies of the Council including the climate change policy, planning and transport policies. In addition, partnership working was required such as the bus industry which had been deregulated and ensuring place based regeneration. Members were also reassured that an outline Equality Impact Assessment had been completed and further assessment would be completed. With regards to the accessibility of infrastructure, the Cabinet Member advised that suitable materials and features would be in the design of schemes, such as dropped kerbs and tactile paving. The two Strategies had been written for all users and recognised the need to provide more sustainable driving.

RESOLVED –

(1)               That the public consultation results and subsequent amendments made to the draft High Wycombe 2050 Transport Strategy and High Wycombe Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) be NOTED.

(2)               That the amended High Wycombe 2050 Transport Strategy and High Wycombe LCWIP be ADOPTED.