Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report.

The Executive Board:

(a)        NOTED the scheme progress being made in terms of planning approval, land procurement and stakeholder engagement.

(b)        APPROVED construction of phase one of the scheme, subject to gaining planning permission.

(c)        DELEGATED powers to approve the construction contract and selection of contractor for phase one.

(d)        SUPPORTED the continuation of land negotiations.

The Executive Board considered a report which provided an update on the Chisholm Trail cycling scheme.

Mike Davies, Team Leader (Cycling Projects) at Cambridgeshire County Council, presented the report and reminded the Board of the following principles of the route:

·         it was a direct and pleasant route with improved journey ambience;

·         it linked to key destinations and trip generators;

·         it was inclusive, supporting people with disabilities;

·         it was safe and avoided traffic;

·         it provided seamless links to green spaces;

·         it supported multi-modality.

Mr Davies added that the key principle behind this scheme, and the City Deal programme as a whole, was to make active modes safe, convenient and the logical choice over private car, highlighting the wider benefits as being improved public health, assisting to address congestion, better air quality and more reliable journeys.

Councillor Roger Hickford, Chairman of the Joint Assembly, reported that unanimous support was given to the recommendations contained within the report upon consideration by the Assembly at its meeting on 3 November 2016.  He outlined, however, concerns expressed by Assembly Members in relation to phase 2 of the scheme regarding negotiations with Network Rail over the proposed purchase of land.  These negotiations had taken some time to date and it was unclear when a final decision would be made by Network Rail as to whether or not the land would be available for the phase 2 scheme.  An alternative approach had been suggested by officers, as outlined in the report, which featured a bridge.  The Assembly was informed that the proposed bridge would begin and end in new housing developments, but Councillor Hickford questioned how this new bridge could be delivered alongside and be linked into these new housing developments given the respective timescales.  He emphasised the importance of knowing as soon as possible whether Network Rail would be willing to sell the land in order that officers, the Joint Assembly and the Executive Board could understand whether or not investigating other alternatives was necessary. 

Councillor Francis Burkitt highlighted that, as with the A10 cycleway scheme and Foxton rail crossing discussed earlier at this meeting, Network Rail were again a factor in the scheme’s development.  He questioned whether the Member of Parliament for Cambridge may be able to offer some assistance. 

Mr Davies confirmed that discussions were still ongoing but highlighted that he, together with other officers from the County Council, would be meeting on-site in Cambridge with senior representatives of Network Rail in three weeks time.  He agreed to seek to progress these discussions as part of that meeting, but said that the added support of Members of Parliament and the Executive Board would be welcomed should this prove unsuccessful.

Mr Davies confirmed that the bridge was essentially an alternative option to the original proposal, something that he felt was right to start planning for given

the uncertainty around the availability of Network Rail’s land for phase 2 of the scheme.  The specific location of the bridge on the plan set out in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9

To consider the attached report.

The Joint Assembly RECOMMENDED that the Executive Board:

(a)        Notes the scheme progress being made in terms of planning approval, land procurement and stakeholder engagement.

(b)        Approves construction of phase one of the scheme, subject to gaining planning permission.

(c)        Delegates powers to approve the construction contract and selection of contractor for phase one to the Cambridgeshire County Council’s Executive Director of Economy, Transport and Environment, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board.

(d)        Supports the continuation of land negotiations.

The Joint Assembly considered a report which provided an update on the Chisholm Trail cycling scheme.

Mike Davies, Team Leader (Cycling Projects) at Cambridgeshire County Council, presented the report and reminded the Assembly of the following principles of the route:

·         it was a direct and pleasant route with improved journey ambience;

·         it linked to key destinations and trip generators;

·         it was inclusive, supporting people with disabilities;

·         it was safe and avoided traffic;

·         it provided seamless links to green spaces;

·         it supported multi-modality.

Mr Davies added that the key principle behind this scheme, and the City Deal programme as a whole, was to make active modes safe, convenient and the logical choice over private car, highlighting the wider benefits as being improved public health, assisting to address congestion, better air quality and more reliable journeys.

Question by Sir John Sulston

Sir John Sulston, representing Cambridge Past, Present and Future, reported that his organisation had consistently supported the idea of the Chisholm Trail since its original conception for an off-road cycleway connecting the main railway station with the Science Park. 

He reported that Cambridge Past, Present and Future had been in discussion with officers and their consultants over the alignment of possible routes where the trail would pass the grade I Leper Chapel and the Chapel Meadows, which were a city wildlife site.  As a result, the original site of the underpass beneath Newmarket Road had been moved approximately 60 metres closer to Coldham's Brook so that it no longer exited directly opposite the Chapel.  With sympathetic landscaping, which was still to be agreed, he reported that Cambridge Past, Present and Future was comfortable with the proposed route as well as the vehicle and disabled access off Newmarket Road.  It was also comfortable with the alignment of the trail along the eastern boundary of the Meadows, along the woodland edge of the Brook.

It was noted that Cambridge Past, Present and Future saw the trail as a opportunity to enhance the public awareness and visibility of the Chapel, and improve public access.  He was keen to progress negotiations with officers for landscaping and to agree the terms and conditions for the construction of the trail.  Sir John therefore asked when the County Council expected to allocate a landscape architect to the project with whom to finalise the landscaping details.

Mike Davies took this opportunity to thank Cambridge Past, Present and Future for its support and confirmed that discussions were still ongoing with the organisation regarding the development of the scheme.  He reported that once planning consent had been obtained a lot of the details could then be finalised, stating that discussions with Cambridge Past, Present and Future would continue.  It was noted that landscape experts were already part of the project team.

Claire Ruskin queried reference in the report under 'reasons for recommendation' to the scheme offering a high cost/benefit.  It was noted that this should had read high benefit-cost ratio and was one of the contributing factors to recommending approval of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8