A report providing the Sub-Committee with an update on the progress of the Sustrans Activation Project.  This project is being funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and led by Sustrans, a UK cycling and walking charity.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing the Sub-Committee with an update on the progress of the Sustrans Activation Project which was being funded by the Department for Transport and led by Sustrans, a UK cycling and walking charity.  A copy of the consultation responses was attached to the report at Appendix A and maps setting out the detailed designs were attached to the report at Appendix B.

The report explained that as a result of the Sustrans Paths for Everyone report that had been published in 2018, following a two year independent audit of the entire National Cycle Network, the DfT had since invested £21m which had been earmarked to improve significant on-carriageway stretches of the 16.575 mile National Cycle Network.  This was part of a multi-million pound DfT investment to improve cycling and walking around England, cut down emissions and improve safety.

Sustrans had identified 50 Activation Projects that would be targeted initially, one of which was in Reading.  The aim of the Reading Activation Project was to improve access to the traffic-free route between Katesgrove, Waterloo Meadows and Fobney Lock.  Sustrans had formed a working group to develop the project, consisting of Council officers, Councillors, representatives of the Canal and River Trust and Thames Valley Police.  The working group had focused specifically on barriers at the Katesgrove underpass, at both ends of Waterloo Meadows, and at Fobney Lock.  Discussions were based around developing a set of modifications to open access to people with bikes, and people using wheelchairs, adapted cycles and mobility aids, who had previously been obstructed by the awkward barriers that had been installed originally to deter motorcyclists.  Improvements to the surface of the path had also been included within the scope of the project.

Sustrans had carried out various consultation events at local community centres to make the local community aware of the proposed draft designs and to gain an understanding of the views of various user groups.  A questionnaire had been produced as part of the consultation to record these views.  Following on from consultation with the local community, detailed designs had been finalised, in collaboration with the working group.  Sustrans had planned to use the Council’s in-house Highways team to carry out these works, which were due to be completed by March 2020.

Resolved -    That the progress and detailed designs for the Reading Activation Project be noted.