Purpose

The Council has an ambition to increase the numbers of people walking, wheeling, and cycling across Trafford. Doing so will help the Council work towards its corporate priorities of reducing health inequalities by encouraging residents to be more active, supporting people out of poverty by enabling affordable transport and address our climate crisis by reducing emissions from road traffic.

This scheme is one of the four prioritised schemes previously decided by the Executive (24/07/2023) to be included as part of Trafford Council’s reprioritised 2023/24 MCF programme of funding made available via TfGM.

This report is part of the approved process of securing MCF funding to develop Urmston Active Neighbourhood Phase 1 scheme: Route C Flixton West and Route D Davyhulme scheme.

Decision

a)    That the Executive Member notesthe content and findings of the consultation report.

b)    That the Executive Member notes that the proposals for the Urmston Active Neighbourhood Phase 1: Route C Flixton West as set out in the report, be progressed to detailed design incorporating the additional enhancements following input from the consultation and thereafter, subject to no significant amendments, proceed to further resident engagement and a trial stage of delivery.

c)    That the Executive Member notes the programme for Urmston Active Neighbourhood Phase 1: Route C Flixton West as set out in Section 5 of this report.

d)    That the Executive Member notesthe consultation outcomes of the Urmston Active Neighbourhood Phase 1: Route D Davyhulme scheme and not to progress the Route D Davyhulme scheme further and to inform the residents of the decision.

e)    That the Executive Member for Climate Changedelegate authority to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Systems, to negotiate and finalise the grant funding agreements, construction contracts and any other contracts or documents required to implement this decision.

f)     That the Executive Member for Climate Change delegate authority to the Director of Legal and Governance to enter any contracts or other documents required to implement this decision

Reasons for the decision

The Urmston Active Neighbourhood Phase 1 scheme is one of the four prioritised schemes previously decided by the Executive (24/07/2023) to be included as part of Trafford Council’s reprioritised 2023/24 Mayors Challenge Fund (MCF) programme.

That given the level of objection from residents in the consultation the proposed Route D Davyhulme scheme should not be progressed.

That given the input and interest from residents in the consultation the proposed Route C Flixton West scheme be progressed including the additional scope to detailed design.

Subject to all necessary MCF and TfGM approvals, Route C Flixton West proceed to delivery of a trial taking the viewpoints of the public to refine the scheme where applicable.

Route C Flixton West scheme aligns with Trafford Council’s Corporate Plan and has general support from the local community by offering safer, quieter routes, alternative sustainable active travel modes bring benefit to place, health and wellbeing and air quality.

Alternative options considered

The alternative options would be to not implement either scheme. This would risk forfeiting the highway related issues and funding availability as well as the opportunity for quieter, safer streets that support active travel neighbourhoods.

Both schemes are opportunities to achieve the outcomes as stated in the councils Walking, Wheeling, and Cycling strategy of improving infrastructure and support towards reducing carbon emissions. By not progressing with either scheme would also negatively impact on Trafford’s reputation for securing future funding bids for other active travel grant opportunities.