Sutton Cycle Forum July 2021

The first Sutton Cycle Forum since those held pre-Covid, this was also the first held remotely using Google Meet on 30th July 2021.

The previous meeting notes from 18 December 2019 at the offices of Sutton Council, Denmark Road.

We were asked to supply a draft agenda, initially the list exploded including update an on the officer reporting on the Sustainable Transport Strategy; enhancements to the Liveable Neighbourhoods bids; promised cycle audit; Beddington Lane; LTN 1/20 training; review 2015 Cycle Strategy; quick wins… this was then passed on:

• Current funding situation with TfL
• Discuss a vision of how future Cycle Forum will work, including
  • stakeholders
  • process / pipeline
• Update on teams in Sutton & Kingston
• Acknowledge current LIP schemes for future meeting
• Discuss schemes that would result in funding
  • 2021 H2
  • 2022 H1
• Discuss schemes that would deliver on cycling

A day ahead of the meeting the agenda was revised, it now included a section on Car Free Day at the top of the agenda.

The Cycle Forum – Scheme Update July 2021 (PDF) was circulated an hour before the meeting start.

NOTE: this and subsequent posts on the Cycle Forum (written up by myself, Marcus Howarth) will not detail every minute, attendance or follow up discussion on every subject as previous have. That said LBS have not published any of this in the public domain so trying to strike the right balance.

Key points:

• Car Free Day
  • Top of the list because the person involved had another meeting…
  • Well meaning given 3 months until 22nd Sept. Council planned activities would include a Dr Bike in Sutton Town Centre, people signing pledges not to drive to school, promoting Brompton and e-Bike hire, led rides and air quality monitoring by bike.
  • Feedback: The forum asked what Car Free Days means to LBS when other cities close roads for the event. This has not been feasible this year in view of COVID lockdown restrictions, short timeframes and a lack of TfL funding e.g, for TMO’s.. For next years event, planning will start earlier with the aim closing roads and organising events on closed roads e.g. community play streets & street parties. There will be greater emphasis on residents to making fewer car journeys.
  • We said we’d help promote through our channels this year.

• Sustainable Transport Strategy. – Dimitrios Dikmpasanis
  • Consultation closed in March 2021
  • Over 500 responses were received which are being read/logged at the moment. Each comment needs to be responded to. The document will be republished in September 2021 and referred to EAST Committee in October 2021.
  • Cycling, public transport, car clubs, electric bikes etc are included in the strategy.
  • Feedback: if modal share of cycling journeys is reducing – what is the STS doing to address this? Dimi commented that there has been a lack of TfL funding to enable LBS to be more to encourage cycling, public transport etc. Has made some progress with TfL to gain funding for buses & also bid for funding to improve train line to Belmont. Dimi stated that LBS will use STS as a means of introducing measures to increase cycling numbers.

• Funding from TfL update:
  • Tfl have confirmed that Sustainable Transport staff will be funded in 2021/22
  • LBS still doesn’t know what else TfL has agreed to fund
  • LBS will only fund “in flight” schemes that can be delivered by the 31st December 2021
  • TfL will give out funding based on what is implemented e.g. if School Streets remain then there will be funding from TfL for next year.
  • TfL will fund – School Streets, cycleways, junction improvements, LTN’s – but they need to be consulted on before the next line of TfL funding becomes available for 2022.
  • Feedback: Marcus recommends that we make contact with Simon Munk at LCC to discuss what we can bid for/what we should be bidding to TfL.
    • This did happen on the 4th August 2021 where Sutton’s funding freeze due to removal of schemes was discussed, along with the need for more schemes to be consulted on and bid for if any funding was to be expected. The LCC / Urban Movement engagement guide was also shared.

• Discuss a vision of how future Cycle Forum will work
  • You could say this part of the meeting read like a text book on how to consult properly; listed every conceivable stakeholder; discuss plans early and often, get feedback and actually listen and act on it making adjustments to designs before TMOs were even raised. Then again make minor changes, repeat process or be prepared to stop a scheme
    • understandably some of this was met defensively, “TfL funding does push Local Authorities into taking action very quickly.”, “we do try to engage, subject to resources and time limitations.” “LBS colleagues do work together to try to address the impact of developments on all road users (inc. pedestrians).” etc but the fact it was discussed was taken as an opportunity
    • Should we ask Planning for a representative to attend these meetings?
    • Colin Q – would like to be involved in schemes from the start when objectives for a scheme are being formulated
    • Marcus requested that we have more regular meetings and also site visits where appropriate as it can be helpful to view schemes in situ. e.g. shorter meetings every six weeks. Also review Chas’ previous post Sutton 2031 – is cycling part of the picture? as it allows a recap on the previous vision for Sutton town centre well.

• Update on teams in Sutton & Kingston
  • it was just that. A review by Ernst & Young had highlighted areas for improvement.
    • UPDATE: see that report here:
      • In summary: The service is performing between ‘Basic’ and ‘Emerging’ which is below the level of maturity expected (pdf)
• Acknowledge current LIP schemes for future meeting
  • Given the Cycle Forum – Scheme Update July 2021 (pdf) was circulated an hour before the meeting start and time was running out this was hurried.
    • NOTE: previously in meetings at Denmark Rd print outs were normally distributed and this would lead to a Round Robin of updates by officers most of which were couldn’t be discussed in detail as not seen to comment on.
  • It was noted that:
    • Kevin W confirmed that LBS work with Croydon on Route 75.
    • Kevin confirms that schemes are continuing even though funding is not yet confirmed.
    • Relaunching Beddington Lane project now that gas works are complete. 2km cycle scheme from the Beddington Lane tram stop to Beddington Village – contractors should be back on site within the next few weeks, it will be a 2-way cycleway on one side of the road (plans will be shared). The cycle lane crossing from one side of the road to the other due to the compulsory purchase of the land was only possible on one side of the road.
    • Worcester park consultation in September 2021 – SCF will receive consultation docs in September 2021. Residents being asked what they see as the issues and how they will propose to solve them. Engineers acknowledged the risk of traffic displacement to other roads.
    • Butter Hill scheme – Kevin Williams – SCF will receive consultation docs in September 2021.
• END