Issue - meetings

To approve proposals to undertake public consultation of the Black Country Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Resolved:-

That approval be given to approve the public consultation of the Black Country Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

                  Approval was sought for the public consultation of the Black Country Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

                  The Chair of the Children’s Services and Education Scrutiny Board asked whether Councillors were involved in the consultations relating to the Plan, particularly in the ward and towns they represented.

                  In response, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth gave assurance that all ward members would be consulted along with the Economy, Skills, Transport and Environment Scrutiny Board going forward,

                  Reasons for Decision

The West Midlands Combined Authority had developed a LCWIP that identified and enabled a plan to develop strategic cycling and walking networks throughout the West Midlands up to 2028. Subsequently, Sandwell developed an LCWIP that identified and enabled a plan to develop strategic cycling and walking networks throughout Sandwell up to 2030.

The West Midlands had secured £1.05bn funding to expand the regions tram, train, bus, walking and cycle networks and drive a green transport revolution. The funding came from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), which would kickstart a wide range of projects including walking and cycling Infrastructure in a move to decarbonise the region’s transport system, create new jobs and opportunities for local people and bolster the fight against climate change.

Alternative Options Considered

For each scheme within the BCLCWIP, the options considered and the reasons for the recommended option would be set out in the individual approval reports as they are submitted to the Cabinet Member for Environment.

Agreed that approval be given to the public consultation of the Black Country Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.