Agenda item

PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ORPINGTON CYCLING AND WALKING NETWORK

Minutes:

Report ES17050

 

As part of a long term plan to develop a network of local cycling and walking routes enabling modal shift to reduce congestion, proposals had been developed to improve conditions for cycling and walking in and around Orpington. Once completed the proposals would provide safe cycle routes linking Orpington to Locksbottom, Green Street Green, Petts Wood and St Mary Cray as well as onwards to Bomley and Beckenham via the Quietway network. The routes would also serve to provide a link to the Cray Valley and employment opportunities along the A224 (Sevenoaks Way).

 

Approval was sought for public consultation and construction of the first phase of these works - the cycle route from Locksbottom to Orpington Station for which outline designs were presented. Following a suggestion from the Chairman prior to the meeting an additional element was included in the design for the route and updated drawings circulated in advance of the meeting and tabled.

 

At Orpington station the route could connect with the proposed, but unfunded, Orpington to Green Street Green route which would join  the shared cycle path alongside the A21 at the High Street Green/ Farnborough Way (A21) roundabout.  The Orpington to Green Street Green Route would also serve Orpington High Street potentially linking to an extended Quietway from lower Sydenham and eventually linked through Priory Gardens to join the A224 cycle path, providing a link to employment sites and industry on the Cray Valley corridor.

 

To provide safe and attractive links to schools it was also proposed to allow cycling on a number of footpaths; some would require upgrading as well as change of status and it was proposed to begin with a low cost conversion of the North/South path to Crofton School, through Gumping Common. Further footpath conversions for additional extensions of the cycling network could include those to Princess Plain and Bishop Justus Schools.

 

Neither the Orpington to Canary Wharf Quietway nor the Lower Sydenham to Bickley Quietway had been currently funded by TfL. However, Officers had lobbied TfL to extend the route to Petts Wood which could be extended to Orpington so providing a high-quality and attractive link between Orpington and Bromley town centres. Details were also provided of other possible longer term interventions to assist cycling.

 

In discussion, it was highlighted that the Ormonde Avenue area was subject to heavy traffic on weekday mornings.

 

Members supported the recommendations as outlined below including approval of the Locksbottom to Orpington Station route, subject to Ward Member comments, and additionally recommended that authority be given to the Executive Director of Environment and Community Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to make minor amendments to the Locksbottom to Orpington Station scheme as necessary.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the following be supported -

 

·  medium/long-term proposals to improve conditions for walking and cycling in the Orpington area with a network of local routes;

 

·  officer lobbying to extend the Lower Sydenham to Bromley Quietway to the East of the Borough; and

 

(2)  the Portfolio Holder be recommended to –

 

·  approve the outline proposals for a safe and segregated cycle facility on Crofton Road (A232) to enable Officers to undertake public consultation and subsequent construction of the scheme and

 

·  delegate authority to the Executive Director of Environment and Community Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to make minor amendments to the Locksbottom to Orpington Station scheme as necessary.

 


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