Decision details

Proposed decision

Approval to proceed with the Canterbury Active Travel Scheme to next stages of design and construction.

Reason

To inform Cabinet Committee Members of Council secured funding for the Active Travel Fund from the Department for Transport and seek approval to proceed to the next stages of design and construction for the Canterbury Scheme.

Background

The Department for Transport have awarded Kent County Council £6.098m for five named active travel schemes across the County.  One of these schemes has proceeded to construction stage (Hythe).  The Canterbury Scheme is at the construction stage. Analysis of the remaining three schemes; Folkestone, Gravesend, and Thanet, is underway. Outcomes and proposals will be reported to Cabinet Committee in March.

How the proposed decision meets the challenges in the Interim Strategic Plan 

Delivery of Active Travel Schemes will directly support priority actions under the demand and environment challenges:

·         Demand - Work with local communities to promote access to safe places to walk and cycle as an alternative to travelling by car

·         Environment -  Homes and communities need to be well-connected, both to convenient transport networks and active travel.  The schemes support the delivery of reduced congestion and improving infrastructure and accessibility.

As Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, I agree to proceed to the detailed design and then construction of the Canterbury: Littlebourne to City Centre.