Agenda item

Better By... Sustainable Access Fund Project Update

Minutes:

JW referred members to the press release in the papers detailing what is being delivered across the borough by the Sustainable Access team funded by £1.5m won from the Dept. for Transport to be spent by the Council on engaging residents and visitors about active travel and sustainable modes of travel with the aim of encouraging a behaviour shift.

 

Cycle training and maintenance courses are being funded by the Council run by Cycle Experience. 

 

JW explained Travel Training which is designed to combat the transport barriers both real and perceived that are often faced by those seeking employment, training and education.  It will help widen travel choices by building confidence and by signposting places to find information about travel options and journey planning.  There have been several sessions given already and the team are engaging with jobseekers directly at the Job Centre Plus.

 

The Access Fund has four different elements which seek to engage with different sections of the community; workplaces, schools, young people and jobseekers and residents across the borough.

 

JW stated that 6 new docks are being implemented this year and highlighted the free wheeler week whereby people who sign up for the cycle hire scheme receive a free week of hire each month.

 

TH commented that the walking and cycling map is not at a useful scale to be an effective tool for people looking to find a route.  DM felt there still may be some people who don’t have access to the internet.

 

Members expressed massive concern that the bus service in Slough has been decimated over recent months. TH suggested that bus stops as well as showing RTPI could also show information about how long it takes to walk to the next bus stop indicating where it is.  All felt this would be an encouragement to occasional users as they could then decide whether it was worth waiting or going to the next stop.  All acknowledged that there are apps available showing this information but not everyone has access to these, particularly older residents or those with learning disabilities.

 

Members would like to see an increase in signage like this not only at bus stops but across the borough showing destinations and time taken either by walking or cycling which will greatly serve to encourage smaller journeys on foot/cycle.  JW stated there was a real case for getting the information right at the point of access.  The meeting questioned the aim of encouraging people to use sustainable passenger transport when services are being drastically reduced.

 

Resolved – The LAF is very concerned about the state of the bus service across Slough and would like to know what is being done about it.

 

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