Agenda item

To update Members on the review of the Nidderdale Greenway Extension feasibility study, including revised key metrics, an updated assessment of scheme viability, and proposed next steps.

Two public statements were made in relation to this agenda item, which are detailed under Minute 212.

Alexander Kay, Senior Transport Planning Officer presented a report in the name of the Corporate Director of Environment which provided an update on the review of the Nidderdale Greenway extension feasibility study. The review included revised analysis of key metrics, an assessment of scheme viability, and the identification of challenges and risks. The Sustrans Nidderdale Greenway extension study was appended to the report at Appendix A.

The main challenges included various funding constraints in the form of cost increases, creation order costs and resource and high maintenance costs, as well as landowner support. The scheme was not deemed to be a priority active travel scheme for the Council.

Alexander noted the local support detailed in the Nidderdale Greenway extension steering group report which was written in February 2024 and apologised that no reference to this report had been made in the report before Members today. It was explained that the contents of the steering group report did not impact the outcome presented in the officer report.

Members thanked officers for the report and raised the following points:

·       A Nidderdale Greenway extension steering group report was considered by the Skipton and Ripon Area Committee in March 2024, as detailed at Minute 111. Members felt that officers in the Council’s Transport Planning team had not considered the steering group report.

·       The support of the scheme from local residents, and the positive impacts of the scheme including active travel, healthy environment and opening up the protected landscapes to public enjoyment.

·       The difficulty in gaining support for the scheme from landowners.

·       The need to investigate alternative forms of funding through the York and North Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority once their active travel strategy was in place.

·       One Member suggested that the report recommendations be amended to endorse the vision of creating an enhanced Nidderdale Greenway extension and ask the Mayoral Combined Authority to actively seek resources to progress the scheme.

In response to Members’ comments, Andrew Brown, Principal Public Rights of Way Officer informed Members of the challenges behind the Council funding the maintenance of a new public bridleway. Andrew also explained the potential flooding risks involved. Despite these challenges, it was explained that a compromise could be met to deliver a scheme of considerably less cost, which would meet the majority of aspirations of the proposal in providing a safe cycle route from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge. Andrew also confirmed that the recommendations of the steering group report would be revisited, along with the points raised by the two public speakers.

In response, Members thanked the Principal Public Rights of Way Officer for looking into a way to take the scheme forward. Councillor Andrew Murday agreed to enter discussions with the officers outside of the meeting to investigate funding potential from the Mayoral Combined Authority and would report back his findings to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Area Committee.

Resolved

That Members note the contents of the report.