Issue - meetings

Report to follow

Andy DiMarco, Principal Active Travel Officer, presented the report.

He noted this was the second iteration of the Plan for the city and that PCC has a statutory duty to produce a ten-year plan.

Members' Questions

In response to members' questions, officers clarified:

·         There are 103 Rights of Way in Portsmouth and the numbers on page 15 of the report within table 1, relate to these.  They are listed on the definitive map and statement on the Portsmouth City Council website.

·         A Right of Way provides a legal right to use a path either by foot or other means (this is based on the status of the Right of Way).  A Promoted Route is one which is recognised as a route and is typically created by a local authority, government agency or volunteer organisation, although they do not imply any extra status as a right of way.  Rights of Way are maintainable by the local authority whereas Promoted Routes may be maintained by another organisation or the local authority.

·         The costs within the latter part of the report (page 30 onwards) are approximate costs giving a broad range for each item. These give an indication of total cost implications for the local authority.  Extra staff requirements would be an additional charge on the Rights of Way budget each year.

There was a discussion about a proposed Transport publication due to be published in February to provide an outline to residents on the 17-year transport programme for all aspects of transport within the city such as walking routes, cycling routes and bus routes and how they connect as a whole.   

Members' comments

Members' thanked officers for a very thorough report and all were supportive of the recommendations.  Of particular note was the way the report helps influence other policies and plans with the Council.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation:

1.    Noted the results of the  consultation held between November 2021 and February 2022;

2.    Agreed the adoption of the Portsmouth Rights of Way Improvement Plan that had been developed following the responses to the consultation as the Portsmouth Rights of Way Improvement Plan and recognised that the document forms the basis for Rights of Way Improvements for the period 2023 - 2033.