2022 Special interest Groups

Present

Christian Wolmar – London Cycling Campaign (Trustee) and HATF (Active Travel SIG Chair) Mark Frost – HATF (Independent Technical Advisor)
Sophie Chapman – HAL (Surface Access Director)
Timothy Wells – HAL (Surface Access Travel and Policy Lead)
Matthew Wooll – HAL (Route Development Lead)
Tim Leech – HAL (Head of Surface Access and Sponsorship)
Joe Bashford – HAL (Sustainable Travel Manager)
Simran Kullar – HAL (Sustainable Travel Manager)
Neil McClure – Surrey CC
Dug Tremellen – RB Windsor and Maidenhead
Ben Amey – Slough BC
Robert Helsop – LB Hounslow

1. Welcome

Christian Wolmar welcomed everyone to the third HATF Active Travel SIG.

2. Report back from Site Visit (Christian Wolmar)

2nd site visit – covered links from surrounding areas into the Heathrow perimeter roads & how we can improve them (images are provided within the slides):

LB Hounslow: Hounslow shared ideas about a potential future bike hire scheme within the borough and we discussed how to integrate with the airport. Hatton Cross Station would be the best location due to free onward tube travel to all Heathrow Terminals. We will need to understand who owns the land around the station so we can locate the bikes here.

Existing shared use path along A30 is narrow and improvements are required. A key missing link is located across A30 to Cains Lane (provides a quiet cycling route to residential areas of Bedfont and Feltham), Hounslow have raised this with TfL to install toucan crossing.

Route into T4 – an unofficial route which shows it is well used by both cyclists and pedestrians, but leads to a dangerous roundabout

Path to nowhere – Shared use path link, which does not really lead to anywhere. There are proposals to link Southern Perimeter Road to more residential areas along Stanwell Road using S106 funding.

Well used route between both rivers – there is space and an unofficial path has been carved out. Missing section along southern perimeter road between Terminal 4 and Cargo. TW – we have initiated a project to complete this missing link, with feasibility work starting early next year

Bridge linking the Southern Perimeter Road with route to Stanwell and Staines – make it more attractive to users, such as installing lighting and opening the whole bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.

Stanwell Moor Road – cycle route along only a section of it. Key missing link at northern end and at the roundabout to Southern Perimeter Road. This is the boundary of several Highway Authorities (Surrey CC, LB Hillingdon, National Highways) so will need collaboration.

LB Hillingdon – Ian Ramsay showed us around. Scattered pieces of cycling routes, but there are no decent connections between them.
Tunnel under the motorway – the only link provided from north into the airport, not very user friendly. Hillingdon is looking at ways to improve this, including improving roundabouts

Slough BC –A4 between Stanwell Moor Road and Brands Hill is a narrow route which is often overgrown and has a poor surface.

Central Terminal Area Tunnel – HAL to provide segregated cycle route within tunnel side bore and fully segregated cycle paths within the central terminal area to cycle parking areas next to Terminals 2 and 3. Integrate cycle routes to the north of the tunnel with existing cycle routes such as the A4. Likely to open late 2023 or early 2024

CW: What are causes of delays in tunnel project? TW: Lost shifts due to issues which needed immediate addressing.

• CW: Make connection with Hillingdon a priority, due to large number of colleagues living there
• NM : we are progressing with LCWIP and cycle corridor priorities. Can we organise a site visit to show these improvements?

3. Update on National Highways Funded Projects (Ben Amey)

HSPG bid submitted in March.
NH provided 190k feasibility funding on 21st April.
Currently waiting for Surrey CC to iron out a few issues, then it can be progressed further.

MF: full grant amount should be released next year
CW: what are the main scheme areas covered? BA: key areas are a bit further out from the perimeter road, and based on staff postcode data

4. Update on drafting Heathrow Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (Joe Bashford)

Help attract more people to cycling and walking, ties in Surface Access Strategy and mode shift

Identifying high priority routes for development – to see where improvements can be made.

In-depth analysis has been made into the selected routes showing challenges that cyclists face along the routes

The Heathrow LCWIP is a collaborative document that all SIG members should take ownership for progressing in their respective areas.

Next steps:

• Aim to send out draft next week
• Identify funding for the various improvements.

5. AOB

Next meeting to be January / February.

Present

Christian Wolmar – London Cycling Campaign (Trustee) and HATF (Active Travel SIG Chair) Mark Frost – HATF (Independent Technical Advisor)
Timothy Wells – HAL (Surface Access Travel and Policy Lead)
Matthew Wooll – HAL (Route Development Lead)
Tim Leech – HAL (Head of Surface Access and Sponsorship)
Simran Kullar – HAL (Travel Demand Manager)
Neil McClure – Surrey CC
Robert Helsop – LB Hounslow
Russell Roberts – LB Ealing
Shamal Ratnayaka – TfL
Paul Murray – Sustrans
Fiona Blackley – Sustrans
Rob Gray – Crane Valley Community Interest Company
Dug Tremellen – RB Windsor and Maidenhead

Apologies

Val Shawcross CBE – HATF (Board Chair)

1. Welcome

Christian Wolmar welcomed everyone to the second HATF Active Travel SIG.

2. Review actions from last meeting

3 actions from last meeting:

1. Paul Murray and Christian Wolmar site visit, with Tim Wells, Tim Leech and Matthew Wooll took place
2. Ongoing discussions for Slough BC cycle hire at T5
3. Long term – reviewing Heathrow Local Cycling and WalkingInfrastructure Plan (LCWIP)

Action: TW/ MW / BA to continue discussions for Slough BC T5 bike hire

3. Report back from Site Visit (Christian Wolmar)

Cycle tour along LHR perimeter, see slides for images and map for further details.

Areas of improvement highlighted including removal of ‘Cyclist dismount’ signage, potentially reopening gate to blocked off bridge opposite Rising Sun pub, connecting missing links (such as Colnbrook to T5 and Southern Perimeter Road between Cargo and T4), improving cycle facilities at Hatton Cross roundabout including approach where space is available to create a potential cycle track,

CW suggests a 2nd site visit to look at links into perimeter roads and work with local authorities to see how we can progress with them

Paul Murray sent Tim Wells a document showing the quick wins that could be taken forward. Document shared with these minutes.

Business plan for 2022-2026 still going through CAA process. Active travel schemes form part of this, and sit within the Carbon Programme. This includes projects to increase cycling safety around the Heathrow perimeter as well as priority projects such as a cycle link between cargo and T4.

Tim Leech mentioned the cycle wayfinding project – review signage and make most of map to increase navigation. This could drive up enthusiasm and increase awareness for leisure cyclists too as well as commuters.

Suggestion to look into LCDS and Cycling Level of Service and Junction Assessment Tool assessments (Appendices to LTN 1/20) for the routes around the perimeter, in order to make an assessment of the perimeter road and ensure any proposals meet the latest design guidance and standards.

Action: Second Site visit to be arranged

4. HSPG bid to National Highways update (Russell Roberts)

Russell Roberts provided an update on the bid for £1.1million active travel funding from National Highways

4 proposed cycle routes:

1. Slough – Heathrow
2. Hayes – Heathrow
3. Ealing / Hounslow /Southall / Cranford – Heathrow
4. Spelthorne/ Surrey – Heathrow

How will this be managed between the 5 different LA’s – working as a consortium, then NH to work with each local authority.

Action: TW – can include these 4 routes on the 2nd site visit. RR to advise if any HAL support is required (providing data etc)

5. CTA Active Travel Feasibility Study update (Tim Wells)

Tim Wells provided an update on the CTA tunnel.
Feasibility study completed & currently going through governance with the aim for implementation early next year. Detailed design, surveys (such as ramp audit, utilities survey) and traffic modelling to be carried out

See slides for further details, including diagrams of the preferred routes.

Action: TW to arrange site visit to CTA, separate from cycle route visit.

6. July Wider Forum (Tim Wells)

19th July at Compass Centre, with a focus on Active Travel.

Tim Wells shared ideas and agenda, see slides for further information.

Christian Wolmar asked can Olga discuss e-scooters as well as e-bikes.

Action: TW to ask Olga if e-scooters can be included.

7. AOB

None

Present:

Christian Wolmar – London Cycling Campaign (Trustee) and HATF (Active Travel SIG Chair) Val Shawcross CBE – HATF (Board Chair)
Mark Frost – HATF (Independent Technical Advisor)
Timothy Wells – HAL (Surface Access Travel and Policy Lead)
Matthew Wooll – HAL (Route Development Lead)
Rathish Ramachanfran – HAL (Surface Access Intern)
Russell Roberts – LB Ealing
Alfie Purdue – Runway Cycling / Heathrow Cycle Hub
Marcel Steward – Runnymede BC
Spencer Clark – TfL
Shamal Ratnayaka – TfL
Kieran Flynn – LB Hounslow
Dug Tremellen – RB Windsor and Maidenhead
Amelia Hatfield – Surrey CC
Paul Murray – Sustrans
Fiona Blackley – Sustrans
Ben Amey – Slough BC
Rob Gray – Crane Valley Community Interest Company
Sophie Wilmot – LB Hillingdon

1. Welcome and Introductions

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first HATF Active Travel SIG.

2. Review Membership and Scope

The Chair asked members to let Tim Wells know if they think anyone else should be invited to the Active Travel SIGs or if the scope of the group should be altered.

3. Active Travel Programmes at and around Heathrow

a. Heathrow Proposals in the Surface Access Strategy

Tim Wells set out Heathrow’s plans to deliver a step-change in active travel provision over the coming years. See slides for further details.

b. HSPG Bid to National Highways

Russell Roberts provided an update on the HSPG bid for active travel funding from National Highways. See slides for further details.

4. Stakeholder Feedback

Val Shawcross highlighted that the SIG is a great opportunity to build partnerships to develop and deliver improvements for active travel. The Public Transport SIG delivered great results in 2021 and hopes the Active Travel SIG will do the same this year. Who is managing the interface between Local Authority and HAL infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians? Tim Wells responded that HAL need to work with each neighbouring Local Authority and TfL to ensure active travel networks are integrated seamlessly.

The Chair requested a site visit to understand the existing active travel provision at the airport.

Rob Gray stated that the Crane Valley Community Interest Company (CVCIC) was particularly interested in green routes and asked if the ‘Green Loop’ was still proposed with no Expansion. CVCIC is working with Sustrans to look at active travel, including the Longford and Dukes rivers. Highlighted a crossing of the A30 is needed as this is a barrier, but not in the same location as identified in HAL’s slides. Tim Wells answered that HAL is not currently progressing plans for a ‘Green Loop’ but focussing on improvements for colleague commuter routes, although if this includes routes through green space would be keen to explore opportunities.

Ben Amey asked if HAL was open to connecting with cycle hire schemes that TfL and/ or Local Authorities operate. Tim Wells responded saying HAL would be keen to explore this.

Tim Wells asked HSPG what type of infrastructure is being proposed as part of the National Highways bid. Russell Roberts answered that it would vary dependant on traffic volumes, available road space etc.

Mark Frost highlighted the work that had gone into a Heathrow Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) as part of Expansion and that this should not be wasted. Also highlighted that previous HAL funding enabled delivery of active travel projects pre-Covid. Tim Wells responded that HAL is still losing significant amount of money due to slow recovery from Covid-19 and that HAL will invest in improving its roads, and work with Local Authorities and TfL to improve their roads. Hopeful that HAL may be able to contribute in some cases, subject to budget and benefits.

6. AOB

None