I am writing for information on the Stovell Road bike rack near the liesure centre in Wiindsor in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM). I supply four reference documents attached. I have divided my questions into two parts, on processes followed and financial matters.
Part 1 - Decision making process and Take up and Usage of the scheme
1. A previous FOI, FOI001814 (see reference document attached) has answered the questions of usage up to May 2025. Can you update until August/September, whichever is complete at the time of your response.
2. From that FOI document, what is the difference between the terms 'pay-as-you-go bookings' and 'unique pay-as-you-go user'. I think I can guess, but wish to be sure.
3. In a BBC local news article (see reference document attached) Geoff Hill, RBWM's transport lead, was quoted as stating
"the hub would support the authority's work to combat climate change" and "the hub would empower more people to reduce their reliance on motorised vehicles for short journeys".What empirical research or other evidence were these statements based on? Please supply such research and evidence as conducted specifically by RBWM or if taken from similar schemes elsewhere in the country, please supply this.
4. Regarding (c) above, how is RBWM planning to show that the schemes aims have been realised?. E.g. How will RBWM show that this scheme has had an impact on climate change? How will it show quantatively that motorised journeys have been reduced by the installation of the Hub? I suggest that users of the new bike hub may already be existing cyclists, with or without ownership of a fossil fuel driven mode of transport (car, motorcycle, taxii or public transport). Please show how RBWM will quatitively acquire and show this data?
5. In an online article on the Road CC website 'Secure cycle parking hub coming to Windsor Liesure Centre '(see reference document attached) It states "The council says that improvements carried out, which were supported by seven in 10 respondents to a consultation", and lists a number of improvements, none of which included the installation of the bike rack. Four related questions to this i) Was the option of the bike rack specifically on the consultation? ii) Can you supply the consultation questionaire used, the response raw numbers etc. iii) How was the consultation publicised and administered e.g. by letter drop to every resident househould, online only survey, newspaper and other media. iv)The term 7 out of 10 respondants is particularly vague as a statistical value. What was the total number of positive responses to the suggestions compared to number of residents in RBWM?
Part 2 Financial
1. In the attached screenshot document entitled 'Secure cycle parking opens at Windsor Leisure Centre ' dated 15 July 2024, published on the RBWM Website( see reference document attached) , it stated that the project was 'funded by Active Travel England via central government'. Stating that it comes from central government suggests that it isnt taxpayers money to begin with, What was the total cost of the bike rack project specifically?
2. Are there any ongoing revenue cost implications for keeping the system going forward?. E.g. I note that there is 24 hr CCTV surveillance. To have a theft or break in detected this would suggest 24 hour monitoring and not just reactive post incident responses and that costs money. Also power for lighting, cameras, etc. What is the total ongoing cost of the scheme to RBWM, broken down? v) Is this RBWM reveneue supported, supported by Active Travel England, or user funded?
3. Re point b) above. Is RBWM signatory to any contracts for ongoing CCTV monitoring, general hub maintenence and repairs of the hub after any initial period of responsibility of the installing company?
4. Were cheaper alternatives considered?. e.g Upgrading the existing bike racks. In the BBC article already referenced, the bike racks at Stovell Road Leisure centre are shown and look ramshackle and without dedicated CCTV oversight for deterrence. As a resident of RBWM I know there was an upgrade done to the Maidenhead Station Bike racks that included dedicated CCTV.
5. Further to point d) above, What was the cost of the Bike rack at Maidenhead c/w the CCTV upgrade compared to the Stovell road development?