Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Development on information regarding present traffic levels and the location of peak hour congestion on the A65 and A660 corridors.

The Director of Development submitted a report on information regarding present traffic levels and the location of peak hour congestion on the A65 and A660 corridors.

The purpose of the report was to provide an overview of peak and off-peak traffic flow information, vehicle travel times and journey speeds for sections of the A65 and A660 within the Inner North West area, extending outwards from the Inner Ring Road to the A6120.  Information was also provided to enable a comparison to be made against selected other radial corridors in the city.

Andrew Hall, Development Department presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  clarification as to why Queenswood Drive was omitted from data provided for the Spen Lane/ Morris Lane area

·  the concern expressed that the report failed to address the amount of traffic that was ‘rat’ running on residential side roads

·  the importance of addressing congestion issues within the North West Inner area and the need for this Committee to make recommendations to the Executive Board in this regard

·  the need to address planning issues with a mechanism in place to reduce car parking spaces i.e. Kirkstall Centre

·  the need to introduce park and ride sites on the outer edge of the area which would solve the problems of congestion on the A65/A660

·  the need for a report to be presented to this Committee on a replacement for Supertram and to include timescales

·  reference to the 2030 forecast level of passenger use at Leeds/Bradford Airport and the future effects that climate change may have for policies concerning the airline industry and the implications for future plans to improve surface transport links to the airport

·  the need to concentrate on improving public transport within the city

·  clarification of the current enforcement provision for those drivers who drive/or park in bus lanes

·  clarification of the standards in place for vehicle usage on different types of roads

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That in view of the importance of this issue and the need to address congestion issues within the Inner North West area, this issue be referred to the Transport Group for further discussion with a request for further progress reports to come back to this Committee in due course.