Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation, on the Transport Conversation and engagement process. The report seeks feedback and input from Members on the future strategic approach to transport in the city; including the Committees’ key priorities for transport investment in the city and the local community; and the development of a proposition and delivery plan for the £173.5 million fund due to be allocated following the cancellation of the NGT project.

The Committee considered a report on the Transport Conversation and engagement process. The report sought feedback and input on the future strategic approach to transport in the city, as well as the development of proposals and delivery plan for the £173m fund due to be allocated to Leeds following the cancellation of the NGT project.

Gary Bartlett, Chief Highways and Transportation Officer, introduced the report and sought the community’s’ views on transport concerns and problems along with ideas for local solutions. Development of a Transport Strategy would consider many factors (such as congestion, road safety, pollution; the impact of cars on the city and district centres; the changing demographics of the city; technology; falling bus usage)  and also recognise that future transport would need to link with regional transport schemes.

It was reported that 3000 responses had been received since the Transport conversation had been launched on 2^nd August 2016. Two key elements of the consultation were highlighted as being:

·  Proposals to utilise the £173 m former trolleybus funding

·  The production of a wider Transport Strategy for the next 20 years

The Committee noted the intention to facilitate further local consultation to inform the transport strategy.

The Committee made use of the “Community Comment” agenda item to discuss the presentation in detail with local residents and the following issues were considered:

-  Measures to ensure widespread; meaningful engagement and promotion of the Conversation; and to ensure local solutions were fully considered in the development of the strategy

-  Ongoing highways works and cycle lane implementation in the locality

-  Proposals contained within the provisions in the Governments Bus Services Bill for greater Local Authority involvement in bus services and fares

-  Impact of through traffic on the localities within the Inner East CC area

-  Recognition that there would not be a “quick fix” for those areas such as Harehills which experienced through traffic to the City Centre.

-  Access and equality

-  Better public transport connectivity between the wards

Comments highlighted the balance to be struck between the need to identify local issues and local solutions against the need for strategic city wide schemes – such as the East Leeds Orbital Road - which could also deliver traffic reduction within the Inner East CC wards.

RESOLVED –

a)  To thank officers for the presentation and to note the contents of the report

b)  To note the intention to consider the Transport Conversation in more detail, including further local engagement opportunities

c)  To note the wider strategic context of the Transport Conversation which will extend beyond a first phase conversation into the Spring/ Summer of next year, informing a wider transport strategy for the City and your area over the next 20 years

d)  To note the Department of Transport £173.5 million offer for public transport improvements, in the context of a currently planned report to Executive Board on the 19th October and the planned submission of strategic investment case to the Department of Transport

e)  To note the initial feedback provided and indicators of key priorities for transport investment in the city and the local Inner East community.