Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Officer Highways and Transport which   seeks to advise Members of the Transport Conversation and engagement   process and requests feedback and input from the Community Committee on   the future strategic approach to transport in the city 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.

  (Report attached)

The Chief Officer Highways and Transportation submitted a report which advised Members of the Transport conversation and engagement process.

The report sought feedback and input from the Community Committee on the future strategic approach to transport in the city 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.

Gary Bartlett, Chief Officer Highways and Transport presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report which included:

Summary of Key Transport Challenges

·  Significant population growth of up to 15% by 2028

·  Falling bus usage

·  Most congested part of the Leeds highway network was to the north west

·  Distribution of new housing towards eastern side of Leeds

·  Distribution of proposed new employment was predominantly to the City Centre and east of the city

A Vision for Transport in Leeds

·  Supports the growth of the economy

·  Creates a place where people want to live and work

·  Everyone can access

·  Has a positive effect on people’s health and wellbeing

·  Is less harmful to the environment

Strategic Themes

·  Connecting people and Communities

·  Connecting people to jobs and businesses to businesses

·  Building a World Class connected City Centre

·  Promoting Health, Wellbeing, Clean and Safe Transport System

In terms of what happens next, the Chief Officer Highways and Transport said the aim was: identifying and prioritising options, to overcome challenges, deliver in partnership, continue the conversation with Community Committees and continue to develop the transport strategy into next year.

The Chair thanked the Chief Officer Highways and Transport for his presentation and sought the views of Members

Councillor Harrand referred to the proposed new orbital road for East Leeds, suggesting that only recently Members had become aware of the proposed route. He said there were some major issues which needed to be better understood before moving on with the new transport strategy.

Councillor Lamb suggested that improved connectivity in the outer areas was essential. Residents living for example in; Scholes, Barwick and Aberford had to travel into Leeds to get a bus to the next village.

It was suggested that pressure needed to be put on the bus operators to obtain better connectivity in the outer areas.

Councillor Robinson said that Leeds was a “car only city” we need to have vision, move forward, be more ambitious / aspirational and consider schemes such as a monorail or an underground system. The intension would be to start with one line and expand over time; other core cities already had such schemes

Questioned about the views of officers, the Chief Officer Highways and Transport said expansion of park & ride, new stations, new link roads and junction improvements could  influence the strategy.

In summing up the Chair said improved connectivity in the outer areas was essential, however, there was a general view that the strategy needs to be more ambitious.

On a final note the Chair said the Parish Council Forum would be meeting on 13th October 2016, could an officer from Highways be in attendance to deliver a similar presentation.

The Chief Officer Highways and Transport confirmed that the appropriate arrangements would be made.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the wider strategic context of the Transport conversation which would extend beyond a first phase conversation into spring/summer of next year, informing a wider transport strategy for the City and the Outer North East area over the next 20 years.

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