Agenda item

This Council notes the current Administration’s ambition for Leeds to become a ‘car-free city’ and the significant amount of investment in the city centre to achieve this.

However, this Council also notes the continuing decline in bus patronage, the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on public transport affordability and reliability and the increasing prevalence of ‘home-based’ and ‘flexible’ working arrangements for Leeds residents. Council also notes that leaving the car at home will require a significant focus on accommodating parked cars in residential streets.

This Council believes that the current two-speed approach to transport investment in the city, with the greatest amount currently spent on city centre projects focussed on a ‘9-5’ commuter economy, needs to change to reflect and respond to the above realities, and calls for the development of a transport plan for every ward in the city. 

These transport plans will seek to maximise mobility for all sectors of population on the principles of developing a ‘15 Minute Neighbourhood’ to enable people to access all the local services and amenities they need by foot, bike or public transport within 15 minutes. 

Through the development of such plans, the Council will ensure that access to local neighbourhood centres, parks, education and health venues has as much focus from our transport planners as city centre businesses, and that carers, the elderly, disabled, and young people are valued as much as those more able to enjoy the city’s current city-centre focussed transport system.

Council therefore calls for a paper proposing such an initiative to be brought to the Executive Board for their consideration.

It was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Howley that this Council notes the current Administration’s ambition for Leeds to become a ‘car-free city’ and the significant amount of investment in the city centre to achieve this.

However, this Council also notes the continuing decline in bus patronage, the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on public transport affordability and reliability and the increasing prevalence of ‘home-based’ and ‘flexible’ working arrangements for Leeds residents. Council also notes that leaving the car at home will require a significant focus on accommodating parked cars in residential streets.

This Council believes that the current two-speed approach to transport investment in the city, with the greatest amount currently spent on city centre projects focussed on a ‘9-5’ commuter economy, needs to change to reflect and respond to the above realities, and calls for the development of a transport plan for every ward in the city. 

These transport plans will seek to maximise mobility for all sectors of population on the principles of developing a ‘15 Minute Neighbourhood’ to enable people to access all the local services and amenities they need by foot, bike or public transport within 15 minutes. 

Through the development of such plans, the Council will ensure that access to local neighbourhood centres, parks, education and health venues has as much focus from our transport planners as city centre businesses, and that carers, the elderly, disabled, and young people are valued as much as those more able to enjoy the city’s current city-centre focussed transport system.

Council therefore calls for a paper proposing such an initiative to be brought to the Executive Board for their consideration.”

An amendment was moved by Councillor Buckley, seconded by Councillor Lamb

Delete all after “This Council” and replace with the following:

“notes the continuing decline in bus patronage, the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on public transport affordability and reliability and the increasing prevalence of ‘home-based’ and ‘flexible’ working arrangements for Leeds residents.

“In this context, Council is not supportive of measures that seek to penalise car users and believes it is the wrong time to be pursuing anti-car policies that could harm the economic recovery and dissuade visitors from coming into Leeds.

“This Council believes that the current two-speed approach to transport investment in the city, with the greatest amount currently spent on city centre projects focussed on a ‘9-5’ commuter economy, needs to change to reflect and respond to the above realities, and calls for the development of a transport plan for every ward in the city. 

“Council therefore calls for a paper to be brought to Executive Board proposing how transport investment and policy can be better focused on the needs of individual areas, ensuring that all our communities have convenient access to the services and facilities they need.”

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Hayden, seconded by Councillor Lewis

Delete all and replace with:

“This Council supports the ambition for Leeds to become a city where you don’t need to own a car.

Council welcomes local public transport improvements delivered or in development under this Labour administration, including:

·  New Park and Ride sites at Temple Green, Elland Road, and Stourton

·  New railway stations at Kirkstall Forge, Thorpe Park, White Rose and Leeds Bradford Airport

·  East Leeds Orbital Route and the associated green corridor

·  A653 Beeston to Tingley bus and cycling improvements

·  Connect West Leeds Levelling Up Scheme

 Council welcomes that these improvements are leading to more people using public transport, with bus and train passenger numbers in Leeds now above the national average and in some cases higher than pre pandemic numbers.

Council notes that 94% of road improvement schemes are completed outside of the city centre.

Council notes the contrast with the lack of improvements delivered in the years when Metro was under Liberal Democrat control.

Council is concerned that Northern is planning to further reduce train services for communities in areas of Leeds, and calls for Northern and the Department of Transport to restore train service levels as soon as possible.

Council welcomes work underway to develop a Mass Transit scheme and commits to work with the Mayor of West Yorkshire to deliver a scheme to benefit communities across Leeds.”

The amendment in the name of Councillor Buckley was declared lost the amendment in the name of Councillor Hayden was carried and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED – That this Council supports the ambition for Leeds to become a city where you don’t need to own a car.

Council welcomes local public transport improvements delivered or in development under this Labour administration, including:

·  New Park and Ride sites at Temple Green, Elland Road, and Stourton

·  New railway stations at Kirkstall Forge, Thorpe Park, White Rose and Leeds Bradford Airport

·  East Leeds Orbital Route and the associated green corridor

·  A653 Beeston to Tingley bus and cycling improvements

·  Connect West Leeds Levelling Up Scheme

Council welcomes that these improvements are leading to more people using public transport, with bus and train passenger numbers in Leeds now above the national average and in some cases higher than pre pandemic numbers.

Council notes that 94% of road improvement schemes are completed outside of the city centre.

Council notes the contrast with the lack of improvements delivered in the years when Metro was under Liberal Democrat control.

Council is concerned that Northern is planning to further reduce train services for communities in areas of Leeds, and calls for Northern and the Department of Transport to restore train service levels as soon as possible.

Council welcomes work underway to develop a Mass Transit scheme and commits to work with the Mayor of West Yorkshire to deliver a scheme to benefit communities across Leeds.”