To consider consultation feedback and confirm next steps of delivery of the South Wye Transport Package (SWTP) Active Travel Measures (ATM).

The cabinet member infrastructure introduced the item. The purpose of the report was to consider the feedback received to the consultation on the south wye transport package active travel measures and to seek approval for the next steps towards delivery of these measures. A list of proposed schemes was put forward for specific consultation from 12 September 2016. The questionnaire was well responded to and there was a high level of support for the measures, with some scoring higher than others. The cabinet member noted that some of the measures would be able to be implemented ahead of the construction of the southern link road while others would have to come after. Funding had been achieved through the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) of £27m within a budget of £35m. The strategic outline case put to the LEP in the bid for funding estimated the cost of the southern link road in the region of £29.75m with public realm schemes at £3m and cycle and walking schemes at £2m. As the detail of the road and active travel measures were developed further these estimates would be updated and presented in the full business case for the project, which would be signed off by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The head of infrastructure delivery summarised the purpose of the report and the outcomes of the consultation into the active travel measures. She noted that other suggestions had come forward in the response to the consultation other than those specifically consulted on. These suggestions would be evaluated alongside the options actually consulted on. 

The cabinet member for finance, housing and corporate services noted that the ATMs within the development would enhance the lives and health of residents in the areas which were affected. He asked for more details of those measures which might be brought forward ahead of the SLR and an idea of the timescales involved in their delivery. The head of infrastructure delivery responded that a number of the measures consulted on did not rely on the SLR for implementation such as a wider implementation of 20mph limits in residential zones, improvements along Holme Lacy Road and some other routes remote from Belmont Road. The analysis needed to move forward these schemes could be completed within a 12 month period.

Group leaders were invited to give the views of their group.

The leader of the Its Our County group thanked officers for the detailed data provided and relayed the following points:

·         disappointment regarding the lack of recognition for the strongly supported alternative proposals, in particular for a light tram system and park and ride provision; the intention to evaluate these suggestions alongside the options in the consultation was noted and the group asked that due weight be given to the strongly supported and excellent suggestions;

·         whether it would be possible to apply any 20mph restriction for residential zones to the whole city rather than area by area;

·         a desire to see the active travel measures delivered before the SLR wherever possible or alongside the SLR where necessary;

·         that any pressure on the costs of delivery of the SLR must not lead to a reduction in funding for the ATMs;

·         that the full business case for the SWTP must be as a stand alone package, no details of potential benefits from the bypass should be included;

·         it would have been helpful to have sight of the detailed risk register developed for the SWTP project with the agenda papers and a link to the strategic baseline business case.

The cabinet member infrastructure confirmed that all options would be considered and that if the selected active travel measures could be delivered in advance of the construction of the southern link road they would be. He explained that the risk register was an operational document which was updated as the programme developed but agreed to send a copy of the current register and a link to the business case.

The leader of the green group stated that they did wish to see all the active travel measures taken forward. There was significant support across the county for the introduction of a 20mph limit for residential zones and the group leader queried whether this could be rolled out over a larger area.

The cabinet member infrastructure confirmed that the 9 options listed had been prioritised but that other schemes would probably come into the equation as part of the Hereford Area Plan. He stated that the cost of introducing a 20mph limit to a wider area would be likely to exceed the budget made available for this particular transport package but that this could be explored to see what might be practical.

Resolved that:

(a)   having regard to the public support for the SWTP active travel proposals the assistant director environment and place be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to progress further analysis and detailed design, to a maximum value of £500,000, to confirm a preferred package of active travel measures to be delivered with the SLR for approval by the cabinet member for infrastructure;

(b)  a programme for delivery of this preferred package of active travel measures and a procurement strategy for their delivery be developed for approval by the cabinet member for infrastructure.