To consider the findings of the Hereford Transport Strategy Review and the Peer Review of the South Wye Transport Package and Hereford Transport Package, recommendations made by the general scrutiny committee and determine any strategy proposals to be taken forward.

That cabinet:

(a) notes and considers the review findings and the recommendations and comments of the general scrutiny committee;

(b) identifies strategic transport packages A+ B + from package C demand management – option 11 car parking + E as the preferred options to take forward;

(c) agrees the recommendations A to M of the general scrutiny committee which are set out at Appendix E with the exception of recommendation K;

(d) seeks a further report to set out the implications of taking forward the preferred package(s) and confirms authority for subsequent work to proceed; and

(e) with regard to the two road schemes (the southern link road and western bypass) is minded to recommend to

i. stop progress of the southern link road; and

ii. stop progress of the western bypass.

*The monitoring officer advised cabinet members that part (e) of the decision would need to be referred to Council for a decision and that a further report would be prepared for cabinet to make a recommendation to Council.

1.         Six strategic transport packages, have been developed as part of the Hereford Transport Strategy Review. Their performance relative to key objectives, outcomes and deliverability criteria is set out in the technical report included at Appendix A. The packages are as follows:

Active Travel Package

·         Package A (active travel): Walking and cycling, safer routes to school, low traffic neighbourhoods, behavioural change campaign, transport sharing schemes and mobility hubs

Active Travel and Bus Improvements Package

·         Package A+B (buses): Active Travel combined with electrification of the urban bus fleet, school bus services, demand responsive bus services and bus priority measures

Active Travel and Bus Improvements and Demand Management Package

·         Package A+B+C (demand management): Active Travel and Buses combined with demand management measures and intelligent transport systems

Active Travel and Demand Management and Road Link Packages

·         Package A+C+D: Active Travel and Demand Management combined with western bypass (including southern link road)

·         Package A+C+E: Active Travel and Demand Management combined with eastern link (Rotherwas to Ledbury Road)

·         Package A+C+F: Active Travel and Demand Management combined with an eastern river crossing (Rotherwas to Hampton Park Road)

2.         Package A+C+D includes both the southern link road and western bypass. These two major road schemes are included in the adopted local transport plan strategy and have been progressed as major transport schemes. In October 2019 the decision was taken to pause both of these road schemes pending the outcome of the strategy and peer reviews set out in this report. In considering which strategic package or combination of packages to take forward cabinet should also determine the next steps for the southern link road and western bypass. The alternative options are identified in the recommendation and include:

                                          i.    stopping either or both schemes

                                         ii.    continuing to pause either or both schemes

                                        iii.    undertaking further review of either or both schemes

                                       iv.    progressing either or both schemes