The report sets out the progress to date on the development of the new Local Transport Plan (LTP) and seeks comments and recommendations from scrutiny that Cabinet may include as part of its considerations of the new LTP vision and objectives.

The Cabinet Member Transport and Infrastructure and the Interim Head of Transportation and Parking introduced the item.  The committee was advised that the Local Transport Plan (LTP) was as a key strategy document to access transport funding for the county, guidance on the preparation of new LTPs was awaited from the Department for Transport (DfT), there were linkages between the new Herefordshire LTP and other strategies and plans, and attention was drawn to factors in the wider context of the plan (paragraph 23, agenda page 26).

The principal points of the discussion are summarised below:

1.           The Interim Head of Transportation and Parking reported that the LTP was in the early stages of development, there had been an extensive carbon emissions modelling exercise, and the objectives for the LTP would be considered by Cabinet (link to the issue details).

2.           The Interim Head of Transportation and Parking advised that other data would be used in subsequent stages to develop the long list of potential interventions, alongside consultation, feedback, and prioritisation.  Committee members commented on the need for contextual data to help frame discussions about the objectives.  The committee was advised that carbon emissions data had not been published with the agenda, as officers considered that supporting narrative was needed from the specialist consultants, WSP.  The Chairperson emphasised the need to conduct business in an open and transparent manner, and requested that all background materials be published in full for subsequent meetings.

3.           The Vice-Chairperson noted that reducing carbon emissions would form a key part of the LTP and questioned the research being undertaken in the context of the other goals, such as supporting economic growth, promoting equality of opportunity, contributing to better health, safety, and security, and improving quality of life and a healthy natural environment.  The Interim Head of Transportation and Parking acknowledged that, as a significant change to previous plans, the report had focussed on carbon emissions but there would be cross-references to other strategies and plans, such as the Big Economic Plan.  The Vice-Chairperson commented on the need to explore potential initiatives, such as convenient and reliable public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and co-working hubs.

4.           The Chairperson drew attention to paragraph 14 (agenda page 25) which stated ‘… transport in Herefordshire represented around 26% of total emissions’, to the council’s website which stated ‘In Herefordshire, transport accounts for 36% of our emissions’ (link to the website’), and to paragraph 24 e) (agenda page 26) which stated ‘41% of emissions are for trips greater than 50 miles'.  The Chairperson expressed concerns about the inconsistency in the way that carbon emissions had been presented, with a mix of territorial and consumption calculations. The WSP Technical Director reported that the quantification of emissions was based on the recommended standard set out in unpublished, draft guidance.  The Chairperson emphasised the need to address the inconsistency, particularly given the potential implications for the prioritisation of effort.  The committee discussed the differences in approach and the importance of modal shift for short journeys.

5.           A committee member made comments about the need to work in partnership to address issues in rural areas, including National Grid capacity, demand response transport, and railway infrastructure.

6.           The Interim Head of Transportation and Parking reported that Midlands Connect was in the early stages of looking at bus franchising.  A committee member suggested that a potential item on bus franchising could be added to the work programme long list.  The Chairperson drew attention to recent innovations such as the Daffodil Line in Herefordshire and the fflecsi bus service in Wales.

7.           A committee member made comments about economic and other factors which may influence journey patterns made by individuals within households, including employment opportunities and education provision.

8.           In response to a question about the consideration of transport carbon emissions in relation to river crossing options, the Interim Head of Transportation and Parking advised that the LTP would look at the carbon effects, impacts and mitigations associated with major highway infrastructure.  It was reported that the next stage of work on the LTP would involve looking at types of interventions.

9.           The Interim Head of Transportation and Parking reported that there was close working between the LTP and the Local Plan teams to respond to potential changes to land use or provision, and the LTP would be reviewed regularly.

10.        Clarifications were provided about the ‘analysis of 17 other authorities’ LTPs’ and the meaning of ‘streets for people philosophy, and modal hierarchy’ (paragraph 33 d, agenda page 27).

11.        The Interim Head of Transportation and Parking advised that the alignment of consultation processes should mitigate the risk ‘It is likely that public and stakeholder consultation for the LTP will overlap with that of the Local Plan and other transportation projects, running the risk of confusion or consultation fatigue for partners, stakeholders and the public.’ (paragraph 50, agenda page 30).

12.        The Chairperson expressed concerns about the lack of clarity about the consultation process and considered it surprising that there had not been engagement with key stakeholders to date, such as the Transport subgroup of the Herefordshire Climate and Nature Partnership Board (HCNPB).  Another committee member commented that opportunities may have been missed to gather different sources of data.

13.        The Chairperson emphasised the need for strategies and plans to be rooted in the lived experiences of people in Herefordshire and the views of stakeholders.  With attention drawn to the six broad themes that emerged from analysis of other LTPs (paragraph 36, agenda page 28), the Chairperson commented on the need to articulate support for a shift to active travel modes.  It was suggested that the objectives could be ordered in terms of people, environment, and economy.

14.        The Vice-Chairperson considered that the development of the LTP should be embraced as an opportunity, not just to unlock access to funding, and that further research and consultation was needed to reflect the needs of the county.

At the conclusion of the debate, the committee discussed potential recommendations and the following resolution was agreed.

Resolved:  That it be recommended to the executive:

1.           Publish in full all background materials, including but not limited to the carbon modelling exercise.

2.           Address the inconsistency in the way that carbon emissions are presented (by mixing territorial and consumption); publish both consumption and territorial emissions for both overall emissions and journey length (if possible); and address the issue that this report underplays the importance of modal shift for short journeys.

3.           Engage immediately and closely with the Transport subgroup of the HCNPB as well as other key stakeholders, including National Grid.

4.           Engage ASAP with a wide range of stakeholders to collect data as well as consult on emerging priorities.

5.           Consider the following suggested objectives:

a.           Improved road safety

b.           Improved residents health

c.           Improved range of transport choices including active travel and public transport, demand-responsive transport and reliable public EV charging infrastructure

d.           Improved access to services

e.           Carbon reduction (embodied and operational)

f.             Nature protection

g.           Supporting a sustainably thriving and prosperous economy.