To receive a presentation by the Cabinet Member (Highways & Transportation) informing the Committee of policy issues affecting this programme area and the main priorities.

The Committee received a presentation by the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation).

A report and presentation had been prepared by the Cabinet Member outlining the issues affecting the Highways and Transportation programme area and highlighting the main priorities for 2005/06.

In presenting his report the Cabinet Member highlighted in particular:

• Recent successes had been the extension of the Great Western Cycleway; the refurbishment of Leominster Railway forecourt; opening of the Roman Road scheme; completion of the Leominster Industrial Estate Access Road and the award winning new bridge at Bridge Sollars.

• Proposals for the future included the Local Transport Plan 2006/7 to 2010/11 (LTP2), the draft of which had been submitted to GOWM by the due date.  The final version, which would cover the 4 shared priorities between Government and the LGA of: delivering accessibility; tacking congestion; safer roads and better air quality would be submitted by 31st March 2006. Indications were that Government LTP funding to the County would be at a lower level than in previous years.

• Major schemes included in the LTP2 were: Rotherwas Access Relief Road which needed strong cross-party support; A49-A465 link road including river crossing; monitoring work for a possible North West Herefordshire relief road; and an extension to Ledbury By-pass (possibly funded by PFI).

• Other possible schemes included finishing off both Eastern and Western ends of the Roman Road and addressing air pollution issues at Bargates, Leominster.

• A Director level meeting would be held with the Highways Agency to discuss trunk road issues and in particular those on the A49.

• Monitoring work continued to be undertaken during the trial Widemarsh Street pedestrianisation scheme.

• £2 million had been allocated in the Council budget for the Hereford City centre refurbishment works (undertaken with Economic Development).

• A protocol had been adopted, and was regularly reviewed, to speed up the implementation of traffic orders.

• Following recent development schemes in Bromyard, resulting in the loss of car parking spaces, work was under way to identify possible replacement sites.

• Flood Alleviation Schemes – work was due to start at Ross-on-Wye in 2006.  The Cabinet Member was monitoring progress with the Hereford, Belmont roundabout scheme (associated with the Asda development) which was currently being considered by DEFRA.

• The Public Rights of Way improvement plan would be progressed.

• The Council priorities to improve transport and the safety of roads and to sustain vibrant and prosperous communities, provide more efficient, effective and customer-focused services would be pursued, primarily through the LTP which encompassed all the Council’s major transport strategies and policies.

The Committee noted the report and presentation by the Cabinet Member.  The following is an outline of the questions and responses or comments made during the ensuing questioning of the Cabinet Member:

• In view of the generally disappointing response to questions put to the Highways Agency by Committee on 28th February, the outcome of the Director level meeting with the Highways Agency be conveyed to the Committee.

• In response to concerns over long term parking provision in the County, and in particular Bromyard, the Committee were assured that, the LTP2 contained schemes to help address concerns for the foreseeable future e.g. Park and Ride scheme and the car “2 Share Scheme”.

• While the increase in cycle use was applauded, concern was voiced over the number of cyclists riding through pedestrian areas. It was noted that the police undertook enforcement of this offence.

• Had changes to the Highway improvement/maintenance budget resulted in inconsistent information being released to the public?  To maximise the funding opportunities capital funding had replaced revenue funding for a number of small schemes.  Improvement schemes were prioritised and normally undertaken as capital finance became available whereas highway maintenance was undertaken from revenue funding.  Some confusion over when schemes were to start may have arisen due to the change in financing. A view was expressed that a longer term Capital programme would help with the planning process.

• It was noted that often when discussing Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) at Parish Council meetings the local police often voiced no objection, whereas in response to this authority’s official consultation the police had not supported the proposals and no explanation had been given.  This resulted in delaying implementation.  It was reported that the police will not necessarily offer formal support for TROs which create an additional enforcement demand.

• While acknowledging the recent review of bus services and the significant increase in subsidy, the Committee sought assurances that further reviews, to include the wider community transport schemes, would be regularly undertaken.  The Cabinet Member reported that while a major bus contract had been renegotiated, smaller contracts were due for review.  Efforts had been made to bring all partners together to ensure that the various community transport schemes worked together.  From 1 April 2006, local authorities will be required to replace existing half fare concessionary travel schemes for the elderly and disabled with schemes offering free travel and this would also need to be addressed.

• On seeking assurances that improvements to Hereford Belmont roundabout would be made before Asda started trading, the Cabinet Member assured the Committee that this was part of the planning permission. He was closely monitoring progress by both Asda and the Highways Agency who were responsible for the trunk road.

• Responding to questions regarding the recent publicity regarding Herefordshire Jarvis Services he anticipated no difference to the contracted services. Any additional expenditure e.g. changes to vehicle signs, would be the responsibility of the contractor.

• In response to questions concerning improvements to rail transport the Cabinet Member emphasised that while the rail companies concerned were commercial ventures he intended to up keep pressure on them to make improvements and was in talks with the companies.  Realistically he wished to at least maintain the current level of services.  The LPT2 contained a number of minor rail related schemes that the Council could influence.

• While the scheme had been included in the LTP2, no costings had so far been made for the proposed Ledbury by-pass extension.

• It was noted that consultation on the Hereford Town Centre refurbishment scheme would be undertaken with the public, all relevant stakeholders and Local Members.

• Costings and progress concerning the Hereford Park and Ride scheme were set out in the feasibility study, an executive summary of which was available to Members.  Proposals were initially to operate a Park and Ride site for the North of the City followed by one for the South.  There were no proposals to operate Park and Ride in any of the market towns.

• In reply to a repeated request for the installation of a box junction at the Commercial Road/Stonebow Road junction – particularly to facilitate ambulance access – the Committee was informed that this would be strongly considered.  However, the timing would be subject to proposals to resurface this section of Commercial Road.

• While welcoming the increasing success of the Walking Festivals the Committee requested a value for money style report on the events e.g. the full cost of the events compared to the benefits to the local economy; health and educational benefits.

• Responding to a comment concerning the presentation of statistical information e.g. those on agenda page 16 headed “Meeting and Stretching Targets”, the Cabinet Member agreed that, while correct, the information may not covey the information needed and therefore in future these would be presented in a more meaningful way.

• The reference to Network Management duties in the Cabinet Member’s presentation referred to the Council’s legal duty to manage the highway network with regard to congestion.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) for his presentation and for responding to the Committee’s questions.

RESOLVED:

That

a)     The presentation by the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) be noted;

b)     Members be informed of the outcome of the Director of Environment’s meeting with the Environment Agency, concerning trunk roads with particular reference to the A49; and

c)     Committee Members be provided with a value for money style report on the Walking Festival.