To receive a presentation by the Cabinet Member (Highways and 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 (Highways and Transportation) outlining the issues affecting the Highways and Transportation Programme area and highlighting some of the specific challenges for 2006/07.

In presenting his report the Cabinet Member highlighted in particular:

• The Comprehensive Performance Assessment Team had made positive comments about the Council’s Local Transport Plan; the Directorate’s work to encourage cycling; its liaison with the Highways Agency to reduce accidents on the A49 and its work on the low-floor bus project.
• The Council and Herefordshire MIND received national recognition after a transport scheme aimed at helping people in isolated communities was short listed for an award.
• While some unavoidable disruption had been experienced, improvements to the City centre were progressing or completed.
• Improvements had been made to the cycle network and he highlighted the new cycle way along Roman Road.
• A major challenge would be to improve the condition of the roads.  He highlighted that the government calculated financial allocation per head of population rather than on kilometres of road, which naturally disadvantaged rural counties.  Other challenges would be to cut road casualties even further and to promote sustainable transport that served all the people of the County.
• He clarified in relation to agenda page 25 that the target was to reduce to less than 134 the number of people killed or seriously injured on the County’s roads (averaging out to not more than 129 over the next three years) and to ensure that not more than 17 children are killed or seriously injured on our roads.

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:

• While the Council were ready to start with the Ross-on-Wye flood alleviation scheme it had been put on hold due to problems with DEFRA funding.  The Council were also working with the Environment Agency to get the best flood alleviation scheme for Belmont.
• Director level meetings continued to be held with the Highways Agency concerning safety on the A49.  While some progress had been made, with a number of additional safety measures being installed at Ashton and other proposals being programmed (date yet to be announced), he would be keeping up the pressure for further and quicker action by the Agency.
• Questioned on aspects of train travel, and in particular trains unrepentantly terminating in Ledbury, the Cabinet Member confirmed that he had been in correspondence with Central Trains who indicated that the situation had been remedied in the new timetable. However, he was aware that the Central Trains franchise expired in December 2006.
• Having emphasised the employment and environmental aspects, a further bid for the Rotherwas Access Road had been submitted.  The bid had been graded a Priority 1 scheme by the region’s government Agencies, however, the outcome of the bid was still awaited from central government.
•  Subject to contractual issues the park and ride scheme was progressing.  The Committee suggested that local businesses/service providers be kept informed of the scheme in view of the limited parking facilities at some premises.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for his report and presentation and for his response to the Committee’s questioning.