Agenda item

The Group Manager for Planning Policy & Transport will update the Panel verbally at the meeting regarding this item.

Mr David Redgewell, South West Transport Network addressed the Panel.

He said that part of the strategy must include bus priority measures on the Lower Bristol Road. He also called for bus shelters to be improved across the Council and said that residents should not be allowed to veto this work, such as dropped kerbs or shelters.

He said that he expected the Council’s transport links to be debated heavily at the Core Strategy hearings and urged work to be pursued on an East of Bath Park & Ride and Saltford Train Station as soon as possible.

He also asked the Panel to read and comment upon the West of England Strategic Economic Plan.

The Chair asked for clarification as to whether the Panel could comment upon the Plan.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that the West of England Joint Scrutiny Committee were due to debate the Plan later in the month and advised that Councillor Brett was a member of the committee and so Panel members could feed their comments through to her. He added that LEP funding would be sought as a result of the Plan.

Councillor Brett commented that she was happy to convey comments from the Panel to the Joint Scrutiny Committee.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport introduced the item to the Panel. He explained that the Joint Local Transport Plan was still in existence and that this piece of work would focus on Bath issues because of its planned growth. He added that it would look to identify key investment areas, such as car parking, bus improvements and cycle provision.

He commented that the Council had only scratched the surface of their Public Realm work and said that as a significant number of residents walk to work, could this made any easier for them?

He informed them that a vision would be produced as part of this work and that consultation across all relevant departments was key.

He stated that transport solutions were required in the advent of 9,000 new jobs within the city and that the Council would work with a number of agencies, including First Bus to identify improvements.

The Chair asked when any consultation on the strategy would take place.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that it was planned to take place in the Spring in conjunction with the Enterprise Masterplan.

Councillor Geoff Ward if the vision of the strategy was going to be big enough. He also commented that rail links to London must be improved and that the strategy must gain cross Council support.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that he did think the vision would be big enough and emphasised that this strategy was to be more precise about the work required for Bath.

Councillor Liz Richardson commented that rural residents need help in travelling to Bath as adequate public transport is not available.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that work will focus on the important areas within the Council and that bus services should improve as a result.

Councillor David Martin acknowledged the large amount of work required for the strategy and asked if the resources were available to undertake it.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that enough resources were available and that having the correct infrastructure in place will enable the planned growth.

The Group Manager for Planning Policy and Transport added that the Strategic Economic Plan would enable funding to the LEP to develop long term plans.

Councillor Lisa Brett commented that she welcomed the one Council approach, but asked if that had meant any tensions had needed to be managed.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that he was not aware of any current tensions and added that officers had a clear message from Councillors of the work required through the debates on the Core Strategy.

Councillor Lisa Brett called for projects to be listed and lined up ready to go once the strategy had been finalised.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that a list of projects will be made within the document when it is published.

Councillor Lisa Brett commented that all Councillors should be briefed on their equality responsibilities in relation to bus stops.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that most bus stops have been updated without any problems and that the Council’s consultation process was judged to be sound in one case that had been the subject of a Judicial Review.

Councillor Charles Gerrish commented that he was concerned this work would delay in planning a strategy for Keynsham. He added that he felt there was a huge hole in the West of England Strategic Economic Plan as it contained no transport proposals for the planned growth of the area.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that work relating to Keynsham was not being delayed as part of this process and that work involving the Somer Valley would follow on after that.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones commented that he had concerns over the levels of congestion that may arise through expected level of growth.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that the intention is to provide opportunities for the public to travel in a number of different ways. He added that more homes will be available closer to the city and therefore have a positive effect on congestion.

Councillor Geoff Ward commented that he was concerned that Transport policies were driving the Housing Strategy of the Council and called for more of a focus along the guidelines of the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework).

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport replied that work was being driven by the Economic Strategy and that the NPPF supports sustainable growth.

Councillor Anthony Clarke said he was pleased that the needs of the city had been recognised, but also called for support to the rural residents.

Councillor Dave Laming commented that the NPPF supports sustainable integrated development and that integrated communities must also be created.

The Chair thanked the officers for addressing the Panel and repeated the view from a previous meeting that the Panel would like to see the results of the work carried out by the consultants before it is consulted upon.