Agenda item

Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Climate and Sustainable Travel and Sophie Broadfield, Director of Sustainable Communities, introduced the report and gave a presentation which covered the following:

·  Introduction

·  Vision

·  Objectives

·  How we have consulted so far

·  Consultation findings

·  Better public transport options

·  Providing for Travel by bike or on foot

·  Creating improved places to live and work

·  Cleaner, greener school travel

·  Supporting future mobility

·  Connecting Bath to rural communities and market towns

·  Next steps

·  Have your say

·  The Plan identifies: current projects/Developming projects/Future projects

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Karen Warrington stated that the programme is centred around Bath. Rural communities have had public transport cuts recently – residents welcome transport improvements into the City. Also, will you be working with Bristol City Council regarding transport into Bristol. Councillor Warren explained that the document evolved from previous documents about Bath. Bath and access to it is central to the document. CRST rural fund and innovation fund will help. Chew Valley has been suggested for a pilot regarding decarbonisation. Regarding Bristol routes, there will be focus on the A37.

Councillor Hirst stated that it was an exciting document, but the challenge is how we deliver. He asked the following questions, officer/Cabinet Member responses are shown in italics.

·  The table shows that twice the amount of people use public transport in Oxford – how can we learn from them? Councillor Warren stated that she had spoken to her counterpart in Oxford Council. The Director stated that visiting other cities will help with improvements. Councillor Walker stated that while the population is similar in the two cities, Bath has a lot more hills.

·  Can we take the issues such as air pollution and transport out of the political sphere? There could be a cross party advisory board which would mean there would be no stall due to a change in administration. Councillor Warren stated that she would think about this suggestion.

Councillor Dr Kumar stated that this was a grandiose wish list. He asked how cleaner, greener schools would be achieved and what the plan is to encourage independent and healthy travel. He asked if schools would be funded to help them improve their environment. Councillor Warren gave the example of Amsterdam in the 1970’s which was choked with cars. She explained that this situation was addressed by someone first having a vision. She explained that step one is the vision from which the business case can be put together which is how local government funding works. She further explained that the basis of the plan is putting in safe and segregated cycle routes so that parents would feel safe allowing children to cycle to school. We want to show more residents the potential of e-bikes. She explained that the document contains a bold vision but has been broken down in current/futures plans.

Councillor Dr Kumar stated that cycle lanes are 1.5metres and roads in Bath are too narrow and a lot of the secondary school are on hills. Councillor Warren agreed that this outlines one of the problems faced but not only flat cities are cycling cities. Access to e-bikes will help.

Councillor Ruth Malloy asked the following questions, officer/Cabinet Member responses are shown in italics:

·  The Council has 4 e-bikes for hire to businesses – is there a similar system for individuals? The Director stated that this was a good suggestion that she would take away.

·  Bath is a World Heritage City, we could look at the 10 other Spa towns of Europe. The Director stated that the City of Bath was built to walk around. She stated that investments are being made such as in Bathampton.

Councillor Shelley Bromley stated that a car club could be an attractive idea, especially for younger people. She stated that bus fares are very expensive and we need to try to drive them down. Councillor Warren explained that this Council does not control the bus companies, but WECA has a direct relationship and we do talk to them. First Bus are the largest provider in the area and they are mindful of the impact of cancelled services and are keen to work with WECA. Bath is a difficult place to run buses as it is bus lanes that make bus journeys more attractive to drivers.

Regarding the Council’s control over Park and Ride sites, Councillor Walker stated that these sites need to be made safter for people to use with confidence.

Councillor Ryan Wills asked the following questions, officer/Cabinet Member responses are shown in italics:

·  Do we work with WECA on recruiting bus drivers? Councillor Warren explained that First Bus have been taking innovative approaches on this.

·  What are the plans for the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure? Councillor Warren stated that there are many challenges on this and WECA are putting in a bid for additional funding. We would like to progress faster. It was also pointed out the technology is moving fast in this area.

Councillor Karen Walker stated that blue badge holders and non blue badge holders are being put off coming into the City – how will this be addressed? Councillor Warren explained that a group was being set up including blue badge holders, please tell us about other groups (such as people who may be registered as disabled but do not have a blue badge) so that we can make sure they are represented. We are thinking of a Transport Forum with independent chairing. 

Councillor Warrington added that groups such as NHS care workers and district nurses should be represented and also the temporarily disabled.  The Director stated that the Council is not anti-car but the problems caused by congestion impact on all groups. Councillor Bromley stated that she had spoken to some Blue Badge holders who found that Westgate Street was easier to access now.

The Panel RESOLVED that their comments on the plan be forwarded to the Cabinet Member for Climate and Sustainable Travel and relevant officers prior to the plan being taken to Cabinet for full approval in May 2022.