Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Corporate Director, Place.

The Summons will be published prior to the meeting of Cabinet on 4 March 2025. The reports attached to this item will therefore be the Cabinet versions. An update will be provided in the event Cabinet resolves any changes to the recommendations or documents.

Appendix A - Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) (Pages 17 - 976)

Appendix B - LTP4 Executive Summary (Pages 977 - 1000)

Appendix C - LTP4 Draft Delivery Plan (Pages 1001 - 1016)

Appendix D - Consultation Summary Document (Pages 1017 - 1050)

Appendix E - List of proposed changes to LTP4 (Pages 1051 - 1054)

The Chairman called upon Cllr Tamara Reay, Cabinet Member for Transport and Assets, to introduce the report. Cllr Reay moved the proposal set out in the report to adopt the Local Transport Plan (LTP4), which was seconded by Cllr Richard Clewer.

Cllr Reay provided detail on the background and preparation of the Plan, noting the particular importance of transport within a large rural county such as Wiltshire. The executive summary document was highlighted given the necessarily extensive nature of the formal Plan documentation. She also set out the vision for transport in the council area in the Plan, investment in public transport and active transport, not penalising residents who needed to use cars, and thanked residents and stakeholders for responding to help shape the plan, as well as work from the council’s overview and scrutiny task groups and committees.

A public statement was then received from Andrew Nicolson, Wiltshire Climate Alliance, criticising development of the LTP4 in the context of the council’s climate emergency commitments.

Questions from Members of the Public were received as detailed in the Agenda Supplement. Mr Nicolson asked a supplementary question asking for detail on estimates of how much the local authority could influence the level of emissions. Cllr Reay stated she would arrange for someone to provide further detail. Mr Nicolson also asked how the council was collaborating with neighbouring authorities on cross boundary measures for example to reduce car trips. Cllr Reay stated the council worked with others through the sub-national transport body, including on a range of strategies relating to transport matters, and also worked with the rail industry to bring forward investment to move more journeys from car to rail.

Group Leaders were then given the opportunity to comment on the report and proposal.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, thanked all those who had contributed to the extensive piece of work that was the LTP4. He noted that it was more of a strategy than a formal plan, but the name was a requirement. He stated it was not the role of the council to assess if journeys were essential or how people chose to make those journeys, but it needed a structure to work to provide infrastructure and choice wherever possible, and so the direction of travel went along with the need to reduce carbon emissions. He considered the Plan to be an evidence and thoughtful approach to achieving those goals without penalising motorists.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, thanked Mr Nicolson and the Wiltshire Climate Alliance for holding the council to account on this and other matters. He raised concerns that despite its large size the LTP4 may be aspirational rather than practical in terms of delivery. He expressed disappointment in the level of responses the council was able to encourage. Cllr Thorn stated he would support the proposal, though hoped there would be opportunity to make changes in the future, and that the delivery plans would be critical.

Cllr Ernie Clark, Leader of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30

      To receive a report from the Corporate Director, Place

Resolved:

1.    To approve the proposed amendments to the document, endorse the Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) (2025 – 2038) and recommend it for adoption by full Council.

2.    To delegate authority to the Director of Highways and Transport, in consultation with Director for Legal and Governance and the Cabinet Member for Transport and Assets, to make any necessary minor changes to the document before it is published.

3.    To note the feedback and comments received from the formal consultation.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure the Council continues to make progress in updating LTP4, aligned to Business Plan priorities and the Local Plan Review.

Cllr Tamara Reay, Cabinet member for Transport and Assets presented a report seeking approval for amendments to the Local Transport Plan 4 following public consultation, endorsement of the Plan 4 (2025-2038) and recommend it for adoption by Full Council.

Cllr Reay explained that the LTP4 is a statutory document covering the period from 2025 to 2038 setting out the Council’s strategic objectives and policies. The implementation and delivery of policies in the document will contribute to maximising opportunities and tackling the challenges currently facing Wiltshire. She highlighted the fact that Wiltshire is a rural county where many residents are reliant on their car for a range of essential journeys. As such, the transport network needed to be resilient, especially on key routes such as the A303, A36 and A350. The strategic routes providing vital links between towns and villages and improving them will provide benefits for all while boosting the economic prospects of the county.

Cabinet noted that in light of the national requirements and updated guidance on urgently reducing the impact and mitigating the effects of climate change, LTP4 shows a commitment from the Council to take action to deliver wide-ranging improvements for cleaner, healthier and safer transport across the county, a particular challenge in a rural county where many residents are reliant on the private car.

LTP4 has been developed to meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors, seeking to balance a range of competing and sometimes conflicting objectives, whilst at the same time remaining ambitious about the contribution transport in Wiltshire can make to national and regional objectives.

A public question was received for the meeting and this was included in the published agenda supplement together with written responses prior to this meeting.

Colin Gale commented further on accessibility at rail stations and on buses, and he was concerned about the Plan not being updated to scope this issue and identify corrective accessibility measures. He felt that the Plan could easily be updated scoping the access issues at each rail station, especially as the Plan already identified increased access provision for buses. Cllr Reay explained that the Council continued to engage with partner organisations and the Council would continue to consider the concerns raised with more detail be provided in the individual model Plans.

Cllr Graham Wright, Chairman of the Climate Emergency Task Group, reported that he was disappointed that the Task Group had not been invited to comment on the draft LTP4 prior to considering it on 14 November 2024.

Cllr Martin Smith commented on the Plan and was concerned about the lack of detail. Cllr Reay explained that the LTP4 encompassed the Core LTP4 Strategy which provided the strategic context, purpose, and direction of the Plan, three place-based sub-strategies; and four county-wide sub-strategies.

Cllr Jerry Kunkler, Chairman of the Environment Select Committee reported that the Select Committee and the Climate Emergency Task group received a briefing on the consultation responses on 20 February 2025. The Select Committee and Task Group members asked if there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37