Agenda item

  Report by Parvis Khansari - Associate Director, Highways and Transport

Cllr John Thomson, Cabinet Member for Highways and Streetscene and Broadband presented a report which sought Cabinet’s approval of four sub-documents of the Wiltshire Local Transport Plan (LTP3) 2011-2026:  Accessibility Strategy, Cycling Strategy, Powered Two-Wheeler Strategy and Smarter Choices Strategy and to note the forthcoming development of the outstanding sub-documents of the LTP3.

The Transport Act 2000 made it a statutory requirement for local authorities to produce LTPs. The four strategies presented were to promote cycling, walking and other alternate methods of transport, and if approved would be presented to Council for adoption.

The LTP3  document presented had been prepared following wide ranging consultation, taking into account environmental, economic and social considerations to ensure that it met the requirements of the Department for Transport’s guidance and helps support local objectives. Details of the  consultation responses were presented. Cllr Thomson guided Cabinet through the key points of the document and answered members’ questions.

Cllr Thomson confirmed that the Wheels to Work scheme was still being run by Community First. The results of a recent Council staff travel survey were being analysed with a view to introducing appropriate measures.

Cllr Prickett highlighted the impact that the removal of the 264 bus service  would have on North Bradley residents. This would leave residents with one service, the 265 for which the bus stop was some distance away without shelter. Cllr Thomson welcomed further information on this, but explained the difficulties of trying to influence commercial routes rather than those funded or part funded by the Council. He also suggested that Area Board and  Community Area Transport Group be explored as possible sources of funding for issues such as the provision of bus shelters.

Cllr Jenkins welcomed the cycling strategy, and asked if the Council planned to provide more bike racks. Area Board funding was seen as a mechanism for such provision.

Cllr Hubbard enquired as to when an audit of charge points would be undertaken to include their location and accessibility. He noted that whilst there was one at the County Hall car park, it was not in a public area. He also asked how many car clubs were in existence and how they were being publicised to increase take-up. Cllr Hubbard raised the issue of residential travel plans and highlighted the increase in density on new developments with inadequate parking and asked what criteria, such as parking spaces per property, and off-street parking opportunities were asked for to minimise parking on pavements.

Cllr Thomson explained the implementation plan would explain how car clubs would be supported and written answers would be provided for his two other questions.

Cllr Kunkler suggested that permissions granted for car ports could reduce

on-street parking. Cllr Clewer suggested that residential travel plans for new developments should be shared with those moving into the area.

The Leader explained that the LTP3 was mainly about sustainability. She drew attention to the car parking review currently being undertaken and highlighted that whilst car parking charges was a contentious issue, it was a fact that they funded a number of sustainable transport measures.

Cllr Simon Killane explained that the neighbourhood planning process could be a way for communities to engage in the transport planning process and integrate with the Council’s policies.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

a)            approves the Wiltshire Local Transport Plan (LTP3) 2011 – 2026: Accessibility, Cycling, Powered Two Wheeler and Smarter Choices strategies and recommends adoption by the Council at its meeting on 4 February 2014;

b)           notes that further LTP3 theme strategies and area strategies, and implementation plans are planned to be developed and

c)            delegates authority to the Associate Director for Highways and Transport to finalise the document for publication by 31March 2014.

Reason for decision:

To ensure the timely publication of a statutory document.