17 March 2016 Lancashire County
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REPORT FROM: NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES MANAGER TO: EXECUTIVE DATE: 17 MARCH 2016 Report Author: Peter Atkinson Tel. No: 661063 E-mail: [email protected] LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL EAST LANCASHIRE HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT MASTERPLAN: UPDATE AND EAST-WEST TRANSPORT CONNECTIVITY DEVELOPMENTS PURPOSE OF REPORT To update members on the latest position regarding the various elements of the Masterplan and to suggest that a meeting be held with Lancashire County Council and authorities in North Yorkshire. RECOMMENDATIONS (1) That the report be noted. (2) That a member-level meeting be sought between Pendle Borough Council, Craven District Council, Lancashire County Council and North Yorkshire County Council, principally to consider trans-pennine connectivity issues. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS (1) To ensure that Pendle’s aspirations are met as far as possible regarding the East Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan. (2) To consider the “bigger picture” trans-pennine transport issues. BACKGROUND 1. A report was submitted to the Executive on 14 November 2013. 2. The relevant minute reads: “The Head of Central and Regeneration Services submitted a report advising of the County Council’s consultation on the draft East Lancashire Transport Masterplan. The Masterplan was subject to a six-week public consultation exercise which would close on 6 December, 2013. It set out various options for a future transport strategy for Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale to 2026 and beyond. The consultation document covered three strands: Connecting East Lancashire Travel in East Lancashire Local Travel The key areas for consideration within Pendle focused around the Colne and Skipton Railway Line and the A56 Colne to Foulridge Bypass. The County Council had acknowledged that Colne was relatively isolated on the rail network. Therefore, the Masterplan indicated that the County Council would commission a Rail Connectivity Study with a particular focus on enhancing connectivity between East Lancashire and Manchester. With regard to the A56 Colne to Foulridge Bypass the outcome of a study to see whether a bypass was still the most appropriate solution to the traffic problems in Colne was attached to the consultation. The County Council had indicated that their preferred option was the “Brown Option”. It was acknowledged that further work was required to develop this option and take it forward as part of the Major Transport Schemes Programme. RESOLVED (1) That the draft East Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan issued for consultation by Lancashire County Council be noted. (2) That the draft response to the questionnaire on the Masterplan, as shown at Appendix A attached to the report, be endorsed. (3) That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, be granted delegated authority to agree a detailed response, subject to the response being circulated to Members of the Executive, before submission to the County Council on the issues for Pendle. (4) That Council be recommended to endorse the County Council’s preferred option (the “Brown Route”) for the Colne to Foulridge Bypass as the Council’s preferred option. REASON To ensure that the Council’s views on the East Lancashire Transport Masterplan are submitted as part of the current consultation exercise.” 3. The letter at Appendix 1 was sent to the County Council. 4. An update report (which was noted by the Executive) was submitted to the 20 August 2015 meeting. 5. Further updates are set out below. COLNE TRAFFIC STUDY AND COLNE TO FOULRIDGE BYPASS 6. The County Council’s Stakeholder Briefing (July 2015) is at Appendix 2. (Please note the link to the full Jacob’s report.) 7. As reported in August, the next steps for the County Council are: to complete the North Valley Route Management Strategy (NVRMS); to convene a series of Options Workshops for stakeholders; to develop a detailed traffic model for Colne and environs; and to reassess the case for the Colne to Foulridge Bypass or other bypass options. 8. The current NVRMS (which is being developed) is at Appendix 3. 2 9. The County Council has £1.7m in its capital programme for these projects. HYNDBURN/BURNLEY/PENDLE M65 GROWTH CORRIDOR 10. Appendix 4 is Lancashire County Council’s Stakeholder Briefing Note for M65 Junction 12. 11. These works are now nearing completion. (NB: This project includes upgrading the old traffic signal installation in the centre of Brierfield. This will be done as part of the public realm works (see below).) 12. Appendix 5 is the Lancashire County Council Stakeholder Briefing Note (and plan) forM65 Junction 13. These works have just commenced. (NB: This is essentially Phase 1 of the scheme – the northern (busiest) roundabout. Phase 2 (the southern roundabout) will follow when funds permit.) PUBLIC REALM WORKS IN BRIERFIELD 13. As part of the Growth Corridor programme, £500,000 has been set aside for “Sustainable Transport Links” across the three boroughs. 14. Following an appraisal and cost-benefit exercise, £250,000 has been allocated to Burnley town centre and £250,000 to Brierfield town centre (which is in effect the public transport gateway to Northlight). 15. County Council and Pendle officers are discussing options at present. It is hoped that a scheme can cover Colne Road (from Railway Street to Bridge Street) and Bridge Street itself. High quality surface materials will be used to complement the improvement works carried out recently on Burnley Road, Railway Street and Sackville Street. The works are scheduled to commence in August 2016. 16. Network Rail owns the bridge over the railway between Bridge Street and Glen Way and has been approached about its refurbishment. EAST LANCASHIRE ACCESSIBILITY STUDY 17. This is still ongoing but progress is somewhat slow. The study will focus on travel between the main towns and employment areas, but will include travel to education and for leisure. It will also consider how public transport can best serve rural and remote areas of East Lancashire. In line with future funding requirements, the study will focus on where the greatest benefits can be achieved by enhancing accessibility. Particular questions to be answered by the study include: How can public transport best benefit from a potential Colne to Foulridge Bypass? Is there merit to a bus scheme that would provide links around Burnley and Pendle districts in a way similar to Pennine Reach and that would link into both Pennine Reach and the Witch Way? How can Community Transport best evolve to meet the diverse transport needs of East Lancashire? 3 What benefit would improving Burnley Rose Grove rail station and the interchange with Manchester Road bring? Colne bus station is not considered fit for purpose and the railway station is distant to it and very basic. If rail services improved to Colne, what would be needed to support interchange? Are improvements needed to other major bus facilities? Again, if rail services are enhanced, what could be done to improve rail station viability across East Lancashire and the links to bus and cycle networks? Is there any need for extra rail stations? What is the best way for public transport to support the rural economy and the residents of and visitors to our rural areas? Are there alternatives to traditional public transport for rural areas? Similarly, how do we best serve our remote towns and villages? 18. The study has now effectively turned into three strands of work: a community transport review; a review of countywide accessibility; and a review of bus subsidisation. SUBSIDISED BUS SERVICES IN PENDLE 19. Councillors will be well aware of the County Council’s savings decision to cease the subsidy of bus services with effect from 1 April 2016 or as soon as practicable following the service of notices. This will impact on 113 bus route services across Lancashire with the possible termination of these routes by operators. Ten routes in Pendle are affected. 20. LCC is currently consulting with community transport operators and town and parish councils to determine the most effective and efficient transport solutions for local communities in need. 21. LCC has established a Cabinet Working Group on Buses to recommend where a reduced budget could be used to try to maintain services in areas where there is likely to be a significant need. 22. At the time this report was drafted, the latest information was that the following services (in addition to the Barnoldswick town circular) will be saved, albeit with some amendments: 7 (Clitheroe–Waddington–Chatburn–Nelson); 65 (Nelson–Fence–Higham–Padiham–Burnley); 95 (Burnley–Nelson–Colne–Boundary Mill); and 180/X80 (Skipton–Barnoldswick–Gisburn–Clitheroe–Whalley–Preston). NB: There will be some new numbered services for Carr Hall, Nelson, and Chatburn Park Drive, Brierfield. 4 23. These cuts may have a very minor impact in Pendle on the transfer of bus passenger shelters to town and parish councils. CYCLING 24. The Masterplan states: “Cycling in particular has the potential to offer options for the short journeys but also for longer journeys to work and education and for leisure. In general, cycling is an option for journey times of less than 30 minutes. The geography and weather of East Lancashire may not make cycling such an obvious choice as in flatter, drier areas, but cycling is cheap and convenient. There is also the advantage that the facilities provided for commuters to cycle will be used by leisure cyclists looking to improve their health. Although there is a lot of work being done to improve and extend cycling facilities, the cycling network in East Lancashire is far from complete and does not provide adequate links between housing, towns and employment. It also doesn't necessarily give good access to visitors. Short journeys in the local community, to school, to the shops or just to enjoy being out and about, are key to local economies and to health and well-being.