Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
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Agenda Item 6 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council The Cabinet 13th July 2005 The 2005 Provisional West Midlands Local Transport Plan (LTP) (Cabinet Forward Plan Ref No. RT001 (ET058)) 1. Summary Statement 1.1 This report asks Members to approve the 2005 Local Transport Plan (LTP) submission and the revised funding programme for West Midlands transport initiatives for the period to 2011. 1.2 The seven West Midlands metropolitan authorities and Centro work together in producing a joint LTP. The document, sets out transport policies, programmes and a bid for funding major transport schemes to make the transport network safer, more efficient, more socially inclusive, sustainable, and a greater aid to economic regeneration. 1.3 We are submitting a new LTP in July this year. The final Guidance for this was only published in December 2004. This new Guidance, outline below, introduced a two stage approach. A full, provisional document needs to be submitted in July, with a final document taking into account issues such as the output from detailed accessibility planning and proposed funding levels to be submitted by March 2006. 1.4 Previously it had been agreed that this LTP should essentially be a roll forward of the 2003 LTP, reflecting the Secretary of States response to West Midlands Multi Model Study (WMAMMS) which reported in 2002. That response committed up to £1,000M for major schemes, subject to the West Midlands LTP partners putting in place a robust transport strategy. While the LTP has been in preparation the Metropolitan Authority Leaders have been pursing an engagement process with the Department for Transport (DfT) led by Robert Devereux the Director General of the DfT. 1.5 This LTP follows on from the 2003 LTP and is a refinement and re- affirmation of what is needed to keep our area moving and focuses closely on the ‘Transport Shared Priorities’ agreed with Government of Tackling congestion; Delivering improved accessibility; Improving road safety; and Producing better air quality. 1.6 The LTP vision for the future in the West Midlands is one of; • A thriving, sustainable and vibrant community were people want to live and where businesses can develop and grow. • Town, city and local centres that are attractive and vibrant where high quality public transport is the norm and walking and cycling is commonplace. • Cleaner air and less congested traffic conditions. • A safer community with fewer road accidents and environments in which people feel secure. • Equal opportunities for everyone to gain access to services and facilities and enjoy a better quality of life with travel choices that are attractive, viable and sustainable. This vision is strongly linked to a number of our Council Corporate priorities. 1.7 In addition the objectives of the LTP are • To ensure that the transport system underpins the economic revitalisation of the West Midlands. • To ensure that transport contributes towards social inclusion by increasing accessibility for everyone. • To move towards a more sustainable pattern of development and growth. • To improve safety and health for all. • To integrate all forms of transport with each other, with other land uses and with other policies and priorities. 1.8 In preparing the 2003 LTP there was an extensive consultation with the public and local stakeholders. This involvement has continued in the preparation of this new 2005 LTP. There has been a continued dialogue with the local business community, bus and rail operators, and with the Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP’s). The LSP’s have raised local issues and these have helped to form the development of the LTP strategy. In addition there has been further consultation with the public to ensure that the general direction of the 2003 LTP is still supported. A consultation leaflet and questionnaire was distributed in free newspapers across the West Midlands. There was strong support for better rail and bus services, greater priority to walking, more encouragement of safer motoring, and of spending more on highway maintenance for the benefit of all road users. 1.9 The document contains a considerable number of pages. In the interests of sustainability and for practical reasons, therefore, the document has not been included with this report. A copy has been deposited in the Members Lounge for Members to consult. Alternatively, copies can be supplied on request to the Democratic Services Unit (contact Mike Keay – 0121 - 569 3184) or it can be viewed by members and the public on the Council’s Committee Management Information System (CMIS) by logging onto the Council’s website www.sandwell.gov.uk. 1.10 As part of the Governments response to WMAMMS, £I billion was pledged to the West Midlands subject to schemes being based on a sound transportation strategy. The 2003 LTP provided that foundation and the overall direction remains the same and so the main issues addressed by the 2005 LTP include: • Expansion of the Midland Metro network • Bus improvements • A network of ‘red routes’ to keep traffic on main roads moving • Enhanced walking and cycling facilities • More funding for carriageway and bridge maintenance The LTP provides funding for a whole range of capital transport projects, from multi-million pound bypasses to audible signals at pelican crossings for the benefit of blind people. LTP spending can therefore impact on the lives of all Sandwell residents in some way. Recent achievements include major scheme commencement in Cradley Heath and Blackheath, extensive safety and traffic calming schemes, walking and cycling schemes, bus showcase route enhancements, and maintenance schemes on our highways and bridges. 1.11 The LTP includes a revised bus strategy and a statement on demand management. 1.12 The Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling, has indicated that he wishes to examine the potential benefits of introducing a system of road pricing as a long-term measure to tackle growing congestion. He has initiated a debate on such a proposal and indicated that a pilot be undertaken, probably in a major conurbation or region. 1.13 The West Midlands conurbation is determined to deal with congestion. The provisional LTP marks the start of a process of research, debate and consultation that is designed to lead to effective solutions to congestion. Since late 2004 the conurbation has been working with DfT on ways in which innovative approaches to demand management in the West Midlands could be progressed. Solutions that are right for the conurbation and enable the West Midlands to meet its aspirations for future growth and regeneration will be sought. 1.14 There are many approaches to dealing with congestion, with the cordon system of charging used in London just one way of approaching the problem and there are many alternatives, for example : • Targeting of peak time travel behaviours • Electronic road pricing by locality and time of day • Home working and variable workplace hours • Parking standards 1.15 The conurbation is clear that no form of road pricing could be introduced unless certain conditions are in place in particular • Any schemes must improve and not detract from the regions competitiveness • Appropriate transport alternatives must be significantly funded and coming on stream to provide choice. • The factors affecting the conurbations ability to deliver quality bus services must be addressed. • There must be discussions about possible ways of providing a dedicated revenue stream for reinvestment in transport in the West Midlands • The innovation and knowledge of the West Midlands should be fully utilised in taking any initiatives forward. 1.16 Any solutions must also • Take account of any national road-pricing scheme and the West Midlands position at the heart of the country’s motorway network. • Be responsive to specific local conditions in the conurbation both in terms of location and time of day • Be integrated with the overall transport strategy for the conurbation • Be consistent with the conurbations economic growth, regeneration and social inclusion strategies and align with regional transport strategies 1.17 Discussions with the DfT are to be initiated to determine ways in which innovative approaches to demand management, that reflect the particular circumstances of the West Midlands, can be advanced. These will pave the way for further work, utilizing funding available from the Transport innovation Fund, to determine the applicability of different approaches to the West Midland. Further details are attached for your information 2. Recommendations 2.1 That the Council be recommended to: (a) Approve the 2005 West Midlands Local Transport Plan; (b) Authorise the Leader of the Council to agree any final changes to the Local Transport Plan in consultation with the Leaders of the other West Midlands Councils. Robert A Lee Director of Planning and Transportation Contact Officer John Hawkins Planning and Transportation, 0121 569 4221 The 2005 Local Transport Plan (LTP) 3. Strategic Resource Implications 3.1 The 2005 LTP is an agreed programme for spending Central Government funding on transport schemes within the area covered by the seven West Midlands metropolitan authorities. 4. Legal and Statutory Implications 4.1 It is a statutory requirement for most Local authorities to produce a Local Transport Plan. The 2005 LTP is prepared and submitted on behalf of the seven West Midlands metropolitan authorities and Centro. It sets out the targets and objectives that we aim to achieve over the next five-year period up to 2011. 5. Implications for the Council’s Corporate Priorities 5.1 The LTP has strategies and programmes that will help to transform the physical environment and help to make the borough safer, cleaner and tidier. 8. Background Details 8.1 The West Midlands Metropolitan Authorities are required to work together to submit a Local Transport Plan (LTP) which contains policies relating to the promotion of safe, socially inclusive, integrated, efficient and economic transport services.