Agenda Item No. 6 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Report to the Cabinet Member for Sandwell Direct 15th November 2002 Moving forward of Transport Vision 2020 (Forward Plan Ref. No. SD021) 1. Summary Statement 1.1 The development of the draft Transport Vision 2020 recognised the rapid pace of change and the need to assess the future transport needs of the Borough. It is important to do this now so that proposals can be taken forward, funded and implemented to fit with and complement the other agendas being pursued for the Borough. 1.2 The Draft Transport Vision was approved for consultation on 23rd October, 2001. This has now been completed and this report moves the Transport Vision forward and seeks approval to the submission of future Local Transport Plan (LTP) programmes. 1.3 In order to assist the consultation an executive summary was produced and distributed. The responses received are reproduced in the Appendices attached to this report. 1.4 Overall the consultation exercise, in common with recent wider West Midlands consultations, showed little or no support for extensive road building as a solution to the conurbations transport problems. There is broad support for promoting walking, cycling and public transport as the core of the Council’s policy. The issues raised in the Draft Vision were seen to be relevant and the proposals identified were generally supported. Many responses wanted improvements in a short timescale and sought to pursue major changes rather than small improvements. 1.5 It is clear from the comments made during the consultation that managing and maintaining the existing transport network is very important. Making the best use of what we have in a cost effective way is a clear priority for the Council. Where necessary improvements to improve traffic flows, assist regeneration and allow access for walking, cycling and public transport should be pursued. Selective road building should only be pursued when all other solutions have been considered and careful analysis of the effects of new highway capacity in inducing additional car traffic have been examined. 1.6 The existing Local Transport Plan (LTP) commitments need to be taken into account when considering the way forward for the Vision. Schemes already committed in the approved 2000 West Midlands Local Transport Plan have funding streams to allow their completion in a programme concluding with the opening of the scheme for Owen Street in 2006/7. These named schemes in Sandwell already committed are: Cradley Heath Town Centre Regeneration Scheme, Blackheath Town Centre Strategy, Owen Street, Wednesbury Bus Station, Bus Showcase schemes on Routes 404 (Walsall- Blackheath), 139 (Birmingham-Pensnett), 311 (Stourbridge-Walsall), 51 (Walsall-Perry Barr), 11 (Outer Circle serving Bearwood) and Route 9 along the Hagley Road serving Bearwood and Quinton. Also Centro and the Council are committed to delivering the Midland Metro extension, Wednesbury/Brierley Hill. In addition schemes for local safety improvements, cycling, walking, safe routes to school, travel demand and management, bridges, and safe and healthy communities have also been funded over the next 3 years. 1.7 It is suggested that the schemes supported through the consultation could be taken forward as follows: - A4100 Improvements for submission in 2003 LTP. - A461 Burnt Tree-Black Country New Road through the West Midlands Red Routes Programme in 2003 LTP. - All Saints/Expressway/Carters Green Improvements in 2003 LTP. - Great Bridge Islands in the new 2005 LTP. - Soho Way/Soho Street in the new 2005 LTP. - Future Bus Showcase schemes as outlined in Centro’s 20yr Strategy and to be implemented from 2005 to 2011are Route 451(West Bromwich to Sutton Coldfield), Route 74(Dudley to Birmingham via West Bromwich), Route 126(Bearwood to Wolverhampton) and Route 87(Dudley to Birmingham via Smethwick). - In partnership with Centro and through the LTP progress on the Midland Metro network with possible future routes for 2008/2010 along Hagley Road with a spur to Oldbury, A34 through Scott Arms to M6 Junction 7 and an extension Wednesbury to Wolverhampton via Darlaston and Walsall. 1.8 Schemes have been supported through the consultation and following initial assessment of the highway network which require further feasibility work to be undertaken to identify the nature, extent and prioritisation of improvement schemes. The scale of work required may well require Major Scheme bids, greater than £5m, to be developed for the 2005 LTP. These schemes are: Great Bridge Islands A461 Burnt Tree 1.9 The schemes already outlined above and the proposals contained in the Moving with the Times initiative to increase funding for Minor Schemes, Walking and Cycling would suggest that at least a £6m a year LTP Settlement Programme would be required, excluding major schemes and Bus Showcase. At present the Programme in the 2000 LTP is £4m. Such an increase would require additional staff and consultant resources to ensure its successful implementation. Further details are attached for your information 2. Recommendations 2.1 That the consultation response to the Draft Transport Vision 2020 be noted. 2.2 That a ‘Moving the Transport Vision’ document be published. 2.3 That the Vision be taken forward through planning policy, the Moving with the Times transport initiative and the discussions on the Local Transport Plan submission for 2003. 2.4 That the following schemes form the basis of the future Local Transport Plans and be programmed to enable their implementation at the earliest opportunity commencing with the 2003 submission:- (a) Schemes already committed in the approved 2000 West Midlands Local Transport Plan: Cradley Heath Town Centre Regeneration Scheme, Blackheath Town Centre Strategy, Owen Street, Wednesbury Bus Station, Bus Showcase schemes on Routes 404 (Walsall- Blackheath), 139 (Birmingham-Pensnett), 311 (Stourbridge- Walsall), 51 (Walsall-Perry Barr), 11 (Outer Circle serving Bearwood) and Route 9 along the Hagley Road serving Bearwood and Quinton. Commitment to delivery of the Midland Metro extension Wednesbury/Brierley Hill; Schemes for local safety improvements, cycling, walking, safe routes to school, travel demand and management, bridges, and safe and healthy communities; (b) schemes supported through the consultation could be taken forward as follows: - A4100 Improvements for submission in 2003 LTP; - A461 Burnt Tree-Black Country New Road through the West Midlands Red Routes Programme in 2003 LTP; - All Saints/Expressway/Carters Green Improvements in 2003 LTP; - Great Bridge Islands in the new 2005 LTP; - Soho Way/Soho Street in the new 2005 LTP; - Future Bus Showcase schemes as outlined in Centro’s 20yr Strategy and to be implemented from 2005 to 2011 are Route 451(West Bromwich to Sutton Coldfield), Route 74(Dudley to Birmingham via West Bromwich), Route 126(Bearwood to Wolverhampton) and Route 87(Dudley to Birmingham via Smethwick); - In partnership with Centro and through the LTP progress on the Midland Metro network with possible future routes for 2008/2010 along Hagley Road with a spur to Oldbury, A34 through Scott Arms to M6 Junction 7 and an extension Wednesbury to Wolverhampton via Darlaston and Walsall; (c) Scheme bids, greater than £5m, to be developed for the 2005 LTP: Great Bridge Islands; A461 Burnt Tree. In accordance with the authority delegated to the Cabinet Member for Sandwell Direct, the following course of action has been agreed, which will be formally recorded in the minutes of this meeting: (1) approval be given to the recommendations above (as amended) (2) approval be given to the above recommendations (as amended) and that they be submitted to Cabinet for consideration (3) the above recommendations be not approved for the reasons given in the minutes of the meeting _________________________________ Cabinet Member for Sandwell Direct Date. 15th November 2002 Robert A Lee Head of Planning and Development Services Contact Officer John McIlroy Transportation Planning Group 0121 569 4021 Moving forward of Transport Vision 2020 3. Resource Implications 3.1 This report will lead the submission of a new transport programme for funding under the West Midlands Local Transport Plan Other funding may be required for some schemes and partnerships with others will be sought. 3.2 In order to implement the step change in funding arising out of the West Midlands Multi-Modal Study and the resulting Moving with the Times Initiative, extra staff and consultant resources will be required. These will have to be bid for if the recommendations in this report are accepted. 4. Policy Implications 4.1 The development of a new Transport Vision accords with Council Policy. It builds on the policies and proposals contained in the Revised Deposit Unitary Development Plan. 4.2 The draft Transport Vision 2020 identified a way forward in developing the transport agenda and possible schemes across Sandwell. The results of the consultation are contained in this report and the recommendations seek to take forward the important issues raised and develop a programme of schemes for inclusion in the next West Midlands Local Transport Plan. 4.3 The schemes brought forward by the draft Transport Vision 2020 support the regeneration initiatives being pursued in Sandwell and assist in remodelling the urban form and providing a sustainable, improved environment. 5. Crime and Disorder Implications 5.1 The implementation of the schemes identified in the Transport Vision will seek to create a safer environment for travelling in Sandwell and will address crime and disorder issues. 6. Sustainability Implications 6.1 The Transport Vision emphasises the importance of improving the provision of sustainable integrated transport network, providing particularly for walking, public transport and cycling. It has been developed in the context of the Council’s sustainability agenda and the transport policies and proposals contained in the Revised Deposit Unitary Development Plan. 7. Implications for Young People 7.1 The Transport Vision looks at the problems that exist in the existing transport provision within Sandwell and identifies proposals which will be taken forward to improve transport for all.