Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport (copy enclosed) presenting the Draft Sustainable Transport Plan for Cabinet’s views prior to the forthcoming public engagement on the Plan in early 2023.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       notes the contents of the Draft Sustainable Transport Plan, included in Appendix A to the report;

(b)       notes that following the public engagement exercise, and any amendments that may result, the final version of the Sustainable Transport Plan would be presented to Cabinet for discussion and final approval in mid-2023, and

(c)        confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (attached at Appendix B to the report) as part of its consideration.

Councillor Barry Mellor presented the report seeking Cabinet’s views on the Draft Sustainable Transport Plan ahead of the forthcoming public engagement exercise on the Plan in early 2023.  The final version of the Plan would be presented to Cabinet for final approval in mid-2023.

Some background to the Plan was provided which had been developed by officers from different council services to reflect the cross-cutting nature of transport.  Reference was made to the council’s environmental aims and duties and the Plan included all transport related activities to encourage sustainable travel, both from the Climate and Ecological Change Programme and other projects/policies.  To align with the Wales Transport Strategy, “Llywbr Newydd”, the Plan had a 20-year vision and priorities for the next 5 years which would be succeeded by another set of priorities for the 5 years after that.  It was emphasised that actions contained within the Plan were not necessarily new, with much work having been undertaken over a number of years.  All those activities had been brought together in one accessible document for clarity and would also help to identify any potential gaps.

Cabinet welcomed the draft Plan and subsequent engagement exercise to provide an opportunity for stakeholders and the public to provide an input into the process.  An email had been received from Councillor Jon Harland suggesting minor revisions to the Plan, including the scope to revisit ‘Walking Buses’ to also include ‘Cycling Buses’ to encourage more learners to walk and cycle to school, and to deliver safe routes to schools to facilitate active travel.  Councillor Gill Greenland highlighted work currently ongoing with schools including cycle proficiency and links to traffic/parking and making schools safe places, and she would also be taking those issues up as the relevant lead member.  The Traffic, Parking and Road Safety Manager confirmed the inclusion of cycling buses could be taken forward as part of the feasibility work and acknowledged the importance of safe routes to school to encourage greener travel.  There was some debate on the merits of ‘Walking Buses’ and the importance of buy-in from parents and those facilitating the scheme for it to be successful.  Councillor Julie Matthews highlighted issues raised by some residents with no off street parking space available for charging a vehicle and she was pleased to note reference in the Plan for developing that provision.

The Traffic, Parking and Road Safety Manager responded to further questions regarding the importance of the Plan for promoting economic growth and confirmed that the Confederation of British Industry and Federation of Small Businesses would be included in the stakeholder engagement on the Plan.  With regard to Welsh Government’s proposals for a 20mph speed limit, the aims included road safety and encouragement of sustainable travel choices.  A report on the 20mph speed limit would be considered by Communities Scrutiny Committee on 8 December 2022.

The Leader reiterated that the Plan was currently in draft and encouraged full participation in the engagement process ahead of a final Plan for approval mid-2023.  He was pleased to note Councillor Harland’s points would be taken forward.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       notes the contents of the Draft Sustainable Transport Plan, included in Appendix A to the report;

(b)       notes that following the public engagement exercise, and any amendments that may result, the final version of the Sustainable Transport Plan would be presented to Cabinet for discussion and final approval in mid-2023, and

(c)        confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (attached at Appendix B to the report) as part of its consideration.