In the interests of transparency, Councillor Warnes disclosed that he was a cyclist (minute 32).

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(Jane Lythgow/Tracey Sugden – 01274 432270/434287)

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents.

Members are advised that Bradford’s first Cycle Strategy was produced in 2012 and endorsed by this Committee. Since 2012 there have been a number of changes relating to boosted regional cycling development ambitions (post Tour de France) and corresponding changes in both regional strategic guidance and increases in cycling related funding.

In the light of these changes the partnership behind the original strategy (local cycling community, key cycling charities and the Council) have undertaken to update and improve the Cycle Strategy.

The Committee is asked to consider Document “M” which presents the improved format of the Cycle Strategy and associated Action Plan. Also presented with the report is the proposed cycling reporting structure for future reporting to the Committee.

Recommended –

(1)  That the Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee consider and comment on the Bradford District Cycling Strategy and Action Plan.

(2)  That a further report be presented to this Committee in 12 months on progress against the delivery of the strategy as well as projects within the Action Plan.

(Tom Jones – 01274 434983)

Members were advised that Bradford’s first Cycle Strategy had been produced in 2012 and endorsed by this Committee. Since 2012 there had been a number of changes relating to boosted regional cycling development ambitions (post Tour de France) and corresponding changes in both regional strategic guidance and increases in cycling related funding.

In the light of these changes the partnership behind the original strategy (local cycling community, key cycling charities and the Council) had undertaken to update and improve the Cycle Strategy.

The Committee was asked to consider Document “M” which presented the improved format of the Cycle Strategy and associated Action Plan. Also presented with the report was the proposed structure for future reporting to the Committee.

The Assistant Transport Planner gave a detailed presentation in respect of the report, stressing the significant changes which had taken place around cycling since 2012 and the ongoing efforts of all key stakeholders to increase cycling in the District.

Members were also advised that the strategy reflected the West Yorkshire Transport Plan and that it dovetailed with other plans in Bradford to increase participation in running, swimming and walking and that, therefore the strategy covered cycling in its fullest sense, not just in respect of transport planning.

The Chair commended the report as positive, ambitious and wide ranging and considered both the strategy and the action plan to be excellent. He asked how the Council was responding for the growing demand for cycling and was advised that the Council has moved forward in the past 3-4 years and was now achieving some of the best infrastructure in the Country. There were significant challenges to be faced in terms of finance but the situation was very positive.

Another Member commented that this report represented an excellent improvement on the previous strategy. He also asked about progress on the parts of the Shipley-Leeds canal towpath within the District. He was informed that options were being explored and a clearer picture should be available in the next quarter but that planning for work on the towpath to date had been undertaken on the base of usage. Advice on future work was being sought from the City Connect Programme.

A Member queried how work with schools would progress in order to address issues such as child health. He was advised that work was currently predominantly undertaken with primary schools as training programmes such as “Bikeability” tended to focus on that age group and that statistics were collected in year six. However, Bikeability could also run in secondary schools and officers were looking to do more in this phase of school. The intention was to encourage cycling as a life choice on the basis of usefulness, speed and convenience.

Members concurred that secondary schools needed to be encouraged as much as possible and hoped to see more reporting on this element.

Members also noted that the Cycle Cities event would take place in May 2017 and considered that making the strategy a Council document would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

The Strategic Director (Regeneration) will present a report (Document “P”) which updates the Committee on West Yorkshire Combined Authority activities in relation to developing and delivering the projects of the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund (WY+TF), with specific focus on the Bradford elements of the programme and examines the implications of a recent review of project delivery across West Yorkshire by the Combined Authority.

Recommended –

(1)  That progress on the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund be noted and feedback to officers be provided by the Committee.

(2)  That a further report on the progress of the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund be presented to this Committee in Autumn 2017.

(Richard Gelder – 01274 437603)

The Strategic Director (Regeneration) presented a report (Document “P”) which updated the Committee on West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) activities in relation to developing and delivering the projects of the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund (WY+TF), with specific focus on the Bradford elements of the programme and examined the implications of a recent review of project delivery across West Yorkshire by the Combined Authority.

The Assistant Director, Regeneration gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation in respect of the report, highlighting investments in road and rail across the District.

The Chair stated that the proposals were very exciting and wished the Assistant Director every success, however he questioned how deliverable the projects were given the very tight timescales involved. In response, he was advised that the success of the compulsory purchases necessary for the projects would be key and that, therefore, this was the biggest area of risk. If the relevant deadlines were not met the indicative funding would return to the WYCA to be reallocated.

A co-opted member queried whether segregated bike lanes could be included and was informed that while cycling facilities were being included, segregated bike lanes were more problematic as they required additional land to be set aside.

A Member queried whether there would be an impact on future applications if the current projects were not successful and was informed that the WY+TF had been organised differently than other projects that the Council was involved in as all five West Yorkshire Districts had worked together to support each other to ensure that projects were successful.

Members then questioned officers in respect of future funding are were informed that the element in respect of public transport was to be reviewed. A discussion on public transport and particularly rail transport then took place, with Members being advised that it was intended to have a through line with a tunnel solution for the HS3 interface and local rail services. It was not intended to join up the two stations in Bradford. The initial goal being aimed for was an increase to speeds on the Caldervale Line to a City to City standard which would open up employment opportunities further afield for local people and the ultimate goal would be electrification. An important part of the plans was to increase the amount of freight carried by rail.

The Chair concluded debate by requesting that the projections on increased traffic be emailed to him.

Resolved –

(1)  That the progress on the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund and the feedback provided by Members at this meeting be noted.

(2)  That a further report on the progress of the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund be presented to this Committee in Autumn 2017.

Action: Strategic Director (Regeneration)

The Strategic Director (Regeneration) will present a report (Document “N”) which provides information about the Council’s performance against the Transport and Highways indicators and targets set out in the 2015/16 Corporate Indicator Set and supporting Transport and Highways performance management indicators.

Recommended –

That this Committee note the current position in regard to the Council’s Corporate and Supporting Indicators and Targets related to Transportation and Highways issues.

(Richard Gelder – 01274 437603)

The Strategic Director (Regeneration) presented a report (Document “N”) which provided information about the Council’s performance against the Transport and Highways indicators and targets set out in the 2015/16 Corporate Indicator Set and supporting Transport and Highways performance management indicators.

The Chair stressed how much he appreciated the efforts of the team in an environment of decreasing resources. He queried whether the carbon reduction target could be met, given the gravity of the data provided and was advised that a package of measures was in place to meet the target. A significant challenge was the low cost of fuel and parking set against the high cost of travelling by public transport, which encouraged people to use their cars.

Members commented that public transport must be managed to ensure people could travel to their employment and that this would require a County wide approach. They noted that over the last decade the transport infrastructure had shrunk to concentrate on city centres only and that the links which went around urban centres must be reconsidered. The Strategic Director undertook to email information in respect of the Bus Services Bill that was currently before Parliament.  

Resolved –

(1)  That the current position in regard to the Council’s Corporate and Supporting Indicators and Targets related to Transportation and Highways issues be noted.

(2)  That a further progress report be presented in 12 months time.

(Richard Gelder – 01274 437603)

Document “O” outlines progress made in delivering the third West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) during its fifth year of operation, with specific focus on the Bradford elements of the Plan and arrangements for the development and initial delivery of the Single Local Transport Plan.

Recommended –

(1)  That progress on the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan 3 be noted and feedback to officers be provided by the Committee.

(2)  That a further report on the progress of the final year of the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan 3, Implementation Plan 2 be submitted to this Committee in Autumn/Winter 2017.

(Richard Gelder – 01274 437603)

Document “O” outlined progress made in delivering the third West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) during its fifth year of operation, with specific focus on the Bradford elements of the Plan and arrangements for the development and initial delivery of the Single Local Transport Plan.

The Strategic Director (Regeneration) made a presentation in respect of the report, highlighting Low Moor Station as a unique scheme that would be opening in 2017. He also stated that resources had been under particular pressure due to the Boxing Day floods in the District.

In response to questions from Members, he confirmed that the Council had a travel plan in place and that a further report would be presented to the Committee in the future in respect of air quality issues. He also advised that the reference to eight charging points in the Action Plan was merely to complete the roll out of charging points across the District. The current Planning Policy also required that charging points were installed in all new developments. Members requested that information in respect of charging points be included on the Council app.       

Resolved –

(1)  That the progress on the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan 3 and the feedback provided by Members at this meeting be noted.

(2)  That a further report on the progress of the final year of the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan 3, Implementation Plan 2 be submitted to this Committee in Autumn/Winter 2017.

(Richard Gelder – 01274 437603)

Document “Q” presents the Committee’s work programme 2016-17.

Recommended –

That Members consider and comment on the areas of work included in the 2016-17 work programme for the Committee.

That Members consider any detailed scrutiny reviews that they may wish to conduct.

That the work programme 2016-17 continues to be reviewed regularly during the year.

(Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)

Document “Q” presented the Committee’s work programme 2016-17.

No resolution was passed in respect of this item.