The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “E”) updates the Committee on the outcome of the delivery programme for the Highways and Transportation teams’ capital work programmes during the 2019/20 financial year.

Recommended –

That progress on the transport programmes across both the programmes described in this report be noted.

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The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “E”) was submitted to the Committee to provide an update on the outcome of the delivery programme for the Highways and Transportation teams’ capital work programmes during the 2019/20 financial year.

Whilst work continued on the Local transport Plan and the West Yorkshire + Transport Fund programmes, the service began development of the portfolio of schemes as part of the Transforming Cities Fund work for which the Council was awarded £89 million.

Progress was affected significantly by the COVID pandemic due to staff being redeployed, reduced personnel on construction sites and disruption to deliveries of materials.

The report provided details of the four inter-linked schemes at:

Bradford Interchange Station Access

Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements

South Bradford Park and Ride and Bus Expressway

West Bradford Cycle Superhighway Extension

Updates on progress and details of locations for the West Yorkshire + Transport Fund and the other works underway were also provided in documents appended to the main report.

Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions and comment on the report.  The details of these and the responses given are as below:

·         A Member asked whether the Smart Street Lighting project was on schedule and was advised that there were three elements to the project

Assessment/survey of columns

Design

Implementation and delivery. 

There were delays in surveys and some columns needed urgent removal so it had taken a bit longer than originally planned but would still be completed on time.

·         Was there evidence of demand for the mass rapid transit system?

·           Officers advised that they were working with WYCA to look at demand in 3 corridors – Bradford to Leeds, Bradford to Halifax and Bradford to Dewsbury but the mode of transport was not yet decided

·         Did Bradford receive all £89million?  The schemes in the report did not have costings attached.

·           Officers stated that funding went to the Combined Authority who divided it up between Local Authorities – Bradford’s individual allocation was £89million.  A business case for funding would be required as there was an assurance process to go through.  There were no definitive costings at present as these were still being worked on plus investigation of additional funding streams.

·         A Member questioned the benefits of the Transforming Cities work asking why would there be more cycle lanes and that cars would be prevented from accessing Hall Ings and from moving around.  Where would this traffic go?  Would there be longer traffic queues?

·           Officers reiterated some of the measures to improve access into the city centre via the park and ride and express bus way.  Improvements would also be brought in to improve the outer ring road to prevent traffic traversing the city

·         The question of access for deliveries (goods in and out) and staff getting to work in the city centre was raised.  Would customers want to come into the centre if it wasn’t easy as there was easy access and free parking at out of town shopping facilities?

·           Officers stated that engagement with city centre businesses was underway as well as other stakeholders such as the Chamber of Commerce who were all very supportive.  There were multiple strategies available to address these issues and routes that would facilitate access.  The traffic routes model was not yet available

·         How fast would the roll out of car charging points be?

·           Officers advised that the strategy was being developed to ensure that these were installed in the right locations and would be as compatible with technological developments going forward as possible.  The park and ride would have a solar charging facility and there were plans to utilise the new smart street lighting as charging points.  It was essential to make the right investment in the right solution as the technology evolved

·         There was a challenge around charging points near terraced housing and 19,000 columns to replace.

·           Priority had been given to replace columns which had expired and were subject to urgent cut down.  The teams were well aware of the challenge of EV charging for terraced housing and it would be looked into by the Lighting team when the permanent replacements were being fitted with the final design and location

·         Was the District getting an investment in transport?  buses needed to be fit for purpose

·           Officers stated that work was underway with WYCA on a bus strategy.  Buses needed to be cleaner with fund to help operators either retrofit or replace vehicles. 

·         Was cycling encouraged and what were the incentives?

·           Officers were working with WYCA to promote cycling and provide cycleways.  More cycle routes getting to more destinations

·         A member asked about the clean air zone for Keighley/Bingley and was advised that using the national model of air quality the area did not exceed the limit of 40micrograms so there were no current plans.  The work carried out in Bradford should not impact on these areas.  Air quality monitoring was being looked into with the possibility of monitors in the new street lighting columns which could send data back on pollution levels being considered

Resolved –

That the progress on the transport programmes across both programmes described in the report be noted and that an update report be presented in 12 months’ time.

Action: Strategic Director, Place