The report of the Strategic Director Place (Document “AA”) updates the Committee on the outcome of the delivery of the final year of the second implementation plan (April 2014-April 2017) of the Local Transport Plan and the West Yorkshire Combines Authority’s progress towards adoption of the replacement transport strategy for West Yorkshire.

Recommended –

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

(2)  That a further report on the development of the first five year implementation plan of the replacement Transport Strategy and its delivery be presented to a future meeting of this Committee.

(Richard Gelder – 01274 437603)

The report of the Strategic Director Place (Document “AA”) updated the Committee on the outcome of the delivery of the final year of the second implementation plan (April 2014-April 2017) of the Local Transport Plan and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s progress towards adoption of the replacement transport strategy for West Yorkshire.

Members were advised that the overarching approach to the transport strategy had changed from a technical approach to that of cross cutting themes. They were also advised how West Yorkshire Transport Plan Plus schemes would be delivered and that a further report on Forster Square Station would be presented to a future meeting.

Particular schemes were highlighted for Members’ information such as the improvements to the A650 at Tong which were earmarked for completion by 2021; the A650 at Hard Ings Road, which had now reached a stage which could see work starting in February 2019; the scheme at New Line which was currently in the objection period for any necessary compulsory purchase orders; the Bradford Shipley corridor improvement scheme which had moved to the development of the outline business case and would probably be split into phases as it was a very big scheme. The issue of air quality and clean air zones was also highlighted.

The Chair queried the issue of converting a section of road on the Bradford to Shipley Road corridor to a dual carriageway and was informed that it was necessary to deal with a stretch of that road where traffic merging was known to be very difficult.

A Member asked for an elaboration of the works proposed for Harrogate Road/New Line and was informed that it would involve junction widening and improvement and would be a major piece of engineering work. The Member went on to ask whether pedestrian facilities such as a puffin crossing could be examined as part of that work. She was advised that improved pedestrian facilities would be examined as part of works to link up the junctions but that puffin crossings did not allow for signals to work together.

The non-voting co-opted Member queried whether the funds allocated for alleviating flooding on Canal Road would be linked to the project for that area identified in this report and was advised that both projects would be considered together in order to achieve best outcomes.

A Member noted that the new railway station at Apperley Bridge was poorly integrated with bus routes and queried whether there were plans to improve the situation. He was informed that the new station had been a resounding success, with an extension to the car park already necessary and plans for more trains to stop there than had originally been expected. The issue of buses calling there was definitely a future aspiration as was connectivity with Leeds Bradford airport.

A Member highlighted the need for traffic to flow efficiently across the District to address issues of air pollution as well as improving employment opportunities for Bradford residents. The Committee was informed about a new programme called SCOOT which would eventually connect all traffic signals across the District and would make signals more inclusive and improve traffic flow. The programme was a two year scheme starting in April 2018 with main corridors being linked first but eventually including all routes.

They were also advised that the strategy for Tong Street in particular would involve making the part of the route which was currently extremely congested into dual carriageway and creating a bus route which should significantly improve traffic flow on that route in and out of the City Centre.

Resolved –

(1)  That Document “AA” be noted.

(2)  That a further report on the development of the first five year implementation plan of the replacement Transport Strategy and its delivery be presented to a future meeting of this Committee.

ACTION: Strategic Director Place