Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report, presented by Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, relating to the South Yorkshire Second Local Transport Plan Progress Delivery Report 2008 and the responses from the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber.

A table within the report detailed the progress and performance against both mandatory and Local Transport Plan 2 indicators.  It was reported that performance was mostly on track.  However the initiatives were not fully producing the desired move from private car to public transport.

Particular reference was made to:-

-                      SYLI 1 - % of non-car trips to Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham centres

-                      Falling number of people per quarter using the interchange by bus

Members present commented on:-

-                      Establishment of South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority

-                      Proposal for a free bus around the town centre and link to Parkgate shopping

-                      Improved bus services, particularly in the Dearne Valley

-                      Lack of rail capacity in South and West Yorkshire

-                      Bus Rapid Transit proposal

Resolved:-  That the progress and performance, together with the explanations alongside each indicator, be noted.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to report LTP2 2006-2008 performance.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to the second South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 Progress Delivery Report.

Reference was made to the DfT’s requirement to review progress, assess risks and challenges to be addressed if targets and indicators were to be met by the end of the Plan.

A full copy of the Delivery report was made available at the meeting.

A table within the report detailed Core Indicators, their definition and performance (green = on track;  amber = almost on track & improving; and red = not on track).

Members’ attention was drawn to the mandatory indicators which were on track except for BVPI 102+ (total local public transport patronage).

Particular reference was made to the following:-

-                      road safety indicators:- noting the GOYH had urged the Council and South Yorkshire to continue to pursue the national targets

-                      air quality and congestion:- noting the continued modal shift towards private car use

-                      accessibility:- noting this was not on track due to anomalies in monitoring and reporting methodology

It was pointed out that no further funding would be allocated on the basis of the report as the integrated transport block had already been fully allocated to local authorities for the whole of the Plan period.

Government Office’s response was attached at Appendix A which highlighted 6 key issues, and these were detailed in the submitted report.

Reference was made to the need for pedestrian facilities to cross A618 Pleasley Road to access Ulley Country Park.

Resolved:-   (1) That the Delivery Report and the response from the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber be noted.

(2)                       That the report be referred to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information.

(3)  That the Transportation Unit Manager investigates measures to assist pedestrians crossing Pleasley Road to access Ulley Country Park.