Agenda and minutes

Agreed:- That Councillor A. Atkin be appointed Chairman for this meeting.

(Councillor Atkin in the Chair)

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Transport Liaison Group, held on 24th June, 2015.

Agreed:- That the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

(Minute No. 3(4)) (Northern Rail)

Members were informed that all public transport operators ensure that their staff undertake the necessary training in respect of the safeguarding of children and of vulnerable adults. Reference was made to an apparent increase in the number of cases of sexual harassment on trains. It was confirmed that Northern Rail have training schedules already in place for their staff, about ways of identifying and dealing quickly with these issues.

(Minute No. 3(4)) (Reporting issues concerning public transport)

It was noted that Parish Council representation on this Transport Liaison group is being arranged via the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations. It was also clarified that issues concerning public transport will be able to be reported via the Borough Council’s Area Assembly network.

1)    First Group

2)    Stagecoach

3)    South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive

4)    Rotherham Community Transport

5)    Northern Rail

6)    Robin Hood Airport - Consultative Committee meeting - minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2015 (pages 5 to 11)

(1) First Group – relevant items are included at section (3) below.

(2) Stagecoach – Services at Conisbrough are still being delayed because the maintenance works within the highway are continuing and are expected to be completed soon.  Service delays continue to occur at Parkgate and the difficulties of improving traffic flows in that area are widely acknowledged.

(3) South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE)

(i) The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) between Rotherham and Sheffield – a new link road is due to be opened in June 2016; the new BRT service is scheduled to start operating no later than September 2016.

(ii) The Tram-Train project, to extend the Supertram via the heavy rail route to Rotherham and Parkgate - engineering work is to start imminently and vehicle testing should start in 2016; currently, the planned start date for the operation of services is early 2017.

Members asked for clarification of the date and place on the highway when engineering works will begin.  It was clarified that, at present, there will be no impact on the highway network, nor on existing rail services.

(iii) Rotherham Central Railway Station

New ticket machines are to be installed in the next few months. The SYPTE has been approached by Gallery Town to place some artwork at the Rotherham Central railway station.  Discussions have been held with Northern Rail and the Gallery Town about the arrangements for installation of this artwork. This artwork will be unveiled on Friday 23rd October 2015.

(iv) Bus network updates

There have been no significant changes in September.

Rotherham 19B - service rerouted in Dinnington to operate a one-way loop.  The change is to improve the punctuality of the 19, 19A and 19B service group.  All passengers can still use the service, but some will have to travel via the Interchange first.

Rotherham/Sheffield 71 - Service 71 rerouted via Centretainment and the Meadowhall retail park, following customer requests.

Rotherham 108/109 – the Summer frequency timetable will remain in place and will not alter from September 2015, due to the extra resource required in the Dearne Valley for major electrical replacement works causing delays.

Rotherham X7 –  the 0700 journey will no longer operate. Alternative journeys are available earlier (X7, Powells) or later (X13).

The January, 2016, service changes will be known in late November 2015.  Councillors will be briefed on all changes by the SYPTE communication team.

The ‘RConnect’ ticket prices will reduce from Sunday 1st November 2015, as detailed below:-

The new ‘RConnect’ prices come with a commitment of no price review until April 2017.  Councillors will receive confirmation of these details shortly.

Members asked about the SYPTE  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

(1) Highways schemes scheduled to be delivered as part of the Local Highways Programme 2015/16

(a) Refurbishment of Clifton Lane crossroads – this scheme will include cycle crossings integrated within Toucan crossings, as well as the creation of a walking route from the Rotherham town centre to Clifton Park; construction works are scheduled to be completed by 31 March 2016.

(b) St. Ann’s roundabout improvement works (utilising funding secured from the Sustainably Transport Exemplar Programme) - the traffic signals at the junction of the A630 Centenary Way and Kenneth Street will be removed, facilitating improved traffic flows and bus journey times in the direction of Parkgate and Fitzwilliam Road (and reducing the use of Kenneth Street and Effingham Street as a ‘rat run’).  A new pedestrian/cycle Toucan crossing will be installed at the roundabout exit onto Fitzwilliam Road. Also, at the Fitzwilliam Road and St. Ann’s Road approach to the roundabout (south side), some lengths of the subway will be filled in to facilitate the creation of a walking/cycling path, enhanced by environmental improvements. The traffic signals are to be removed at the St. Ann’s Road approach onto the St. Ann’s roundabout. These improvement works will benefit pedestrians, cyclist and public transport users.

(c) The walking and cycling route from Masbrough into the Rotherham town centre is being improved, including the widening of the section of footway between the railway station and the town centre.

Members noted that the modern traffic signals, being installed, have a button for blind and partially sighted people to press, to check that it is safe to cross the road. This facility is particularly needed at busy junctions which have separate signals for different route directions, where the audible signals may cause some confusion for blind and partially sighted people.

(2) Highways outside Schools – 20 mph vehicle speed restriction

Members were informed of changes which were taking place, at the instigation of Central Government, which included the relaxation of guidelines and gave Highway Authorities more flexibility to establish 20 mph speed limits on highways in their areas. Reference was made to the Borough Council’s own policy in this matter (Minute No. C162 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 15th January 2014 refers).  The policy was being applied and tested in respect of the traffic speed on highways outside a number of schools in the Borough area, as follows:-

: Ravenfield Primary School at B6093 Moor Lane North – a trial scheme had begun in May 2015, which included a part-time advisory 20mph speed limit on this highway which passes the School;

: Thurcroft Junior and Infant School – B6060 Green Arbour Road and also School Road;

: Brinsworth (secondary) Academy – B6067 Brinsworth Road;

: Wickersley Northfield Primary School – Northfield Lane;

: Sandhill Primary Academy - Kilnhurst Road, Rawmarsh;

: Brampton Ellis CE Primary School – Brampton Road and the B6089 Packman Road (this location is still under consideration).

Members noted that the highway and road safety assessments will be undertaken,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Agreed:- (1) That the next meeting of the RMBC Transport Liaison Group be held at the Town Hall, Rotherham on Wednesday, 2nd December, 2015, commencing at 2.00 p.m.

(2) That future meetings of the RMBC Transport Liaison Group take place on:-

• Wednesday 16th March, 2016
• Wednesday 29th June, 2016