Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Transport Liaison Group, held on 29th June, 2016.

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

The Transport Liaison Group noted the contents of the minutes of the Transport Seminar held on 28th September, 2016 for all Members of the Council.

Arising from discussion of the minutes, the revised terms of reference for this Transport Liaison Group were approved.

1)    First Group

2)    Stagecoach

3)    South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive

4)    Rotherham Community Transport

5)    Arriva (Northern Rail)  (pages 9 to 33)

6)    Robin Hood Airport – Information note and Consultative Committee meetings - minutes of the meetings held on 14 July 2016 and on 20 October 2016 (pages 34 to 49)

(1) First Group – issue relating to the closure of the maintenance depot at Midland Road, Masbrough, Rotherham (as detailed below).

(2) Stagecoach – specific concerns remain about the impact upon service punctuality of the traffic congestion affecting the bus routes between Rotherham, Parkgate and Rawmarsh;

(3) South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive – the following information was received:-

: Rotherham Passenger Transport Interchange – the proposed refurbishment and repairs to damage caused by fire will take place during late 2017 and early 2018;  temporary bus stops will be positioned on roads within the Rotherham town centre due to reduced capacity within the Interchange whilst works take place;  a specific concern was raised about the lighting within the Interchange needing to be brighter;

: the Tram-Train project is still subject to formal approval by the Department of Transport; in the meantime, the new vehicles are being tested on the existing Supertram network;

: Christmas and New Year holiday period 2016/17 – bus services will operate in accordance with the pattern used in recent years, which is generally a Saturday service; on Boxing Day, a trial by First buses is also being undertaken of services X1 (between Maltby, Rotherham, Meadowhall and Sheffield) and X5 (between Dinnington and Sheffield), to establish the extent of passenger demand on those routes;

: Brightbus, which provided a number of school bus services in the Rotherham area are making cuts to some services in January 2017.  Impacts are being discussed with the local education service.

: several service changes will be effective from 28 and 29 January 2017;

·  The SYPTE has removed funding for service 45 (Rotherham to Herringthorpe) due to alternative services being available and very low usage.  A new bus stop is being provided for some residents to reduce walking distances to bus stops to 170 metres.

·  The SYPTE has agreed to use some spare time in the 44 timetable to provide, on the basis of a twelve months’ trial period, two trips per day to Wentworth Road and Celandine Rise in the Swinton Ward.  These journeys will be numbered 106.

·  Stagecoach changes to services 218 and 220 following changes to SYPTE contracts after European Union procurement of services.

·  First buses punctuality improvements (minor timetable changes) for services 7/8, 14, 39/40/41/42, 70, 72, 73, X5 and X78.

·  First buses and the SYPTE will include an additional stop on the BRT service in the Sheffield City centre, in response to feedback from Rotherham users of the service.

: a response had been provided to a question from a member of the public (via a Ward Councillor) about the changes to the 13/13a services affecting the Bramley and Sunnyside area;

: the First Group maintenance depot at Midland Road, Masbrough, Rotherham is to be closed, with the fleet operating from either the Doncaster or the Sheffield depots; it is anticipated that performance levels in terms of punctuality and vehicle reliability will be maintained, especially as many new and modern vehicles are in use;

:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Transportation and Highways Design Manager reported on the following issues affecting highways, traffic and transportation in the Rotherham Borough area:-

: Urban Traffic Scheme around the Rotherham town centre – implementation was nearly complete and the scheme would improve traffic flows on the highway network around the Rotherham town centre;

: Alma Road and Moorgate Road junction, Rotherham – installation of a signalled pedestrian crossing facility is currently being implemented;

: Bus Rapid Transit – the construction of the new road between Meadowhall Way and the A6178 Sheffield Road had improved journey times between Rotherham, the Meadowhall shopping centre and Sheffield;

: Parkgate – linking of pedestrian crossing facilities currently being implemented, to aid traffic flow;

: B6059 Wales Road, Kiveton Park – installation of zebra crossing;

: Whiston crossroads – improvements to traffic flow, including some minor physical works; installation of signalled pedestrian crossing facility across the A631 East Bawtry Road;

: Local Safety Scheme – reduction of maximum speed limit to 20mph on roads in the East Herringthorpe area;

: review of A57 – section from the Sheffield Parkway junction to the boundary of the Rotherham Borough area at Gateford; the review has implemented a 50mph vehicle speed limit and associated road safety features;

: review of A631 Tickhill Road – section near to the former colliery at Maltby;

: A630 Sheffield Parkway – proposed widening of the section near Catcliffe, on the approach to Junction 33 of the M1 motorway;

: Waverley Link Road – continuing discussions with Sheffield City Council about the line/route of the proposed Link Road at Waverley;

: Rotherham Passenger Transport Interchange – forthcoming refurbishment works and placement of temporary bus stops on roads within the Rotherham town centre;

: Department of Transport ‘Pinch Point’ funding – should the 2016 Autumn statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer indicate the potential availability of funds for Pinch-Point schemes, this Council will consider bidding for funds accordingly;

: Wood Lane, Brinsworth – proposed consultation, during the 2017/18 financial year, about a possible experimental traffic regulation order for the re-opening of this highway for a limited period of time; a decision as to whether the road would be re-opened on a permanent basis would be made after the consultation period had ended;

: Brinsworth – traffic congestion and ‘pinch points’ at various highway junctions, where vehicular traffic from Brinsworth intersects with the A631 Bawtry Road -  a feasibility study is to be undertaken;

: Greasbrough area – investigations are to be undertaken regarding congestion on the B6089 in the centre of Greasbrough.

Agreed: That the information about highways, traffic and transportation issues, now reported, be noted.

The following matters were discussed:-

(1) Traffic congestion on the A633 between Rotherham, Parkgate and Rawmarsh – discussions about the preliminary design and possible sources of funding for a relief road will begin during the 2017/18 financial year; a possible route between Aldwarke Lane and Retail World is to be investigated.

(2) Waverley new development – concerns had been raised about inconsiderate vehicle parking on roads near to the educational establishment at the Waverley new development, which is annexed to the Advanced Manufacturing Park; the vehicle parking had prevented some bus services from travelling along certain roads as part of the service routes; the situation had begun to improve recently; it was noted that consideration of the need for vehicle waiting restrictions on some roads would begin after these highways had been approved for adoption as being maintainable at public expense.

(3) Kiveton Park Railway Station – the adequacy of vehicle parking at this railway station continued to be a cause for concern.

• Wednesday 15th March, 2017 (2.00pm start)
• Wednesday in late June, 2017 (2.00pm start)

Agreed:- (1) That the next meeting of the RMBC Transport Liaison Group be held at the Town Hall, Rotherham on Wednesday, 15th March, 2017, commencing at 2.00 p.m.

(2) That the next following meetings of the RMBC Transport Liaison Group take place on Wednesdays during June and September, 2017.