Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Andrews, Jarvis and Pitchley.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Transportation Advisory Board held on 23 September, 2020.

Agreed: - That the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as a true record with the addition of apologies from Councillor Russell.

The Chair confirmed that she would look into the Rotherham MBC substitute arrangements for the Doncaster Sheffield Airport Consultative Committee.

The Transportation Advisory Board noted the details of questions on transport matters and the answers that had been provided. The Board welcomed the news regarding the removal of pacer trains from the Northern Rail fleet.

Nathan Broadhead of the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) attended the meeting to provide an update on public transport services and developments in the Borough. It was reported that the bus network service was nearly at 100% whilst offering a slightly different service due to COVID-19. Bus capacity was however limited by government guidance and bus services within the Borough had adopted a “no-standing” rule. There were no issues with the school bus services; additional buses had been added to take into account reduced capacity. Additional funding had also been secured to allow a new school bus service. It was expected that when COVID-19 restrictions were removed, the patronage of the bus service would not return to pre-COVID-19 levels but would be around 70-80% of that figure.

There was also positive news on the proposal for a new train station at Waverley as part of the reversing of the Beeching cuts. Discussions would be held with the Department For Transport in the new year.  

Agreed: - That the update be noted.

(1)       First Group

(2)       Stagecoach

(3)       Rotherham Community Transport

Paul Hopkinson from First Group gave an update on their operations. Business was continuing as usual with the school and commuter networks stable. No major changes were forecasted with minor changes to the timetable taking place over Christmas week.

John Young from Stagecoach gave an update on their operations. Services had been running at almost 100% since September 2020. Passenger numbers were at 53% of normal capacity but this was an increase from the recent lockdown period when passenger numbers were around 38% of normal capacity. Mr Young explained that further financial support from Government was required whilst capacity numbers were capped. There had been very few issues with adherence to the facemask rules but British Transport Police were helpful in dealing with any issues that arose. New cleaning practices had been brought it and it was expected that these practices would continue once the pandemic was over.

The Board wished to place on record their thanks to public transport employees for their continued work throughout the pandemic. Councillor Cusworth specifically thanked Mr Young for working with Mr John Heeley on bus services within her ward.

Nathan Broadhead gave an update on Rotherham Community Transport. This service was continuing but in a limited way. The service was now on a one to one basis; there were no group services. The vehicles used were thoroughly cleaned between each use.

Agreed: - That the update be noted.

Richard Isaac from Northern Rail provided an update on the railway. There had been no major incidents on Northern Rail trains and the service had been operating at a good level. There had been a good level of compliance with the mask wearing rules. Mr Isaac shared the FAQ’s on Northern Rail’s cleaning policy and the new scooter policy. Both of these documents are appended to the Minutes.

Some employees of Northern Rail had to self-isolate after being contacted by the COVID-19 track and trace system. However that was not having a detrimental impact on the provision of front line services. The “back office” was being run on a rota system with home working provisions in place.

Mr Isaac thanked the Friends of Swinton Station for featuring in a Northern Rail promotional film. It was agreed that this film would be shared with the Board. Mr Isaac also confirmed that he would attend as many Board meetings as possible and would be the key contact for Members at Northern Rail going forward.

Agreed: - That the update be noted.

To note the minutes of the meetings of the Doncaster Sheffield Airport Consultative Committee.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Doncaster Sheffield Airport Consultative Committee were noted. The Chair confirmed that she would answer any additional questions on those minutes by email.

Agreed: - That the update be noted.

·       Emergency Active Travel Fund (Active Travel Emergency Fund)

·       Transforming Cities Fund

·       Rotherham Midland Mainline Station Project

·       Clean Air Zone.

Andrew Moss, Interim Head of Transport Infrastructure, attended the meeting to provide a progress report and make a presentation on:

-          Emergency Active Travel Fund - Update on the Broom Corridor Tranche 2 bid.

-          Transforming Cities Fund - Update on priority projects.

-          Rotherham Midland Mainline Station - Update

-          Clean Air Zone – Update

The Interim Head of Transport Infrastructure advised that a consultation and engagement plan was required to secure £1.5m of funding for the Tranche 2 project on Broom Road. Discussions were ongoing about extending the scheme late into 2021 and into 2022. Mr Moss also gave an update on the Cycleways throughout the Borough. Around 75km of road and 75km of off-road routes had been identified during a survey. More cycleways had been identified as part of the year ahead plan.

With regard to the Transforming Cities Fund, Mr Moss gave an update on the projects  at Templeborough; Ickles; Manvers Cycleway; Maltby Bus Corridor; Doncaster Road Cycleway and the Parkgate schemes.

In relation to the Rotherham Midland Mainline Update, the Board and Mr Moss welcomed the news about the Waverley Station proposals. Mr Moss explained the process of going through the Government Gateway system to secure funding. This included the production of Business Cases that could cost up to £1m to develop. Work was ongoing to discuss further upgrades to the Rotherham Midland Mainline included the possibility of a station on the Parkgate area and a possible link with the tram network.

The fourth update was on the Clean Air Zone. There were no plans to introduce a charging scheme for the Clean Air Zone in Rotherham. Funding had been secured for three schemes that were being discussed with Government. A further update on the schemes was expected in March 2021.

Agreed:

-          That the update be noted.

-          That discussions take place regarding a one item agenda meeting on the Rail Strategy.
That the Chair and Andrew Moss discuss the option of holding more all Member seminars on important transport updates. 

There was no other business.

The next meeting of the Board would be 10 March 2021.