Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27^th November, 2024.

Agreed:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th November, 2024, be approved as a correct record of proceedings.

There were no matters arising.

The Chair referred to the questions submitted and the responses received.  He offered those Members who had submitted questions the opportunity to ask a supplementary question and the following Members responded in relation to their questions:-

Question 3 – Councillor Bacon reiterated his own and the passenger’s concerns about the overcrowding she had experienced whilst travelling on the No. 21 bus from Rotherham to Harthill.

John Young from Stagecoach and Nathan Broadhead from SYMCA both confirmed there had been no reported concerns on this route post pandemic and whilst challenges with standing passengers at peak times existed, standing passenger numbers were within expected regulations and the capacity was definitive.

This was a well-used route and the driver knew and took on board the consequences of overloading passengers. 

The Chair suggested that if there were any further concerns for Councillor Bacon to take this up with specific representatives.

Question 4 – Councillor Thorp asked if there was an opportunity through Active Travel for funding to create safer areas to allow children to cross roads safely.

Nathan Broadhead from SYMCA was not aware of any funding, but would take this matter away and come back to Councillor Thorp with the outcome and also respond on potential funding related to a crossing on Broom Lane.

Question 10 – Councillor Bennett-Sylvester referred to the inconsistencies with the First App and the map in Rotherham Interchange which did not list Thrybergh Country Park.  He asked if he could be supported to get this rectified.

Nathan Broadhead from SYMCA would pick up these concerns and ascertain what changes could be made and would endeavour to ensure the bus stop names were the same on both sides of the road outside the entrance to Thrybergh Country Park.

Question 11 – Councillor Bennett-Sylvester highlighted the demand for a bus service up Herringthorpe Valley Road to assist young people with getting to St. Bernard’s Catholic High School.

Nathan Broadhead from SYMCA confirmed there was no dedicated service from either Stagecoach or First.  The 114 had been re-routed.  There was no dedicated service for catholic children without those living in Thrybergh travelling into the interchange and back out again.  It was indeed a long walk up Herringthorpe Valley Road from the mushroom roundabout for young people.  This issue would be taken back and see what improvements could be made, if any, from September.

Nathan Broadhead, Bus Partnership and Development Manager from SYMCA, confirmed that as of 18^th March, 2025 SYMCA, under a franchise agreement with the DfT, would take control of the bus network including depots, bus fleets, routes, timetables, service standards, tickets and fares. Publicly controlled buses would start to roll out in South Yorkshire from September, 2027.

This would provide bus services across the four districts with details to follow.

There were a number of options within Rotherham especially around the Blackburn/Kimberworth area for an evening/Sunday service and work would take place with operators with a view to changes from April.

SYMCA’s Communications Team and Nathan Broadhead himself would be more than willing to discuss any concerns that Members may have.

The Chair extended the invitation for Members to ask any questions.

Councillor Bennett-Sylvester welcomed the positive franchise announcement, but asked if this would allow for improvements to the challenges being faced in the toilet area in Rotherham interchange even if this meant a charge would be applied.

Nathan Broadhead confirmed access to the toilets was currently free, but would seek further information from relevant people to see how the concerns being raised could be addressed.

Councillor Williams welcomed the franchise announcement and asked if an all Member Seminar could be arranged in Rotherham to provide further detail.  In addition, he also referred to a previous report he had made about a bus stop in West Melton which was yet to receive a response.

Nathan Broadhead confirmed more information would be provided in due course and consideration could be given to a seminar.  He asked Councillor Williams to forward the email to himself and he would endeavour to get a response.

(1)       First Group

(2)       Stagecoach

(3)       Rotherham Community Transport

First Buses

Steve Radford from First Buses reported on minor changes to the X1 and X2 which would provide more space in between services serving Bramley and Maltby.

In addition there were minor tweaks planned to the 115/116 and 139/141 services.

The 95A service through Aston/Swallownest/Aughton would no longer provide a service to Crystal Peaks on an hourly basis as this could no longer be sustained on the current numbers.

Councillor Bacon noted when this service was reinstated that it would likely fail.  He asked if SYMCA would provide a replacement.

Nathan Broadhead from SYMCA confirmed there were no plans to replace this service.  The 26/26A provided a two hourly link to Crystal Peaks.

Councillor Garnett asked if the 139 service which went up Ox Close Avenue could resume for elderly residents who struggled up the hill and served a wider area.

Steve Radford from First confirmed the service ran along Roughwood Road and the 138 along Kimberworth Park Road at the top.  There were no plans to change these services or to look again at the network.  If there were changes to the 139/141 along Roughwood Road the frequency of service would be lost.

Councillor Adair welcomed the improvements made at Treeton and thanked First Buses for their involvement.

Stagecoach

John Young from Stagecoach confirmed twenty-three electric buses were now in service.  The services were reliable and had been well received.

Improvements to the 22x/221 service upgrade were positive with growth in patronage.

Service delivery from Rawmarsh Depot was at:-

           Punctuality                                   87%

           Over Christmas                            82%

           Reliability of journeys Period 12   99.85%

           Reliability for last two weeks         99.93%

These were some of the best results anywhere in the UK.

Work on the Parkgate Corridor had helped bus services and hopefully from the April change date, service punctuality would further improve as a result of planned minor alterations.

Community Transport

No representative was in attendance, but efforts would be made for him to attend future meetings.

Richard Isaac, Northern Rail, gave the following performance update:-

Cancellations                       2.4%

Time to 3                           81.5%

Time to 15                         98.7%

Performance was pretty good for the East Region with no data for the Hope Valley for Manchester.

Details of an event was provided which was held on International Women’s Day in York which included inspirational employment opportunities in the rail industry.

Northern Rail was also involved in a collaboration with Rotherham College and the U.K. Parliament in engaging young people.  The College had been involved in a poster event promoting the Yorkshire Coast and more recently South Yorkshire.

The most recent event had involved a group of seven Rotherham students visiting the Houses of Parliament and meeting M.Ps.  They were also afforded the opportunity to sit in on the Welfare Rights Committee.  Lunch had been offered at the DfT.

Northern Rail were always promoting volunteering and employment opportunities and shared all vacant posts with Rotherham College.

Councillor Garnett welcomed the proactive collaboration, but asked if vacancies could be shared more widely and if there were any other collaborating opportunities in the pipeline.

Richard Issac confirmed that the partnership was primarily with Rotherham College, but engagement opportunities were afforded other students from Year 6.  Northern Rail were also involved in active learning and were happy to be involved in events bringing people together.

The Chair asked about the impact of train cancellations on weekend working.

Richard Issac confirmed that this side of the Pennines an older franchise agreement was in existence where weekend working was voluntary.  Discussions would be ongoing prior to the move to become GBR.

Nat Porter, Interim Head of Transportation Infrastructure, gave the following

powerpoint presentation for the Transport Infrastructure Service:-

·              Milestones

?             Corton Wood Crossing

?             LNRS1 Swinton and Rockingham and Thurcroft and Wickersley South

?             Rotherham Gateway Station Business Case Submission

·              Ongoing Developments

-             Active Travel masterplans

o     Wath, Dinnington, Rotherham West/Central.

o     Due to complete April.

-             LNRS1

o     Wales, Hoober and Rotherham West schemes programmed by HDT to start around late March.

o     Anston and Woodsetts, Rawmarsh East, Maltby East design being finalised for issue for construction.

o     Bramley working through design challenges (trees).

o     Boston Castle funding ringfenced, development and delivery aligned to CRSTS majors.

-               CRSTS major schemes

o     Consultation feedback being feed for designers’ consideration.

o     Working with Cadent Gas in respect of co-ordination of major gas works on Fitzwilliam Road.

-               Crossings

o     Wath Road/Brampton Road preliminary design complete pending RSA.

o     Broad Street, Parkgate in late stages of preliminary design.

-               LNRS2

o     Feasibility complete for five schemes.

o     Two schemes require reconsideration.

o     Two schemes aligned with CRSTS majors (funding is ringfenced).

o     One scheme is feasibility study due complete July.

o     One in funding discussion with third party, one is pending a discussion re: an emerging partner issue.

-               Currently reviewing resourcing to ensure designs ready for start on site Spring 2026

o     Subject to public consultation, technical investigations, etc.

·              Capital Programme 202526

o     Approved 17 Mar (subject to call-in).

o     Final financial contribution to close LNRS.

o     Additional money to enable delivery of Broad Street crossing and bus priority.

o     Pedestrian crossings prioritisation and development.

o     Monitoring and evaluation.

o     Minor works.

·              Beyond 2025/26

o     No confirmation of funding beyond March 2027.

o     More details expected around June.

o     2026/27 programme will depend on that.

o     Need to understand how national and regional priorities will shape the programme.

Councillor Bennett-Sylvester noted all the updates, but specifically asked which planning applications had funded via Section 106 the Mushroom Roundabout feasibility study.

Further details  would be provided after the meeting via email.

John Young from Stagecoach reported several concerns on the Blackburn Estate for the 137 service with parked cars causing service delays.  In the event that this service was expanded then the number of cars parked could increase.

Nat Porter, Interim Head of Transportation Infrastructure, asked for details to be forwarded on and the service would look into this problem.

Wednesday,  18^th June,                2025

                     17^th September

                     19^th November

                     11^th February,          2026

All commencing at 10.00 a.m. and via Microsoft Teams

Details were provided of all future meetings for the Transportation Advisory Group which would continue to be at 10.00 a.m. on a Wednesday on a virtual basis via Microsoft Teams:-

18th June, 2025

17th September, 2025

19th November, 2025

11th February, 2026