Agenda item

The Transportation Advisory Group noted the questions and answers on transport matters that had been submitted in advance of the meeting that had been included in the agenda pack.

Further to question 1 from Councillor Tinsley, he asked if it would be possible to consider either a shuttle bus or look at the road layout as there was a layby that potentially could be a turning point for the bus.

Agreed:- (1)  That SYMCA/Council consider the above suggestion.

Further to question 4 from Councillor Currie with regard to the No. 139 bus service, it was agreed at the February meeting that a meeting be held with SYMCA and Rotherham Community Transport (RCT) to look at possible ways of connecting the communities particularly for the elderly to access the church and shops. 

Adrian Parkinson replied that RCT could look at it as they were already active in the area most days and could consider any requests whether they be on an individual basis or specific times a specific bus was required.

Councillor Currie would speak to the community groups concerned and draw a plan up.  He would then contact Adrian to discuss.

Further to question 5 from Parish Councillor Bob Croxton, he emphasised the total lack of consultation regarding the Mill Lane road closure.  This has not been helped by the wrong timetables being posted out which had added to the confusion. 

The shuttle bus was going through the Waverley estate and not going past where everyone wanted it to go i.e. AMP and Morrisons/Boundary Mill but put it through the Waverley estate where there were no bus stops.  The Rotherham bound buses were going the opposite way round the village to the way the normal bus did.

Sam Millington, SYMCA, explained that the Bus Services Team had been made aware of the proposed closures very late in the day.  Due to the late notice, consultation had taken place with the local Councillors that arranged a meeting between Andrew Simpton, Richard Turner, Treeton Parish Council and Councillor Baggaley where follow-up points were made.  The timetable was changed and reduced to an hourly service from the proposed 30 minute service because it was extended through to Swallownest, Waverley, Woodhouse Mill and Catcliffe.

The service was already registered to run past Morrisons although it was acknowledged that the online information had been incorrect.  The service was provided to connect Swallownest and Handsworth for buses through to Sheffield, however, due to resource limitations, the service could not be run all the way through to Sheffield but needed to run the service through to Canklow roundabout.  The extra 7 minutes from Canklow to Rotherham made it feasible to run it through to Rotherham Interchange where people could transfer to the TramTrain or other services.

There had been a combination of factors and SYMCA took full responsibility and apologised.  Due to changes to SYMCA’s internal processes, this had been flagged and the process would be reviewed to ensure it did not happen again. 

Bob Croxton stated that the issue would arise in the near future and would be worse as the bridge at Catcliffe was to be replaced and many people walked to Catcliffe to catch a bus to Rotherham and Sheffield.  When the bridge was shut there would be no access at all. 

There was also a massive problem with road closures. There were traffic lights on Aughton Road, Aston which were delaying buses; Rotherham Road, Swallownest, was about to shut with buses diverting bus down Main Street; Rotherham Road coming off Retford Road, was now shut and during the rush hour the shuttle buses were running approximately 30 minutes late and there were traffic lights on Long Lane, Treeton.

With an hourly bus service it was causing great difficulties.

Lucy Hudson, RMBC, stated that the Highways Team was in the process of producing a newsletter for the bridge replacement works which would be going out to residents in the area.

Agreed:-  (2)  That the highway concerns be passed onto Highways Services and Streetworks Team as to how roadworks permits were overseen and how they were all planned.

Further to question 7 from Councillor Thorp, stated that there had been no consultation with local Ward Councillors to discuss the disruption of service.

Sam Millington stated that, unfortunately, it was not possible for service 21 to divert through the estate during the Worrygoose Lane closure.  This was due to the road layout at the junction of Cow Rakes Lane and Moorhouse Lane where the camber and turning manoeuvre required would make operation of the bus unsafe.  As a result the diversion route had been implemented via Cow Rakes Lane and Greystones Road could not be served directly during the closure.

For those residents unable to access the diverted 21 service on Cow Rakes Lane, there was the option of Community Transport which was a pre-bookable and chargeable service.  At the present time, this was the only feasible way to run a full size vehicle on the diversion route. 

SYMCA would look at further options such as a shuttle bus between Whiston Village and/or a 12 seater minibus but it would be something that the utility company would have to pick up the cost for.

The issue would be taken back to the new team within SYMCA, however, SYMCA had not been made aware of the proposed works until near the start of the works.  It would be looked at further as the works were due to last for some time.

Agreed:-  (3)  That a member of the Disruptions Teams be invited to attend the next TAG meeting.