Minutes:
Matt Reynolds, Transportation Manager, gave a powerpoint presentation on improving air quality in Rotherham. The headlines of the presentation included-
- Government mandate - Rotherham and Sheffield to jointly produce a feasibility study to reduce nitrogen dioxide and demonstrate improved measures of air quality
- Rotherham had a number of operational and environmental issues which contributed towards an increased level of impact related to vehicle emission e.g. topography and land form, constrained strategic transport corridors
- Government mandate included specific submission dates
Strategic outline case submitted on time in March 2019
Outline business case submitted on time in December 2018
Full business case to be submitted by 2nd September 2019
- Evidence supporting the feasibility study indicated 4 locations where compliance in the “do nothing” scenario was unlikely to be achieved – A629 Wortley Road, A630 Fitzwilliam Road, A630 Sheffield Parkway and A633 Rawmarsh Hill
- Rotherham would not introduce a charging regime; Sheffield would have a Clean Air Zone Charge (CAZ ‘C’). This would be applicable to non-compliant taxis, buses, HFVs and LGVs
- IPSC had requested sight of the public consultation plan on the measures to support the FBC submission
- The consultation would focus on the why, what and how. This would specifically refer to the improvements proposed to achieve compliance and direct people to the Sheffield consultant where comments regarding charging could be logged
- The consultation approach would use a mixture of measures including online and paper. There would be targeted communications with specific geographical areas to increase participation
- Next steps
Public consultation on the proposals to begin the week commencing 27th May, 2019
- Early Measures Fund
The Council had been invited to bid into the EMF for funding to support behavioural change. A programme of work to introduce electric vehicle charging point installations across the Borough had been identified. There were now 25 points in the Town Centre and 24 elsewhere in the Borough all located on Council-owned car parks
Discussion ensued with the following issues raised:-
· Clarification of CAZ C – “C” is classification letters of support. Bus operators would need to write a letter stating that they would only support it if they were provided with retro fit money for the vehicles
· Initial problems experienced with the new electric points installed in the town centre which had been resolved. However, there had been an issue with vandalism
· The tariff charged on EV parking and usage
· Inclusion in large housing developments of electric charging points
· 5 charging points would be available in the Wellgate Multi-Storey car park. There would be Traffic Regulation Orders in place for anyone parking a car in one of the spaces that was not an electric car and/or not charging
· The refurbished Interchange provided disabled bays with electric charging points
· The Council had very limited influence over car dealerships
· The electric charging points without restrictions would be available 24/7. It was felt that for those situated within the Wellgate Multi-Storey car park would only be available during normal operational hours
· Transport for the North, which sat above the Sheffield City Region, had drawn up a Freight Strategy looking at different modes of transport including the roleo f water-based freight
· Zap-map showed all the electric charging points available. The New Motion-app was linked to the payment system
· Sheffield had enforced Anti-Idling Legislation but Rotherham had not as yet
Agreed:- That the presentation be noted.