Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth and Skills is attached.

Councillor O’Brien, Leader of the Council provided an overview of the Local Transport Strategy.

Members had discussions on routes of transport around the borough, development of Metrolink sites and bus routes that currently are unconnected. In response the Leader advised that within the strategy on pages 215-227 there is outlines of an improvement plan for bus routes.

Councillor Pilkington suggested that the Strategy could be clearly broken down into updates for each township to assist with using the strategy.

Discussions took place regarding the Rossendale Rail line and Councillor O’Brien confirmed that the Council will think creatively, and the Council’s position is that it is worth exploring but there is a heritage red line.

The Leader also advised he would be welcome to considering how to connect Ramsbottom and Tottington.

Councillor Bernstein welcomed the Local Transport Strategy but advised the challenge is how we educate people to understand its aim. He confirmed that there is significant time before delivery and the objective is improving the environment and active travel. The Leader agreed and advised firstly active travel and public transport needs to be improved for those who need to use public transportation then to support those who choose to use a car but could use effective public transport.

Discussions took place regarding specific Bus and Metrolink routes where members of the Committee highlighted areas for development and gaps in the current transport infrastructure.

Councillor O’Brien finished by thanking officers for their work on this document and asked elected members for their support on this work and communicating it to residents.

It was proposed by Councillor Pilkington and agreed unanimously by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that:

1.    The Overview and Scrutiny Committee suggests that prior to commencement of consultation and to assist engagement, the Local Transport Strategy includes separate transport plans for each of the different townships. 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth and Skills is attached.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth and Skills, presented the report which set out how the Council will meet its ambitions to develop an integrated transport network that will support a healthy, green, connected and thriving Borough through a Local Transport Strategy that aligned with the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040. Councillor O’Brien extended his thanks to officers and Members for their work on developing this long term, ambitious strategy.

Members discussed the report, noting the objective to change behaviours around travel and underpinning this through the transport system. It was noted this would take significant time to come to implement but demonstrated the value of the GMCA and of devolution.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Approved the draft Local Transport Strategy attached at Appendix 1 as the basis for a 3-month public consultation commencing in late March 2023; and

2.    Delegated approval to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Leader to make modifications to the draft Local Transport Strategy before consultation commences.

Reasons for the decision:

To ensure that all stakeholders are given the opportunity to have their say on the draft Local Transport Strategy and the role and function it will play in facilitating the preparation of a pipeline of potential interventions required to support key developments in a sustainable manner, as well as ensuring transport needs are provided for over the next 10 years and beyond.

Other options considered and rejected:

None. It is important that stakeholder engagement continues to seek the views and input from the wider public, key businesses and other key partners to ensure that the final Transport Strategy is fit for purpose.