Agenda item

To consider the report of the Acting Head of Policy and Strategy and to receive an update on the development of the Strategic Transport Plan.

Lead: Lucy Jacques

7.1             Members received the report from the Interim Head of Policy who highlighted the key elements of her report and presentation.

 

7.2          The Chair raised the issue of Combined Authorities commitments and stated that North Yorkshire will be required to have an area transport system comparable to Transport for London in 10 years and stated that the timelines of TfN and those of Combined Authorities are not aligned

 

The Interim Head of Policy stated that when developing a strategic plan for a multitude of areas then there will be a challenge in marrying these different dates up. She stated that the STP is a long term vision and the 2050 end state has been widely agreed with partners and is considered critical to enabling a plan to be brought forward that is both aspirational but also intentional to set out longer term priorities beyond government political cycles. This is a critical to the argument regarding funding.  She explained that as part of the STP2 objectives TfN are looking to set interim milestones for 2030 that complement the long term ambition but more clearly articulate where we need to be in the short – medium term. 

 

The Chair requested that there be a recognition of the earlier dates that Combined Authorities have in order that credibility will not be with local partners.  He suggested that within the policy TfN may wish to say that the policy for the Combined Authorities is different.  The Interim Head of Policy agreed and explained it will be clear in the document that while STP2 sets the pan regional targets, local and combined authorities own plans and strategies will vary.

 

7.3          Cllr O’Hara asked how much the STP is linked into the development of local transport plans.

 

The Interim Head of Strategy stated that work has been taking place with officers and partners on this to make sure that these documents complement each other as integration between national, regional and local level is key to delivering the outcomes that everyone wants.

 

7.4          Cllr Davison made a number of points around the practicalities of transitioning away from the car in order to travel from A to B.

 

The Interim Head of Strategy was confident that Cllr Davison’s points could be picked up in the final plan and explained there are a number of workstreams at TfN that explore this in more detail including the emerging work on Clean Mobility Visions, and suggested that the Committee might  want to consider whether it should be considered on a future agenda.

 

7.5          Cllr Salter raised the issue of poor public transport in rural areas and provision of transport for younger and older people in rural areas.

 

7.6          The Chair stated that it is important that the permanent population is  recognised in the bedrock of the plan.  He also highlighted the infrastructure issues particularly those relating to energy should be included as this infrastructure is required in order to support the plans.  He also stated that there needs to be a move towards imperfect action on this issue. 

Resolved:

That the Committee is asked to note the report.