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Agenda item

Agenda item

Road Investment Strategy (RIS)

To consider the approach to developing TfN’s recommendations for investment in the Strategic Road Network.

Lead:  Owen Wilson

Minutes:

6.1             Members received the report from the Head of Major Roads who highlighted the key points.

 

6.2          Cllr Cooper asked about the network drivers and enquired if they are robust enough to help with the long term rebalancing of the North.

 

6.3          Cllr Salter commented that the report comes across as “anti-car”.  He highlighted the fact that decarbonisation has always been a key focus for Members and for the organisation and suggested that this should be done by having hydrogen and electric vehicles rather than reducing the number of cars on the road.

  

6.4          Cllr Jones requested an update on North West quadrant project study which is aimed at alleviating congestion on the M60 Junctions 8-18.

 

6.5          Cllr Davison expressed his concern about the lack of electric vehicle chargers and infrastructure. 

6.6          In response to the Committee’s comments the Head of Major Roads explained that this work provides an initial view as on there is the greatest need for interventions on the Strategic Road Network, also that conversations on the priorities for investment were ongoing with local authority officers. And explained that this work does not focus on specific solutions at each location, which would need to be developed in partnership with local stakeholders and which should deliver Place based outcomes appropriate to the location.

In response to Cllr Cooper’s question on network drivers and specifically the connectivity metric he explained that it is important to consider the relative importance of roads both in terms of traffic flow and the level of service in terms of connectivity, the latter being a particular issue for more remote areas often particularly reliant on road connectivity to access goods and services.  a

Addressing Cllr Salter’s comments on being viewed as anti-car he explained that TfN is carefully considering how to communicate messaging on roads. This needs to reflect the ambitions set out in the emerging Strategic Transport Plan and find the right balance in highlighting the importance of road investment to underpin good transport connectivity, whilst promoting the benefits of supporting modes other than the car as the first choice, wherever practicable. 

He explained that electric vehicles need to be part of the solution and stated that Transport for the North has undertaken significant work with partners and local authority officers on evidencing the requirement for electric vehicle charging.

With regards to the Manchester North West Quadrant he stated TfN and TfGM have been updated on National Highways work exploring a package of potential interventions for consideration, and potential delivery in the RIS3 or RIS4 periods. ( e.g. junction improvements, additional capacity on sections of the M60). 

 

6.7          In summarising the Chair highlighted the importance of messaging on this issue.  He informed the Committee that just under 2,000 people a year die on roads as a result of physical accident whilst 10,000 die from emissions attributed to road traffic.  Additionally, he highlighted the importance of a good road network for those in more rural areas that are not as well connected.

Resolved:

That the comments of the Scrutiny Committee on Transport for the North’s approach to preparing recommendations for RIS be noted.

Supporting documents: