Agenda item

This report provides an update on the Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme 21/22 and the preparation for the 22/23 programme. 

D Laux, Head of Technical Services was in attendance and provided an introduction to the report which provided an update on the Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme for 2021 and the preparation for the 2022/23 programme.

Within the North Northumberland area there were 71 projects on the integrated transport side, of which 21 were complete, although some were design projects and included the following:

·       Togston North gateway signs and markings

·       Safety schemes at Thrum Mill and Debden Mill on the B6344

·       Fenwick to West Kyloe horse warning signs

·       Ingram and Branton gateway signage

A further 10 schemes had works orders issued and were either just about or had started these included:

·       Lucker footway and streetlighting scheme

·       Pedestrian crossing at the Leisure Centre in Berwick

·       Victoria Terrace, Alnwick pedestrian crossing

34 were in the design process and included:

·       Berwick Road in Wooler

·       St James Roundabout, West Street in Berwick

·       20 mph schemes in schools

·       Rural road safety schemes in Elingham and Rothbury

6 schemes were still waiting to go to the design team.

In relation to the maintenance programme there were 49 in the North Northumberland area, with 30 completed, 10 of which were surface dressing schemes and 15 resurfacing schemes, with the Berwick Old Bridge scheme also completed.  Another 10 had works orders issued and included:-

·       High Trewick to Netherton C176

·       Bamburgh to Glororum B1341

·       Swarland Mill to Longframlington on the B6345

·       Rockmidsteads U3089

There were a further 6 schemes still in the design phase.

Preparation was underway for the 2022/23 LTP however the funding would not be known until after the Government’s spending review.  Letters had been issued in July for County Councillors and Town and Parish Councils to put forward priorities for the LTP programme with a deadline of 8 October.  It was hoped that each area would have their own LTP workshop which would possibly be held virtually.

The following information was noted in response to questions from Members:-

·       Percy Drive, Amble a check would be made to see if funding had been allocated for this.

·       Any schemes which required additional phases should be included in the priorities for the forthcoming year.

·       Rumble strips would need to be included as a priority if they were desired.

·       Expensive schemes should still be included in priorities.

·       In respect of the Bamburgh to Glororum road improvements, if it had been picked up through the asset management information that there was a need for the scheme to carry on to a further phase then this would be picked up at some point but it would depend on other priorities within the County.

·        Supporting information would be looked at when considering priorities, however it was likely that there would be a reason why a footpath was overgrown and it was possible that it would be broken up even if uncovered.

·       Members advised that local knowledge was really important in the process and ensuring that Town and Parish Councils were well informed of what could be put forward and understood the process would be taken on board in preparation for next year’s process.

·       Work on the Berwick Bridge would be undertaken in stages.  The £450,000 work allocated for this year would start later this year and would probably continue into next year with a further stage starting the year after.  The total cost was not known.

Mr Laux was thanked for his attendance.

RESOLVED that the information be noted.