Agenda item

The report sets out the details of the draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme for 2022-23 for consideration and comment by the Local Area Council, prior to final approval of the programme by the Interim Executive Director of Planning and Local Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Local Services.

The report set out details of the draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme for 2022-23 for consideration and comment by the Local Area Council, prior to final approval of the programme by the Interim Executive Director of Planning and Local Services in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Environment and Local Services.

The Local Transport Plan grant allocation was determined for the Council by the Department of Transport (DfT) who had yet to announce the capital allocations for 2022/23.  At this stage, an indicative figure of just over £23 million had been assumed.

The Council’s Local Transport Plan would consist of improvements and maintenance schemes to address four key areas – walking and cycling; safety; roads; and bridges, structures and landslips.  Identifying road safety issues included consideration of priorities put forward by the County Council and Parish and Town Councils last year.  Appendices A – D set out the details of the programme.

The walking and cycling allocation was split between improvements for crossings, footpaths, bus stops and the design of permanent pedestrianisation in Alnwick, and maintenance of footways and cycleways and maintenance of the rights of way network. 

The Council continued with its initiative for the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans known as LCWIPs for the main towns in Northumberland and this would be consulted on in the near future.

It had been noted that a number of County Councillors and Parish and Town Councils had put forward priorities for the introduction of new cycleways and footways, which had been considered beyond the funding available through the LTP programme.  The details of those had been but captured separately so they could be considered for any future sources of external funding.  The details of the LTP Walking and Cycling Programme was set out in Appendix A, attached to the report.

Integrated Transport Programme and funding generally was concentrated to the safety of the highway network.  £695,000 was aimed at reducing the number and severity of road traffic causalities through a programme of local safety schemes.

The implementation of the 20 mph outside of schools would continue and £500,000 had been allocated to complete the programme.  107 schemes had been completed with a further 10 that had been issued for design.  An allocation of £350,000 had been made for refurbishment and renewal of existing signage and road markings.

A range of maintenance activities including resurfacing, patching, surface dressing, micro surfacing together with allocations through capital repairs for drainage and traffic signals was developed through asset management principles.

In addition to the LTP programme, the Council were planning to invest a £2m programme on U and C roads.  Details of the draft Roads Programme was attached as Appendix C.

An allocation of over £2 million had been made for bridge maintenance which included a programme of bridge strengthening and remained a key objective.

An allocation of £2,423,000 for landslips would enable stabilisation work to prevent deterioration and loss of use of the network with a major scheme at Todstead with a cost of £9.3 million and funded by NCC.  Details attached as Appendix D.

In response to questions from Members, the following comment were made:-

·            Lynemouth schools were included in the safer street for schools programme and details would be shared with the Local Member.

·            A site visit could be arranged with the Local Member, Officers and Portfolio Holder regarding the bridge and Ellington/Linton

·            The Authority had its own Sign Shop which was more cost effective and comments were taken on board regarding the signs.

·            Officers were commended on an excellent report.

Councillor Sanderson left the meeting at 5.39 pm.

·            Items on the reserve list would be looked into and be subject to discussion with senior management and the portfolio holder.

·            A list of schools for the 20 mph for the CBSV LAC area would be circulated to members

·            Mr Laux would discuss Riverbank Road with officers.  Riverbank Road had not been included as a priority last year, but would be considered in the U and C roads for next year

·            The Senior Programme Officer would investigate why traffic calming had not been considered suitable at Front Street, Ellington.

The Officers were thanked for the report and their attendance.

RESOLVED that the information be noted.