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 Local Area Council received a report which set out the draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme for 2022-23 for consideration and comment 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.  (A copy of the report is enclosed with the signed minutes).

The Service Director – Local Services reported that final confirmation from Department for Transport funding was awaited; but a programme totalling nearly £23.5 million had been assumed, based on the allocation received the previous year and an informal indication.

The programme was split across four keys areas and had been devised following a review of the maintenance needs of the highways asset, identified road safety issues, potential improvements to the highway and transport network, and following consultation with Town and Parish Councils along with Local Ward Members, to identify local priorities.  Appendices A – D set out the details of the programme. This included:

£1.3 million Walking and Cycling

£2.1 million Safety Improvements

£15.275 million Road Maintenance

£4.7 million Bridges, Structures and Landslips

He highlighted the following:

·        The walking and cycling allocation was split between improvements for crossings, footways, bus stop waiting areas and maintenance of footways, cycleways and the rights of way network.  An additional £1.5 million was proposed within the capital programme for the development and delivery of cycling and walking schemes within the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans which covered the main towns.  Suggestions which were beyond the LTP programme had been captured separately and would be considered in the future if sources of funding became available.

·        The Integrated Transport Improvement Funding concentrated on safety at high-risk sites and included traffic management activity, speed reduction schemes and completion of the 20mph school programme.  107 out of 161 of the 20mph schemes had been implemented to date, 10 issued for construction and 44 at the design stage.  Other works included replacement of signs and road markings, road maintenance and capital repairs to the infrastructure.  An additional £2million had been proposed within the capital programme for investment in U and C roads and footways.

·        Strengthening bridges in Tynedale included C279 at Blue Gables, C205 at Middleburn and U8177 at Garden House and 2 landslips schemes at U5034 Blindburn and A686 north of Lightburks.  A major scheme of £9.3 million over the next 2 financial years was proposed to resolve the longstanding landslip at Todstead.

The following information was provided in response to questions:

·        It was confirmed that the £1.5 million proposed in the capital programme for the delivery of cycling and walking schemes was in addition to the £1.3 million LTP allocation.

·        20 mph flashing signs were advisory where implemented for 1-hour periods for school opening and closures and could not be enforced by the police.  Permanent limits were enforceable.

Members made the following comments:

·        It was important that cycling and walking infrastructure was improved across the county, not just the main towns.

·        There was disappointment that recently renewed road markings, paid for from Members Local Improvement Schemes had worn away quickly; these should be renewed regularly.

·        More funding was required to address rural road safety issues than the £175,000 allocation.

·        Hexham Town Council were keen to pilot a scheme which implemented a uniform 20mph across the whole town.  The Services Director – Local Services explained that there were safety concerns regarding a blanket approach across an entire area as the speed limit needed to be commensurate with the road conditions as it could be ignored unless there were engineering solutions or control measures.  The viability of this was being considered.

The Chair thanked officers involved in the preparation and delivery of the LTP programme.

RESOLVED that:

a)      The report be received and noted.

b)      Members’ comments be considered in the finalisation of the LTP Programme for 2022-23.