Issue - items at meetings - LSTF Joint Bid - Sustainable Transport Solutions for England's two newest National Parks

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

1.         That the committee:

(a)      Notes the success of the Sustainable Transport Solutions for England’s Two Newest National Parks bid and support its continued development.

2 .       Agrees:

(a)      That the Council should continue to work in partnership with Hampshire County Council and six other partner authorities: East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council, Surrey County Council, Wiltshire County Council and the New Forest & South Downs National Park Authority  to deliver the objectives outlined in the bid;

(b)       Authorises the Strategic Director of Place to sign a formal partnership Joint Working Agreement with the other authorities confirming the detail of the joint working arrangements. A copy of the proposed partnership agreement is appended to this report (Appendix 3).

50.1         The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place that         provided a summary of the Sustainable Transport Solutions for South Downs and New Forest National Parks and made recommendations to forward the project. The report was supplemented by a presentation.

50.2         The Chair stated that the report focussed on the successful partnership bid made with neighbouring local transport authorities that share a footprint in the two national parks, for funding from Local Sustainable Transport Fund.

The Chair commended the proposals to enhance sustainable access to the parks, through supporting better cycle and walking access from rail stations, supporting our Breeze Buses and through offering information on sustainable travel choices to visitors ahead of arrival.

The Chair added that with 85% of visitors to the South Downs national park currently arriving by car, this investment in sustainable travel is vital to achieving not only a reduction in car travel, but in improving access to the countryside for those who didn’t own a car.

50.3         Councillor Mitchell stated that Stanmer Park was a key gateway in the city and asked if improvements were planned for this area.

50.4         The Transport Planner replied that there was a Stanmer park masterplan and the Transport team would seek to assist with that project.

50.5         The Chair supplemented that investment for Stanmer Village and Stanmer Park were being worked on. He added that recent investment in the Lewes Road transport links would help.

50.6         RESOLVED-

1.         That the committee:

(a)      Notes the success of the Sustainable Transport Solutions for England’s Two Newest National Parks bid and support its continued development.

2 .       Agrees:

(a)      That the Council should continue to work in partnership with Hampshire County Council and six other partner authorities: East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council, Surrey County Council, Wiltshire County Council and the New Forest & South Downs National Park Authority  to deliver the objectives outlined in the bid;

(b)       Authorises the Strategic Director of Place to sign a formal partnership Joint Working Agreement with the other authorities confirming the detail of the joint working arrangements. A copy of the proposed partnership agreement is appended to this report (Appendix 3).