Agenda item - 2016/17 Local Transport Plan Capital Programme

Report of the Acting Executive Director, Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

That the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee:

1)           Recommends to request that Policy & Resources Committee agrees the 2016/17 Local Transport Plan capital programme budget allocation of £4.274 million to projects and programmes, as set out in Appendix 2 of this report; and

2)           Notes the indicative allocation of future LTP budgets to projects and programmes for 2017/18 and 2018/19 of £5.391million and £5.169 million to fund the Local Transport Plan 4-year Delivery Plan, as set out in paragraph 7.2 of this report.

75.1      The Committee considered a report of the Acting Executive Director, Environment, Development & Housing that requested the Committee to recommend to Policy & Resources Committee the 2016/17 Local Transport Plan (LTP) capital programme budget allocation of £4.274 million to projects and programmes and to note the indicative allocation of future LTP budgets to projects and programmes for 2017/18 and 2018/19 of £5.391 million and £5.169 million to fund the LTP 4-year Delivery Plan.

75.2      Councillor West asked for clarification that where conversion of pelican crossings were introduced under the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Package that this should also include toucans to allow cyclists to cross. Councillor West welcomed the increased allocation for highway drainage particularly in reference to Union Road. Councillor West supplemented it was important to address the long-term problem of road surface deterioration. Councillor West added that whilst he appreciated that investment in the seafront transport infrastructure had diminished the overall budget, he was disappointed with the lack of ambition and innovation in projects by comparison to the previous four year that could lead to a reduction in the success for funding applications. Councillor West stated that he was particularly disappointed with the lack of strategy in improving sustainable transport and the distinct lack of investment in cycling at less than half a per cent of the overall Plan as cycling now represented a huge part of travel in the city. Councillor West noted his frustration that cycling improvements to Dyke Road previously agreed by the committee subject to obtaining funding had not been identified at all within the report. Councillor West also noted his disappointment with the lengthy lack of progress on street lighting and as the issue represented a potential positive step for the council. Funding was available from the Green Investment Bank yet no advancement had been made in the past two years. Councillor West stated that in light of the lack of drive and the opportunity for alternative funding for street lighting, he would be moving a motion at Policy & Resources Committee to transfer the allocation to cycle infrastructure.

75.3      The Chair stated that the report was clear that funding for cycle infrastructure could and would be pursued through other sources such as the Local Strategic Transition Fund/Sustainable Travel Transition Fund.

75.4      The Head of Transport Policy & Strategy confirmed that conversions of existing pelican crossings under the ITS package would incorporate toucan facilities. Free-standing crossings and traffic lighting controls would also include toucans wherever that was possible. The Head Transport Policy & Strategy added that in terms of funding for cycling, a number of other projects and programmes did include provision for cyclists as part of their design. On the matter of street lighting, the Head of Transport clarified that officers had been working very hard on a complex issue, further complicated by the ending of the contractual accord with East Sussex County Council (ESCC) of street lighting maintenance. The council were currently consulting with an independent expert on the matter and drawing up a business case for a major replacement programme that would be submitted to Policy & Resources Committee in June 2016 via the Corporate Procurement Board and Modernisation Board.

75.5      Councillor Janio noted that LTP4 was reasonably well-funded compared to previous years and commended the quality and breadth of the report. Councillor Janio agreed that there was a lack of vision in some of the schemes and hoped that could be addressed.

75.6      The Chair stated that there was keen focus on delivery and what was being delivered matched the administration viewpoint in creating a sustainable transport system that readied the city for growth.

75.7      Councillor Atkinson noted extensive and historical issues on road joints in Graham Avenue and asked if the issue could be addressed as a priority in the road reconstruction programme.

75.8      The Chair stated she would take up this matter with officers.

75.9      Councillor Robins noted that Boundary Road/Station Road was not listed for funding for the next financial year yet he was under the impression that this area had been prioritised for funding and improvement by the committee previously.

75.10   The Head of Transport Policy & Strategy clarified that it was expected that funding would be required to develop and deliver the project in Boundary Road/Station Road in 2018/19 which was in line with the four-year LTP prioritisation agreed by the committee last year and in line with the council’s mid-term financial strategy.

75.11   Councillor Theobald asked officers if they expected improvements to be made on delivery of pedestrian crossings.

75.12   The Head of Transport stated that the council operated an annual priority list and had a dedicated pedestrian crossing allocation. There were adjustments in that lists according to priority and pedestrian crossings were delivered as best as could be done within resources. Demand was very high and sometimes alternative methods were considered on a site by site basis.

75.13   Councillor Janio asked on the progress on Hangleton/Grenadier Shopping Area Improvements that had been previously identified by the committee.

75.14   The Head of Transport Policy & Strategy clarified that the list at appendix 2 identified the priorities as approved by the committee in November which included the acknowledgment of an investigation into the Hangleton/Grenadier Shopping Area. In terms of progress, he understood that there had been a recent site visit and discussions on the matter.

75.15   RESOLVED-

1)    Recommends to request that Policy & Resources Committee agrees the 2016/17 Local Transport Plan capital programme budget allocation of £4.274 million to projects and programmes, as set out in Appendix 2 of this report; and

2)    Notes the indicative allocation of future LTP budgets to projects and programmes for 2017/18 and 2018/19 of £5.391million and £5.169 million to fund the Local Transport Plan 4-year Delivery Plan, as set out in paragraph 7.2 of this report.