Agenda item

This report asks the Executive Member to consider a number of options for the reinstatement of a public transport service along Temple Lane, Copmanthorpe.

RESOLVED: That the Executive Member agrees to:

i)              For a trial period of 6 months, and subject to costs being retained within the existing budget limits, to vary the number 21 bus service in line with the timetable suggested in Annex C page 71 of the Officer report;

ii)            That consideration be given by Officers as to whether a clockwise or counter clockwise route would optimise usage of the service;

iii)          That the numbers using the service be carefully monitored and reported to an Executive Member meeting towards the end of the 6 month trial period;

iv)          In the event of this proposed revision to the 21 service proving to be unaffordable, then Officers be authorised to proceed to establish a shared hire car service to serve the Temple Lane area without the need for a further reference to a Decision Session.

REASON:                  In light of representations received these proposals potentially offer the most cost effective achievable means of providing a public transport service to meet the unmet travel demands of the residents of the Temple Lane area of Copmanthorpe.

The Executive Member considered a report that detailed a number of options for reinstatement of a public transport service along Temple Lane, Copmanthorpe.

It was reported that the following representations had been received since the agenda had been published:

• Una Dalton and Nigel Brown on behalf of residents and bus passengers around Temple Lane.  They expressed support for the reinstatement of the No 21 bus service along Temple Lane for two days per week.
• Yvonne Cook, Clerk to Acaster Malbis Parish Council, who supported the provision of a bus service on six days per week.
• Carol Green who confirmed that Bishopthorpe Parish Council would prefer the 21 service to the village to remain as a daily service.
• Christine Oldroyd, resident of Mount Pleasant and regular bus user, who referred to the change of options but who supported the provision of a car or community transport service for Temple Lane.
• Julian Sturdy, in support of the reintroduction of the No 21 Service for 2 days per week on Temple Lane as set out in the report.
• Derek Bowen, Copmanthorpe Parish Council in support of the option put forward by Mrs Dalton and Mr Brown.

Officers updated that a further response had been received from Bishopthorpe Parish Council reiterating their earlier expression of preference for retention of a six day a week service on a standard route, in the interests of simplicity and meeting the needs of the majority of passengers.

Mrs Dalton, made representations on behalf of users of the service. She referred to a number of elderly residents who had previously used the service and who now found it difficult to visit the doctor and local shops and to continue to lead independent lives. She confirmed that provision of a service on two days per week would be a vast improvement and that hopefully this could be agreed for a six month trial period.

Councillor Healey, confirmed that since the bus service had ceased residents of Temple Lane had contacted him in supporting the option to provide a two day service.

The Executive Member then gave consideration to the following options:

Option (a)       Provide a two or three day a week public transport link from Acaster Malbis to either Askham Bar or York City Centre using either bus or shared car options.

Option (b)       Extend First York Service 13, either in whole or part, to a new terminus in Temple Lane.

Option (c)       Join First York Service 13 (Monks Cross – Copmanthorpe) to Service 11 (Ashley Park – Bishopthorpe) via Temple Lane and Appleton Road.

Option (d)       Divert some or all Yorkshire Coastliner services from Hallcroft Lane/Top Lane via Copmanthorpe and Bishopthorpe to and from Tadcaster Road.

Option (e)       Revise the new Service 21 to run along Temple Lane and return between Acaster Malbis and Bishopthorpe.

Option (f)        Revise the new Service 21 to run some journeys each day via Bishopthorpe and some journeys via Copmanthorpe.

Option (g)       Revise the new Service 21 to run via Bishopthorpe on some days and Copmanthorpe on others.

Option (h)       Revise the new Service 21 to run a one way loop (Acaster Malbis – Copmanthorpe – Colton – Bolton Percy – Appleton Roebuck – Acaster Malbis) linked to existing York – Bishopthorpe route.

The Executive Member confirmed that this had proved to be a difficult issue to deal with given the low number of public transport users living on Temple Lane. He stated that he had felt that it would be better to provide a service 21 loop for a period of 6 months, if this was affordable and to allow for usage to be monitored.

RESOLVED: That the Executive Member agrees to:

i)              For a trial period of 6 months, and subject to costs being retained within the existing budget limits, to vary the number 21 bus service in line with the timetable suggested in Annex C page 71 of the Officer report; ^1.

ii)            That consideration be given by Officers as to whether a clockwise or counter clockwise route would optimise usage of the service; ^2.

iii)          That the numbers using the service be carefully monitored and reported to an Executive Member meeting towards the end of the 6 month trial period; ^3.

iv)          In the event of this proposed revision to the 21 service proving to be unaffordable, then Officers be authorised to proceed to establish a shared hire car service to serve the Temple Lane area without the need for a further reference to a Decision Session. ^4.

REASON:                  In light of representations received these proposals potentially offer the most cost effective achievable means of providing a public transport service to meet the unmet travel demands of the residents of the Temple Lane area of Copmanthorpe.