Agenda item

This report seeks to provide the Executive with an update on the Local Transport Strategy.

Resolved:

                      i.         Noted the results of “Our Big Transport Consultation”, and instruct officers to prepare a Local Transport Strategy guided by the results of the consultation on the Local Transport Strategy’s policies in “Our Big Transport Conversation”. This new Local Transport Strategy will be presented to Executive for adoption later in 2024 so that it can form the basis of discussions about transport investment in York which will take place between City of York Council and the York and North Yorkshire Mayor;

                    ii.         Delegated authority to the Director of Transport, Environment and Planning, in consultation with the Director of Governance and Executive Member for Transport and Economy to publish technical pieces of work, which are required to progress transport plan making in York – as these pieces of work become available. This is likely to include plans to improve bus services, under York’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, the York Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan and various modelled assessments of York’s transport network;

                   iii.         To request that the Director of Environment, Transport and Planning develops a brief for a Movement and Place Plan for York and note that a further report about Supplementary Planning Documents to the Local Plan will be bought before Members later in 2024. This will include the transport Supplementary Planning Document;

                  iv.         Approved the proposed approach of delivering “quick wins” which reflect the results from the engagement process when this can be achieved within existing budgets and powers.

Reason:     To respond to the Our Big Transport Conversation

and develop a Local Transport Strategy to support the new Mayor in the development of a Transport Plan for York and North Yorkshire which reflects the challenges and views of York.

The Director of Transport, Environment and Planning introduced the report and apologised for the use of language in the original Annex B and noted that as a result the annex had been republished and amended as an agenda supplement. Regarding the report he highlighted that the Council had received significant and positive response to the consultation which strongly supported the themes in the Consultation of the Local Transport Strategy. He confirmed that the next steps would be to work towards a detailed strategy, that could be in place to work with the new York and North Yorkshire Mayor.

The Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency welcomed the outcome from the consultation showing support for the Council’s key policy areas. She highlighted the importance of the Local Transport Strategy would have in meeting the Council’s climate change commitments. She outlined the importance of finding quick wins and policies that delivered co benefits that improved green spaces, helped people move around the city sustainably, and reduced emissions.

The Executive Member for Economy & Transport apologised for the original language within Annex B. He highlighted that the Council needed to deliver on air quality, congestion, and to free up road space for public transport, cycling, and walking. He welcomed the results from the Local Transport Strategy consultation and noted that it showed that residents wanted change from the status quo.

Resolved:

                      i.         Noted the results of “Our Big Transport Consultation”, and instruct officers to prepare a Local Transport Strategy guided by the results of the consultation on the Local Transport Strategy’s policies in “Our Big Transport Conversation”. This new Local Transport Strategy will be presented to Executive for adoption later in 2024 so that it can form the basis of discussions about transport investment in York which will take place between City of York Council and the York and North Yorkshire Mayor;

                    ii.         Delegated authority to the Director of Transport, Environment and Planning, in consultation with the Director of Governance and Executive Member for Transport and Economy to publish technical pieces of work, which are required to progress transport plan making in York – as these pieces of work become available. This is likely to include plans to improve bus services, under York’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, the York Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan and various modelled assessments of York’s transport network;

                   iii.         To request that the Director of Environment, Transport and Planning develops a brief for a Movement and Place Plan for York and note that a further report about Supplementary Planning Documents to the Local Plan will be bought before Members later in 2024. This will include the transport Supplementary Planning Document;

                  iv.         Approved the proposed approach of delivering “quick wins” which reflect the results from the engagement process when this can be achieved within existing budgets and powers.

Reason:     To respond to the Our Big Transport Conversation

and develop a Local Transport Strategy to support the new Mayor in the development of a Transport Plan for York and North Yorkshire which reflects the challenges and views of York.