Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from public representatives Zaheer Khalil and Peter Melling.

Transport Committee members only.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting.

There were no items requiring the exclusion of the press or public.

A member commented that it would be more appropriate if Councillor Groves was listed as Chair of the Transport Committee instead of a Leeds City Councillor. It was also raised under minute 6 that the word used by Northern to describe their services was ‘diabolical’ and not ‘poor’.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 October be amended and approved.

The Chair introduced Stephen Waring of the Halifax and District Rail Action Group. The Action group is campaigning for the electrification of the Calder Valley Line. The Sub-Committee was informed of the potential benefits of rail electrification, including improved efficiency and economic and environmental impacts.

The Sub-Committee was provided with a presentation regarding the A629 project. The project aims to provide improved accessibility to Halifax and Huddersfield, particularly with regard to walking, cycling and bus infrastructure.

The Sub-Committee made the following comments:

·         The introduction of an express bus service which would alternate with the regular 503 service from Huddersfield to Halifax, calling at fewer stops and cutting journey time. The Sub-Committee expressed concerns that the express bus would not call at Elland.

The Sub-Committee was informed that a consultation would be held in Elland and that there would still be 4 buses an hour between Halifax and Huddersfield via Elland and that the express bus would call at Lowfield.

·         The Sub-Committee noted that cycle forums had been consulted on the planned improvement works.

·         The Sub-Committee queried the extent to which the planned work would improve air quality. The Sub-Committee was informed that it was difficult to quantify the benefits to air quality as a result of the works but that an shift from private car use to walking, cycling and bus use would prove beneficial to air quality.

·         A member expressed the view that in order to see a meaningful shift to bus patronage it was necessary to improve bus infrastructure, such as bus shelters and real time information services. The Sub-Committee heard that the project offered an alternative to car use by improving walking, cycling and bus infrastructure. First expressed their excitement with the project.

·         The Sub-Committee was informed that there would be a public consultation for 5 weeks that further thoughts could be fed into that.   

Resolved: That the presentation and the Sub-Committee’s feedback be noted.

The Open Forum section of the agenda was taken in tandem with operator updates for each item.

Arriva

Arriva informed the Sub-Committee of changes to services in the Calderdale area following the introduction of a new timetable. This included the introduction of the new 228 service from Brighouse to Huddersfield and timetable changes for the 255 and 256.

First

First provided the Sub-Committee with an update on local services. The Sub-Committee noted timetable changes to the 576 service in order to improve punctuality. First also provided the Sub-Committee with an update on cashless and contactless payments.

After the bus operator updates the Sub-Committee made the following comments:

·         A member expressed concerns about an article which suggested funding for buses could be cut. It was clarified that there was a shortfall in the transport levy and the Combined Authority was looking at ways o minimise impact on tendered and support services.

·         A member wished to state that the 547 Yorkshire Tiger service, which had been criticised in the past, was a much improved service.

·         It was noted that bus services in Southowram were poor and having a negative impact on bus patronage particularly for young people.

Northern

Northern informed the Sub-Committee that the strike action had been suspended with the role of conductors to be discussed. Northern reported that their train refurbishment was on schedule with pacers set to be phased out by the end of the year.

Northern outlined their approach to the December 2018 timetable changes and indicated the major changes forthcoming in the May 2019 timetable.

The following changes are expected to go ahead in May 2019:

·         Huddersfield – Wakefield extension to Castleford.

·         York – Preston train extension back to Blackpool

·         Leeds – Bradford – Manchester extension to Warrington & Chester.

After the rail operator updates the Sub-Committee made the following comments:

·         Timetabling information was too fragmented – spread across three timetables

·         Requested information regarding the introduction of a service from the Calder Valley to Manchester Airport.  The Sub-Committee was informed that the main issue preventing the introduction of the service was a lack of investment in Manchester. The Sub-Committee was informed that the Combined Authority was in discussion with Network rail to ascertain what was needed to improve.

·         A member queried if evening services could be improved in the area. Northern explained that opportunities to address this were limited as Network rail have right of access in the evening. 

Resolved: That the operator updates and the Sub-Committee’s feedback be noted.

The Sub-Committee considered a report and was given a presentation on ‘Planning for Growth: The City Region Connectivity Strategy.

It was reported that the Transport Committee had endorsed the commencement of a conversation with the public and stakeholders around the new 21^st century connectivity and services technologies required to address the economic and transport challenges facing West Yorkshire, including mass transit. 

Members’ discussed the strategy and the following points were made:

·         That the target of a 3.5% decrease in car journeys was unambitious.

·         That the electrification of the Calder Valley rail line was essential.

·         It was noted that the vision of a 300% increase in cycle journeys would require a significant investment in cycling infrastructure.

·         The Sub-Committee asked if operators were prepared for the projected increase in demand; 75% for rail and 25% for bus.

Resolved: That the presentation and the Sub-Committee’s feedback be noted.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on matters of information relating to the Calderdale district. The following points were raised:

·         The Sub-Committee was updated on the progress of the bus alliance.

·         Regarding the Budget update of the information report.

·         The Sub-Committee noted under the budget update that the proposal to move the costs of providing transport information to by funding by contribution by the operators was a way to make savings and still maintain a high quality service.

Resolved: That the information report be noted.