Agenda and minutes

Venue: Reception Room, Huddersfield Town Hall

Items
No. Item

10.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

An apology for absence was received from public representative Kelvyn Waites.

11.

Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Transport Committee members only.

Minutes:

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

12.

Exempt Information - Possible exclusion of the press and public

Minutes:

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

13.

Minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2018 pdf icon PDF 128 KB

Minutes:

Under minute 8 of the concerns raised at the previous meeting members wished to clarify that the frustration regarding the lack of time was held by members of the Sub-Committee and not one member alone.

 

Under minute 8 members reiterated the need to alternate venues between Huddersfield and Dewsbury.  It was also noted that it would be preferable to use the Huddersfield Town Hall Council Chambers in future and look into the possibility of webcasting the meeting.

 

Resolved: That the minutes of the previous meeting be approved.

14.

Open Forum

Minutes:

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

15.

Operator Updates

Minutes:

Arriva provided an update to the Sub Committee regarding the upcoming changes to bus services in North Kirklees which aim to improve services and increase patronage. A member of the Sub-Committee submitted alternative proposals to Arriva who will respond direct.

 

Councillor Bolt presented a petition entitled ‘Save the 253 Bus’. The Sub-Committee was informed that the petition would be considered at the next meeting of the Transport Committee on the 15 March.

 

A representative from Mirfield Free Grammar attended the meeting to express concerns regarding the impact which the services changes would have on their students. Issues raised included potential lateness due to timetable changes and concerns around longer journeys with safeguarding concerns exacerbated by sixth formers in plain clothes. Arriva and officers from the Combined Authority informed the Sub-Committee that they were investigating this issue and will make the necessary arrangements. 

 

A member noted the lack of pop up sessions in Mirfield given that many of the services changes impacted that area of Kirklees. Arriva informed the Sub-Committee that Mirfield had not originally been selected as it lacked a central point to capture customers but stated that they would be happy to have a pop up session in Mirfield if that was desired. An additional pop session was agreed to at Mirfield Grammar. 

 

The Sub-Committee expressed concerns regarding the adequacy of information and publicity around the upcoming service changes. It was also suggested that service destinations use ‘via’ more to promote destinations.

 

Councillor Smaje was in attendance and raised concerns about the possibility that some services in North Kirklees contravened the Combined Authority’s policy of a maximum 10 minute walk to a bus stop / shelter. The application of this policy was explained by officers.

 

A query was raised around the 324 service which is operated by First during the day and Yorkshire Tiger in the evening and that Yorkshire Tiger should accept first tickets.

 

First presented the Sub-Committee with a handout which provided an update on its services.

 

Jean Margetts submitted a paper to First and the Combined Authority following her observations and social media survey on the Colne Valley corridor services.

 

A member criticised the decision to withdraw the last trip of the 138 service at 17:55 which meant that no service was provided at peak times in the evening.

 

Transpennine reported a marked punctuality improvement of around 20% following their December 2018 timetable changes. Transpennine provided an update on the new Nova 3 and Nova 1 trains each with five carriages which are expected to come into service in Spring and Summer respectively. The Sub-Committee was advised about the changes to cycle reservations on trains, the new facilities at Dewsbury station, including a waiting shelter, toilets and accessibility improvements at Marsden.  

 

The Sub-Committee raised performance issues with the service at Slaithwaite. It was also noted that Transpennine website does not sell the cheapest tickets between Slaithwaite and Manchester. Transpennine informed the Sub-Committee that they would feed this back to their officers.

 

Northern informed the Sub-Committee that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Consultation Items pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 21st 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:

 

·         A member queried whether the plans were Leeds-Centric. The Sub-Committee was informed that the current plans were a starting point to be further developed across the districts.

·         Whether a 3.5% decrease in car trips is ambitious enough?

·         Connectivity in the south-west of Kirklees was underdeveloped in the plans.

·         The possibility of re-opening rail lines and the need for better cycle routes.

·         Concerns were raised regarding the importance of strategic oversight across the districts in order to strengthen key corridors.   

·         Councillor Smaje also questioned the ease of access to hospitals via bus routes.

 

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

 

17.

Information Report pdf icon PDF 140 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee considered an information report on matters relating to the Kirklees district. The following points were raised:

 

·         The importance of serving new housing at Dewsbury’s riverside was stressed.

·         Questions were raised regarding 2.48 of the information report regarding the engagement with walking and cycling groups.

·         The Sub-Committee wished to express its thanks to both Diane Groom and Neale Wallace of the Combined Authority as this was the last round of DCSC meetings for both.

 

Resolved: That the information report be noted.