Agenda item - Investment Priority 5: Future Transport

(Lead Member: Cllr S Hinchcliffe, Director: Melanie Corcoran)

Resolved:

With respect to the West Yorkshire Rail Accessibility Package the Combined Authority approved that:

(i) The West Yorkshire Rail Accessibility Package proceed through decision point 2 (strategic outline case) and work commence on activity 4 (full business case)

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority costs of up to £5,000,000 be given. The total scheme value is £20,042,450.

(iii) Development costs of £337,100 be approved in order to progress the scheme to decision point 4 (full business case), taking the total scheme approval to £583,100.

(iv) The Combined Authority enter into a funding agreement, under Section 56 of the Transport Act, with Northern, for expenditure of up to £583,100.

(v) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route and tolerances outlined in the submitted report. Where required, any future committee level approvals be delegated to the Transport Committee.

With respect to Mobility Hubs the Combined Authority approved that:

(i) The Mobility Hubs scheme proceeds decision point 2 (strategic outline case) and work commence on activity 4 (full business case).

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £3,312,811. The total scheme value is £3,312,811.

(iii) Development costs of £200,000 be approved in order to progress the scheme to decision point 4 (full business case) taking the total scheme approval to £310,000.

(iv) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route and tolerances outlined in the submitted report. Where required, any future committee level approvals be delegated to the Transport Committee.

With respect to the Leeds City Centre Active Travel Links (North and South) the Combined Authority approved that:

(i) The Leeds City Centre Active Travel Links (North and South) scheme proceed through decision point 2 (strategic outline case) and work commence on activity 4 (full business case).

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £3,304,000. The total scheme value is £3,815,488.

(iii) Development costs of £400,000 be approved in order to progress the scheme to decision point 4 taking the total scheme approval to £500,000.

(iv) The Combined Authority enter into an addendum to the existing funding agreement with Leeds City Council for expenditure of up to £500,000.

(v) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route and tolerances outlined in the submitted report. Where required, any future committee level approvals be delegated to the Transport Committee.

With respect to the Levelling Up - Bus Enhancement Package the Combined Authority approved that:

(i) The Levelling Up - Bus Enhancement Package proceed through decision point 2 (strategic outline case) and work commence on development of a programme business case to government and individual scheme business cases.

(ii) An indicative approval to the Combined Authority’s contribution of £47,628,832 be given. The total programme cost is £47,628,832.

(iii) Approval of the delivery costs of £1,500,000 for the Thirsk Row bus hotspot scheme be given, and work continue on activity 5 (delivery). This will replace the existing £1,500,000 CRSTS approval.

(iv) Development costs of up to £3,950,000 be approved in order to progress the programme business case to government and to support the development of individual scheme business cases up to activity 4 (full business case).

(v) The Combined Authority enter into an addendum to an existing funding agreement with Wakefield Council for the A639 Park Road scheme for expenditure of up to £970,000.

(vi) The Combined Authority enter into an addendum to an existing funding agreement with Calderdale Council for the A629 North Halifax scheme for expenditure of up to £2,110,000.

(vii) Future approvals be made in accordance with the assurance pathway and approval route outlined in the submitted report, subject to remaining within the tolerances outlined.

The Combined Authority considered five schemes for progression. Members noted that several schemes listed within the report had already been approved by the Transport Committee, and the additional schemes would provide further benefit to the people of West Yorkshire. The schemes included the ‘Rail Accessibility Package’ which would improve the accessibility of 64 rail stations, and the ‘Mobility Hubs’, ‘Leeds City Centre Active Travel Links’, and ‘Bus Enhancement Package’ would provide an array of benefits to commuters and those using public transport for leisure activities.

Officers explained the ‘Rail Accessibility Package’ was led by Northern, however there was insufficient funding to cover all of the West Yorkshire rail stations and so required some CRSTS funding to supplement the project. All stations would benefit, and 44 stations had been prioritised for larger-scale upgrades. Members welcomed the accessibility upgrades, especially for stations such as Todmorden.

Members raised concerns that rural communities do not have the same level of access to public transport, and suggested more partnership working could help to alleviate some of the issues that frequently affect them. The mayor noted that rural communities are frequently engaged with, and their views considered. Members added that effective public transport solves many issues, though the national financial position presents challenges regarding the implementation of projects in all locations where they were required.

Members queried if the provisions for e-scooter facilities suggested that e-scooters were permitted on the public highway, and that antisocial behaviour was already prevalent within some areas. The Mayor responded that there were opportunities for pilot schemes as had taken place in other authority areas, and when the scooters are well-regulated they can act as a viable alternative to cars. Officers added the inclusion of e-scooters would act as future-proofing based on the eventual decision made by the government.

Members noted that e-scooters are currently banned from buses and trains and raised concerns that commuters may face difficulty using multiple modes of transport. The Mayor responded there are challenges for cyclists regarding the requirement to pre-book ahead of train journeys. Officers added that e-scooters were currently only permitted within the trial areas and so some operators had banned them from services since they are technically illegal to use outside of those areas.