Agenda item

Resolved: That the Transport Committee discuss the West Yorkshire Future Mobility Strategy as part of the wider West Yorkshire Transport Plan suite of documents and recommends it for discussion at the Combined Authority (for their approval).

The Transport Committee considered a report presenting the West Yorkshire Future Mobility Strategy for consideration and discussion.

The Future Mobility Strategy was developed in 2020 with the aim of examining opportunities with new technologies and innovations in transport, such as Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services, mobility hubs, and car clubs, and was considered earlier this year as part of the wider Connectivity Strategy engagement. Due to developments since its initial drafting, such as the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and the continuation of the pandemic, the Strategy was being reviewed for any needed updates with the intention of it being included for approval with the Connectivity Strategy as the December meeting of the Combined Authority.

Members requested more detail on the modal shift targets within the Strategy, with more evidence of how major schemes would attain their carbon pathway goals, including the potential to examine funding if this was evidence was not available. It was also highlighted that the mid-point targets listed were significantly different from those which had been previously approved, such as within the Carbon Emission Reduction Pathway. Officers advised that the listed targets had been set in 2017, before the Covid-19 pandemic, and that they could be re-examined going forward. 

Members also questioned what was currently being done on the priority of keeping women and girls safe, which was a key pledge by the Mayor. It was noted that this was currently primarily the responsibility of Transport Network police, and officers highlighted a campaign by British Transport Police in partnership with the rail industry to discourage unwanted attention on the railways, with the potential of expanding this to the bus network also being explored. Other initiatives to improve passenger safety were also discussed, such as the suicide prevention work done by rail operators, and the ‘Rail to refuge’ scheme, which had recently expanded to bus services by incorporating the use of the M Card. New technology and apps were also expected to play a key role in passenger safety going forward, and it was hoped that the Strategy would provide the tools and environment in which more bespoke services could be provided.

Following on from the discussion of safety in the previous item, Members questioned whether the reported concerns could potentially relate more to unwanted attention rather than mask-wearing. General road safety was also raised, and it was noted that the Future Mobility Strategy would link in with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Policing and Crime’s Vision Zero Strategy on this.

The importance of Demand Responsive Transport was highlighted, particularly in regards to the above-mentioned safety concerns. The current Flexibus trial in East Leeds had already generated positive feedback from vulnerable passengers. It was noted that as discussed in the BSIP, a further five other DRT schemes were currently planned for development in the region, subject to the availability of funding.

Members raised the following other questions and concerns:

·       The planned housing development at Dewsbury Riverside was noted as having poor infrastructure and accessibility, particularly in regards to the limited parking at Ravensthorpe station. It was questioned whether the bus service would be sufficient to take residents to key locations such as employment and education.

·       Concerns were raised over the name of the Future Mobility Strategy and whether it covered all the different aspects of the Strategy, or if it gave an impression of being primarily concerned with accessibility.

·       The low response rate to the 2020 consultation was questioned. However, officers advised that when public engagement was carried out earlier this year as part of the Connectivity Strategy, over 5000 responses had been received.

·       The benefits of high-speed internet connections on trains were discussed, with it being noted that the productivity benefit this enabled could encourage commuters to give up private car use.

·       Members questioned where the mobility hubs discussed in the Strategy would be located and suggested that locations in areas of deprivation would provide a strong benefit to those who may not have much access to transport. Similarly, smaller initiatives such as bike rental/borrowing schemes, potentially linked to community centres, would be very useful in these areas. The Committee’s previous work with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation was highlighted as being a useful starting point to this.

·       The Strategy’s discussion of a ‘gender neutral’ transport network was discussed. Officers noted that this referred to efforts to make the Strategy inclusive of all groups, and that it would be updated to match the BSIP in reflecting the wider discussion of inclusivity.

Resolved: That the Transport Committee discuss the West Yorkshire Future Mobility Strategy as part of the wider West Yorkshire Transport Plan suite of documents and recommends it for discussion at the Combined Authority (for their approval).