Open session for members of the public to ask a question, raise a concern or provide feedback.
Minutes:
A query was raised regarding the availability of a database of bus cancellations to discover any potential patterns with a view to addressing them. Officers responded that operators have become better at recording cancellations in real time and informing passengers via appropriate means. Driver shortages are not as frequent as during the height of the pandemic but incidences still occur and operators are being impacted differently. Operators do record any cancelled services and share this information with the Combined Authority, and there are further avenues to be explored regarding sharing this information. Wherever services are cancelled, less frequent services are prioritised for staff cover.
It was raised that it has been difficult to keep track of changes to services made since as a result of the pandemic, and it was asked if there is a record of any such changes available to ensure all services are restored. Officers confirmed there is a record kept of changes to services, and though it is hoped that all services can be fully restored there are funding announcements due to be made in the Autumn of 2022 that may affect the levels of service that operators can provide. Regarding a list of services it was confirmed that operators are required to register any service changes publicly. There is also an upcoming review of bus services which will inform the levels of funding provided by the Combined Authority to ensure that important bus services are not lost.
It was noted that there is a prevalence of North Yorkshire residents travelling to West Yorkshire stations for commuting due to factors including lower train fares and parking charges at these stations, and as a result increasing the congestion in these areas for local residents. Officers confirmed that there are park and ride schemes operating around the airport and train stations, for which the main aim is to discourage traffic from unnecessarily driving into the city centre. It is accepted that some users will travel from nearby authorities but the system overall reduces road traffic for everyone. There are some drawbacks of this including the amount of available parking, however the Combined Authority has commissioned a review of bus and rail park and ride services for West Yorkshire which should provide further insight into future developments.
Concerns were raised regarding errors in signage on the new bus maps including missing service routes and discrepancies with route names and assigned colours among other issues. It was queried how these points should be raised and how they will be addressed. Officers gave thanks for the feedback and acknowledged that even with the improvements made to the bus signage there will always be further issues to resolve. Officers requested any issues to be sent via email to an address provided to the members, so they can be addressed by the appropriate teams.
Concerns were raised regarding the proposed works for the Horsforth roundabout following a previous consultation. It was suggested the works will not improve the flow of traffic and will continue to cause congestion for car and bus passengers around the airport and lead to further cancellations of bus services due to unpredictable traffic conditions. Officers confirmed the works are going out for consultation, and all schemes aim towards improving the journey for buses and active travel users without additional capacity for cars. Proposals can be complex such as changing the way signals work for one part of a roundabout will improve the flow for the whole roundabout. Officers provided an email address and a link to Connecting Leeds to the meeting attendees to pass on any feedback, and encouraged both negative and positive feedback if improvements are made.
It was noted that work on the White Rose rail station is due to begin soon, and that Northern Powerhouse rail from Leeds to Manchester will use the line. It was queried if the extra demand has been accounted for in line with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Rail Vision target of four trains per hour. The plans for Thorpe Park station have a provision for increasing the number of tracks in future to meet demand, and it was questioned if the White Rose station has anything similar. Officers responded that the station is currently in the final stages of an agreement to begin work with the project delivered in three years’ time. The initial aim was to work toward two trains per hour and at present that remains to be the case. There are still concerns regarding the levels of services offered by operators and how the changing commuting and leisure will affect demand, but the situation will be under constant review to ensure all users get most out of the railways and car traffic is reduced. Operators added that the track towards the White Rose station location is located on a narrow embankment and could not be easily extended to accommodate four tracks, however the signalling is being upgraded as a part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade which should allow for more trains to use the existing tracks.
It was raised that Cottingley station is due to close due to a low demand. Officers responded that the new station will provide a safer and more accessible option, and the creation of a new station will increase awareness and options for local residents.