Issue - meetings

To seek approval for the informal response submitted to the consultation on the Worcestershire County Council Local Transport Plan 2017-2030.

Members considered the informal response submitted by Officers as part of the consultation on the Worcestershire Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2017 – 2030.  The informal response had been submitted to the County Council on 17th March 2017 in order to meet the consultation deadline and Member endorsement of the response was now being sought.

Officers explained that central government required the County Council to produce LTPs to set out objectives for developing transport plans.  The purpose of the consultation on the LTP was to set out the County Council’s aspirations and priorities for investing in the transport networks, including infrastructure, technology and services to support all relevant modes of transport including walking, cycling, rail, bus and community transport, as well as highways.

The informal response set out general comments and concerns that the Council had in relation to the LTP, and sought clarification on elements of this.  Members endorsed the response and in doing so noted that issues which had previously been raised with the County Council had not been addressed within the LTP.  Notably, there was a fundamental lack of regard within the LTP for strategic growth issues related to future housing needs of the Greater Birmingham Housing Market Area, and no mention of rail service.

RECOMMENDED that

1)          the informal response to the Worcestershire Local Transport Plan 2017 – 2030, attached at Appendix A to the report, for submission as the formal Council response be approved; and  

RESOLVED that

2)          the report be noted.