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Minutes of a meeting of the DOCPROPERTY CommitteeName \* MERGEFORMAT Cheshire and Warrington Local Transport Body
held on DOCPROPERTY MeetingDateLegal \* MERGEFORMAT Friday, 6th April, 2018 at DOCPROPERTY MeetingLocation \* MERGEFORMAT Chester Town Hall-Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HJ
PRESENT
DOCVARIABLE "ChairPresentShortRolesList" \* MERGEFORMAT MrPWaterman (Chairman)
Councillor DOCVARIABLE "VicechPresentShortRolesList" \* MERGEFORMAT BClarke (Vice-Chairman)
Councillor DOCVARIABLE "MembersPresentShortList" \* MERGEFORMAT GWilliams
Officers in attendance
David Boyer Warrington Borough Council
Philip Cox - Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership
David Golding Network Rail
Fiona Hore Cheshire West and Chester
Roy Newton Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership
Richard Perry Department for Transport
Andrew Ross Cheshire East Council
Cherry Foreman Cheshire East Council
Councillors in attendance
Councillor M Parsons Cheshire East Council
Welcome, Introductions and Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R Bailey and H Mundry.
Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
Minutes of Previous meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 2017 were approved as a correct record.
Public Speaking Time/Open Session
Action for the A51
Matthew Waterhouse of the Action for the A51 Group Steering Committee spoke on the urgent need for a strategic review of the complete length of the A51 from Nantwich to Chester. The overall volume of traffic and the high number of HGVs using it meant a sustained and targeted investment programme, planned for its whole length not just specific problem areas, was vital.
The CWLEP responded that the Draft Transport Strategy, to be considered later in the meeting, included a number of short term priorities of which this was one. Current proposals included a study to consider options to tackle capacity constraints and network resilience along the A51 corridor between the M6 and the A51; there was also a Local Growth Fund Scheme to remove 3 specific pinch points between Tarvin and Chester. It was reported that finance for the strategic study was currently being assembled.
Phillip Jackson of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils also spoke in support of the need for this review.
Classic Compatible Trains and HS2
Andrew Needham asked whether consideration was being given to the use of classic compatible trains on HS2.
Richard Perry of the DfT responded that bi-mode trainsets were being considered for use on the section between Sheffield and Leeds; these would be able to be used for short distances on HS2 infrastructure to support enhanced connectivity between northern cities. He undertook to respond in more detail in writing.
It was also reported that the classic compatible route from Stafford to Macclesfield via Stoke could be extended to Manchester; rolling stock was however a matter for the franchisee.
A51 South of Nantwich Newcastle Rd/Ellwood Way/London Road
Phillip Jackson spoke on behalf of Stapeley Parish Council regarding the volume of traffic at this junction and in the vicinity. The regular queues had an adverse knock-on effect on adjacent junctions and roundabouts. In addition there were safety concerns due to the road camber at the roundabout.
Officers were aware of these matters and as part of the M6 study some funding was available to tackle the knock-on effects of traffic using the A500 when there were problems on the motorway. It was AGREED that the camber would be looked at further by Cheshire East Council to see if there were means by which it could be improved.
Ellesmere Port/Helsby Railway Line
Cedric Green of the North Cheshire Rail Users Group spoke on their support for a more useable service on this line, and requested that it be brought forward on the list of priorities. The existing limited trains did not run at suitable times for either local people to get to work, for students, or provide a service to the many new residential developments.
The Chairman and the Board fully supported this request but said that to date it had not been possible to secure the interest of a rail franchisee. It was hoped however that now TfN was a statutory body with Rail North under its auspices there would be further opportunities for this to be discussed; the Chairman undertook to do so at its next meeting.
Sub-Regional Transport Strategy
Consideration was given to the latest draft of the Sub-Regional Transport Strategy. It was noted that responses were still being received and also that Cheshire East Council wanted to include a reference to a proposed study on the A50. It was however anticipated that the final amendments would be completed by the end of the following week in preparation for going out to consultation in May for 12 weeks.
In discussing the proposed Stakeholder Engagement Plan it was noted that care needed to be taken to avoid stakeholder fatigue and that a focussed and targeted process would be undertaken; wherever possible existing meetings and events would be used in conjunction with electronic means of communication.
RESOLVED
That approval be given to the draft Sub-Regional Transport Study and for it to go out to stakeholder engagement.
That approval of minor amendments be delegated to the Chief Executive of the Local Enterprise Partnership, in consultation with the Chairman of the Local Transport Body
Sustainable Travel Access Fund Update
Consideration was given to the proposed allocation of funding from the 5 million Sustainable Travel Access Fund. Local Authorities had been invited to submit bids and 8 had been received which, following assessment, had resulted in the distribution now proposed.
RESOLVED
That the proposed distribution of the Sustainable Travel Access Fund be endorsed subject to satisfactory business cases being developed.
Rail Update
Updates were given on the following matters:-
Governments Response to the Crewe Hub Consultation
The Government response on this was considered to be very positive but pressure needed to be maintained for wider connectivity. Recent agreement to Crewe being the first all digital station was especially welcomed and it would relieve many associated problems across the wider region
DfTs Rail Market Led Proposals Guidance; and
DfT New Approach for Rail Enhancement Schemes
The Government was aiming to lever in funding from innovative ideas and so reduce the burden on taxpayers and fare payers. These Government reports set out the process for engaging the DfT.
Mid Cheshire and Middlewich Railway Lines Study
Consideration was given to a proposal to establish a working group to oversee the work of consultants to assess the potential for running passenger services along this line to the Crewe Hub, and that it should include a DfT representative.
It was noted that the wider stakeholder group would include the DfT, Network Rail, the Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association, the Mid Cheshire Development Board, Middlewich Town Council, the CPRE, Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, other key local stakeholders and local MPs. The Transport Portfolio Holders from the two Cheshire Authorities would also be invited to attend.
West and Wales Prospectus next steps
It was reported that this prospectus had been well received at its recent Parliamentary launch. A working group now needed to be established and it was proposed that the same groups be used as that for the Crewe Hub, with the same officer group arrangements and the Area 7 rail working group. The Chief Executive of the LEP reported that he was due to have further discussions with the DfT about securing wider connectivity.
Golborne Link
It was reported that Warrington Council remained strongly opposed to proposals for that section of HS2 planned to provide a connection across the west coast main line, in the region of Goldborne, between Warrington Bank Quay and Wigan North West Stations. Extreme difficulty had been encountered in trying to arrange a meeting with HS2 to discuss the proposals. Discussions with the DfT had however been promising. It was hoped that the new status of TfN as a statutory body would be of assistance in the future on projects such as the development of Piccadilly Station.
RESOLVED
That the updates be noted, and the proposals for the Mid Cheshire and Middlewich Lines Study (4), and the West Wales Prospectus next steps (5) above, be endorsed.
TfN Update
An oral update was given on recent developments with special account being taken of the first meeting, held the day before, since TfN had been made the first statutory Sub-National Transport Body (SNB). The partnership, comprising the 19 constituent local authorities of Local Transport Authorities in the North, would be governed through the TfN Members Board the governance arrangements for which were in the process of being finalised. The vast quantity of work and tight timescales were recognised by all concerned.
Consideration was given to the draft response to TfNs Strategic Transport Plan consultation, the closing date for responses being 17 April. It was planned to be a high level strategy with the emphasis on key issues and responsibilities. With reference to rail it was reported that further comments in respect of the Crewe Hub were to be incorporated into the final response to maintain consistency with the HS2 response.
RESOLVED
That the draft response to TfNs Strategic Transport Plan consultation be approved, subject to any LTB amendments.
Transforming Cities Fund
Consideration was given to how to how best to coordinate a response to a call for proposals from the DoT. The fund had been created for capital investment in transport to increase productivity and spread prosperity through investment in public and sustainable transport in some of the largest city regions. Half the fund had already been allocated to Mayoral Combined Authorities with the remainder to be allocated by a competitive process to a selected ten city regions.
There was no definition of a city region but the fund was looking for evidence of high workday populations to benefit from public and sustainable transport systems. Local authorities, including cross border to Wales for example, might bid jointly and proposals for places with populations of more than 200,000 people would score more strongly.
RESOLVED
That the options for joint bidding between the local authorities and partnerships in the region be further investigated, that the Transport Advisory Group consider potential proposals in more detail, and that a further report be considered at the next meeting of the LTB.
Update on Major Scheme Progress
Oral updates were given as follows:-
WARRINGTON
Western Link Scheme currently with the DfT and a decision was due in May
J8/M62 improvements with ongoing additions for local improvements
Warrington West Station under construction
Birchwood Area highway Improvements due to begin this summer
Centre Park Link over River Mersey due to begin this summer
CHESHIRE EAST
Crewe Green Junction Improvements due to be completed in September
Congleton Link Road in progress
Poynton Public Inquiry date still awaited amid concerns that the slippage could result in loss of funding. Government was aware of the issue.
Middlewich Eastern By Pass ongoing
NW Crewe Package in consultation
A500 Dualling business case to be submitted in early summer
Sydney Road Bridge - due to commence at the end of the year/early 2019
CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER
Gadbrook Park Junction funding received
A51 Pinchpoint Schemes business case finalised
Ellesmere Port funding received
Local Plan Part 2 now submitted
RESOLVED
That the updates be noted.
Responses to Transport Consultation
Consideration was given to two consultation responses. Firstly to the Highways England Strategic Road Network Initial Report, and secondly to the DfT Proposals for the Creation of a Major Road Network.
RESOLVED
That the consultation responses be noted.
Any Other Appropriate Business
The LEP reported that at a recent West Coast Partnership Stakeholder Briefing it had been confirmed that three franchisees were to be asked to tender for the West Coast Franchise. TfN would be monitoring the process closely and the DfT, who were leading on the project, had been asked to keep the CWLEP fully updated.
Date of Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting be held on Friday 22 June at 10.00 am at the Town Hall, Warrington.
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