Agenda item

To consider the draft Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4).

The Committee considered a report, set out in agenda pages 53 to 298, which provided the draft Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4).

The report outlined that an updated LTP would be an important part of Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC’s) ambition to make the Borough a net-zero carbon producer. The LTP would support local priorities, including a prosperous economy, improving the quality of life for residents, and reducing the environmental impact of transport.

The Executive Member highlighted that he wanted the hierarchy of road users to be included in the final document. In addition, the service was awaiting guidance from Central Government, however it was not possible for the service to wait any longer to produce this plan.

Paul Fishwick (Executive Member for Active Travel, Transport and Highways), George Framalicco (Director of Place and Growth), Sofia Charalampidou (Senior Transport Planner) and Robert Curtis (Transport Planning Team Manager) attended the meeting to answer Member queries.

During the ensuing discussion, Members raised the following points and queries:

·         In relation to the low response rate of 0.2% population, was this a cause for concern? How were officers seeking to engage different groups, for example younger age groups? Executive Member and officer response – This level of response was not abnormal based on previous LTP consultations. Further consultation would be carried out, and specific outreach would be offered to secondary schools;

·         Members raised some concern as to what could be extrapolated from such a small sample size;

·         It was noted that there were no proposed changes to the air quality management areas within the Borough. Members noted that the DEFRA site did not show the output or recording of these areas, and we were reliant on them telling us. Officers confirmed that they could liaise with our public protection partnership colleagues regarding this, whilst WBC submitted annual summary reports to DEFRA with regards to two of the three areas in the Borough;

·         Should the LTP4 be promoting scooting on public highways when e-scooting was currently illegal on public highways? Executive Member response – This referred to push-scooters which were allowed on public highways, however the wording could be amended to better reflect this;

·         Members felt that it was very important to see the demographic data, to understand who we had reached and who we had missed. Officers stated that this could be added into the draft LTP4;

·         It was noted that the Executive Member and officers would assess the data received from the consultation and place a special focus on any groups which had been underrepresented in future consultations on the LTP4;

·         It was suggested that an Executive Summary be produced, outlining the conclusions and recommendations of the report to help residents to easily engage with the plan and proposals;

·         It was suggested that officers explore application of more standard market research techniques, in order to reach a wider range of people and to help qualify the data;

·         The Chair suggested that a further session may be required to offer additional overview and scrutiny of the LTP4 prior to its consideration at the Executive.

RESOLVED That:

1)      Paul Fishwick, George Framalicco, Sofia Charalampidou and Robert Curtis be thanked for attending the meeting;

2)      Officers consider adding the hierarchy of road users into the LTP4;

3)      Officers consider amending the wording of the section on scooting to specify push-scooting;

4)      Officers consider adding in information relating to demographic data from the consultation into the draft LTP4;

5)      Executive Members and officers be requested to assess the data received from the consultation and place a special focus on any groups which had been underrepresented in future consultations on the LTP4;

6)      Officers consider providing an Executive Summary at the beginning of the LTP4, outlining the conclusions and recommendations of the report to help residents to easily engage with the plan and proposals;

7)      Officers consider exploration of more standard market research techniques, in order to reach a wider range of people and to help qualify the data;

8)      The Committee consider if a further session be required to offer additional overview and scrutiny of the LTP4 prior to its consideration at the Executive.