Agenda item

To present an update on the work to develop the Regional Transport Plan.

1.     To recommend that the 'North Wales Regional Transport Plan Vision statement', 'SMART objectives' and 'Cross-cutting themes' are presented to the North Wales CJC for adoption and inclusion in the 'Regional Transport Plan’s Case for Change' and 'draft North Wales Regional Transport Plan'.

2.     To note the key milestone dates for delivery of the Regional Transport Plan and to direct further work to achieve the key milestones in accordance with the Welsh Government guidelines.

3.     To note the draft Stakeholder Engagement Plan, which must be prepared in support of the Regional Transport Plan, and to recommend any additional considerations that should be included.

4.     To note that the lead officer will be a senior officer with responsibility for transportation from the Authority represented through the elected Chair. It was confirmed that this lead officer will act as the link between the Transportation Advisory Group and this Sub-committee.

The report was submitted by the Chief Executive of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee.

RESOLVED

1.     It was recommended to submit a 'North Wales Regional Transport Plan vision statement', 'SMART Objectives' and 'Cross-cutting themes' to North Wales CJC for adoption and inclusion in the 'Case for Change of the Regional Transport Plan' and the draft North Wales 'Regional Transport Plan'.

2.     The main milestone dates for the delivery of the RTP were noted and the further work directed to achieve the key milestones in line with Welsh Government guidance.

3.     A draft Stakeholder Engagement Plan was noted which must be prepared to support the Regional Transport Plan, and to recommend any additional considerations that should be included.

4.     It was noted that the lead officer would be a senior officer with responsibility for transport in whichever Authority represented through the elected Chair. It was confirmed that this lead officer would act as a liaison between the Advisory Transport Group and this Sub-committee.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

North Wales CJC is required to produce a Regional Transport Plan (RTP) and Regional Transport Delivery Plan (RTDP) in accordance with Welsh Government guidance.  To achieve this, the Transport Sub-committee should consider the developing components of the draft RTP and guide the work for final approval including agreeing on the required steps and documents for public consultation.

Work was ongoing with the support of ARUP consultants, who had created a roadmap in relation to critical delivery actions, which will be developed to ensure that issues are properly addressed through the Sub-committee and referred to the CJC in a timely manner for approval.

DISCUSSION

It was announced that the RTP's future vision was that 'North Wales will have a safe, sustainable, affordable, resilient, and effective integrated transport network that supports economic growth, prosperity and well-being'. The aim was to support a thriving economy, improve connectivity, enrich quality of life, improve access to services, establish a more resilient transport system and reduce reliance on private cars and promote more environmentally friendly travel options.

            The Plan emphasised the need to reduce negative environmental impact whilst encouraging regional sustainability and mitigating climate change. It was explained that the hope was to achieve this by prioritising investments in public transport, active travel infrastructure and delivering innovative solutions to mobility challenges.

It was explained that 15 priorities had originally been identified for the Regional Transport Plan. However, collaboration with Transport for Wales and ARUP had led to the development of four SMART objectives that encompassed the original recommendations in a clearer way. It was confirmed that those four objectives were:

1.     Improving digital connectivity and local services

2.     Improved accessibility and transport choice

3.     Enabling decarbonisation by transitioning to a zero emission fleet

4.     Enabling sustainable economic growth.

            It was also noted that five themes had been identified to run parallel with the SMART objectives. It was explained that these included 'Social Value', 'Equity', 'Led by the Community', 'Integration' and 'Affordability'.

            Members were guided through the timetable to develop the RTP with details given of the key dates. It was explained that the Chief Officer with responsibility for transport from the Local Authority would be expected to work with the Chair and the Vice-chair to support the Strategic Transport Sub-Committee and the North Wales CJC to make this timetable a reality

            The Chief Executive of the North Wales CJC and all support staff were thanked for their work in developing the Regional Transport Plan by the Chair.