Issue - meetings

To receive a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking approval for the first Ramsey Market Town Transport Strategy.

Approved the content of the Ramsey Market Town Transport Strategy, which will initially form part of the Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2006 - 2011 prior to its incorporation into the third LTP. 

With the aid of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the content of the Ramsey Market Town Transport Strategy, which will initially form part of the Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2006 - 2011 prior to its incorporation into the third LTP.

In so doing, Executive Councillors were acquainted with the steps to be taken to implement the programme of schemes identified for the next five years including improved transport provision and measures to manage traffic.  Having received assurances that the strategy will be reviewed between now and 2015 to take into account the emerging Huntingdonshire Local Development Framework, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Ramsey Market Town Transport Strategy, as appended to the report now submitted, be approved.

To receive a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking approval for the Ramsey Market Town Transport Strategy.

(Councillor D B Dew, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport was in attendance for this Item).  

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking approval of the first Ramsey Market Town Transport Strategy, which had been compiled in conjunction with the Huntingdonshire Traffic Management Area Joint Committee.

The strategy had identified the key transport issues facing Ramsey and outlined a programme of transport schemes to address the transport needs of the town and surrounding villages over the next five years.  In response to a question, Members were advised that schemes would be funded from a variety of sources, with the strategy providing the evidence base required to request contributions from developers.  It was reported that the majority of the funding for schemes would be required from the County Council as the highway authority which would also be responsible for future maintenance.

The Panel acknowledged that on-street parking was a particular concern in parts of Ramsey as it slowed traffic and made junctions difficult to negotiate.  It was reported that a lack of enforcement had resulted in inconsiderate and illegal parking having become commonplace, although discussions were taking place on the potential introduction of civil enforcement in the future.

Members questioned the extent to which the proposed strategy could be funded via Section 106 contributions from the recent Tesco development in Ramsey.  In response, it was reported that the principal contribution was intended to have been the provision of traffic signals at the High Street/Great White junction, but this had not been supported by the Huntingdonshire Traffic Management Area Joint Committee.

RESOLVED

  that the report be endorsed for submission to the Cabinet.