Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Development on the Huntingdon and Godmanchester Market Town Transport Strategy.

Supported the progress of the publication of the Draft Huntingdon & Godmanchester Market Town Transport Strategy be supported; and authorised the Head of Development, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, to agree any minor changes to the draft strategy following public consultation and prior to its formal adoption.

(Councillor L Kadic, Ward Member for Godmanchester, was in attendance and spoke in support of this item.)

A report by the Head of Development was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) inviting the Cabinet to consider the content of the draft Huntingdon & Godmanchester Market Town Transport Strategy which sets out a transport vision for both towns up to 2026. The report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

Executive Councillors were advised that the Strategy covered all Huntingdon wards and Godmanchester as well as the Parishes of Alconbury & the Stukeleys and Brampton and had been developed under the guidance of a Member Steering Group made up of representatives from interested parties.

In considering the key proposals outlined in the Strategy, Executive Councillors were of the opinion that, while all modes were contained in the Strategy,  greater emphasis should be placed on the need of the motorist given the rural nature of the district and to traffic calming measures. Having requested the Head of Development to reflect these sentiments in the Council’s response to the County Council as part of the consultation process, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that progress of the publication of the Draft Huntingdon & Godmanchester Market Town Transport Strategy be supported; and

(b)  that the Head of Development, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing Strategy, be authorised to agree any minor changes to the draft strategy following public consultation and prior to its formal adoption.

To consider a report by the Head of Development on the Huntingdon and Godmanchester Market Town Transport Strategy.

(Councillor D B Dew, Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Housing, was in attendance for this item).

With the aid of a report by the Head of Development (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel was apprised of progress with the development of a new Market Town Transport Strategy (MTTS) for Huntingdon and Godmanchester. Members were informed that the Strategy contained up to date detailed projects that would enable advantage to be taken of funding opportunities from a number of sources including Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy funding.

The Panel endorsed the key proposals outlined in the MTTS and acknowledged that difficult decisions would need to be taken in the future because the challenges identified could not be avoided. The Transportation Team Leader indicated that solutions to them would have to be found regardless of whether or not they were the preferred option. The example referred to was the Hartford and Godmanchester link road.

The Panel expressed support for the publication of the Strategy. Having paid tribute to Councillor Mrs L Kadic for Chairing the Member Steering Group, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet be recommended to

(a)  agree and note progress with the publication of the draft Huntingdon and Godmanchester Market Town Transport Strategy and confirm its support to the County Council; and

(b)  delegate authority to the Head of Development, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, to make any minor changes to the draft Strategy following public consultation and prior to any final formal adoption.