Mr Rowland Potter, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, and Mr Steven Bishop, Steer, will be in attendance give a presentation to Members on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s Local Transport Plan Post-Consultation Next Steps.
Contact:J Rothera 020 7910 5762
Minutes:
Mr Rowland Potter, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, and Mr Steven Bishop, Steer, gave a presentation to the Panel on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s (CPCA) Local Transport Plan (LTP) Post-Consultation Next Steps.
During the presentation, the Panel was informed that the LTP consultation closed at 6pm the previous Friday (27th September). In addition it was noted that the LTP is a statutory document and has four functions. It also supports elements other than transport including economic, social and environmental aims. It was recognised that the main challenge of the LTP is to support the three economic areas of Cambridgeshire; Greater Cambridge Economy, Peterborough Economy and the rural economy.
In outlining the consultation feedback Mr Bishop stated that the common themes were as follows: wanting good bus provision, achieving net zero carbon emissions, Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro (CAM), support for East-West rail, better walking routes and recognising the importance of Local Plans.
Councillor B S Chapman questioned how the LTP links in with Market Towns Masterplans, in particular the St Neots Masterplan. Mr Bishop stated that the transport elements of the masterplans have been taken and developed within the LTP but that now that the consultation has finish it would be an ideal time to link together and align plans.
Parking at transport hubs was raised by Councillor B S Chapman. Mr Potter responded by stated that the LTP aims to look at the public transport links to the hubs and not just parking.
When asked why the development of the CAM would start in Cambridge and not from the fringes inwards to Cambridge, the Panel was informed that the CAM has to be developed in a way that can encourage investment. It was recognised that there would be complexities to the Cambridge end of CAM but there would also be complexities to other parts of the network.
Councillor B S Chapman stated that he believed that the East-West rail line should come through the biggest population centres of South Cambridgeshire, namely Cambourne and St Neots. Mr Bishop stated that those views were echoed by the St Neots’ residents but that it is now up to Central Government to determine the route.
When questioned on land acquisition for the CAM project, Members were informed that ideally there would be integrated transport before first occupancy instead of relying on modal shift. However, there is a statutory process to follow in order to show all options have been considered.
In response to a question from Councillor Mrs A Dickinson on whether the Combined Authority are working with bus companies, the Panel was informed that there is a Strategic Bus Review and that the Combined Authority are looking at what the bus service would look like going forward. It is anticipated there would be a blended service.
The Chairman asked what was being done for Huntingdonshire as the District sits across the three economies of the region. Mr Potter stated that the District is a mirror of the region as a whole but that in order to prosper, an infrastructure needs to be created which encourages people to stay in the area to work, live and play.