Transport Committee - Thursday 16 November 2023, 11:00am - Feedback Tab - West Yorkshire Combined Authority Webcasting

Transport Committee
Thursday, 16th November 2023 at 11:00am

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Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)

1 Apologies for Absence

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Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)

2 Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

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3 Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

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4 Minutes of the Meeting of the Transport Committee Held on 19 September 2023

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Item 4 - Draft minutes - Transport Committee 19.9.2023

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)

5 Passenger Experience - Rail

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Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Colin Hutchinson
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Eric Firth (Kirklees Council)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Peter Carlill (Deputy Chair) Transport Committee
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Oliver Edwards
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Peter Kilbane (York Council)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Colin Hutchinson
Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Peter Kilbane (York Council)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Eric Firth (Kirklees Council)
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Abdul Hannan
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)

6 Transport Policy Update

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Item 6 - Transport policy update

Helen Ellerton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Helen Ellerton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Helen Ellerton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Eric Firth (Kirklees Council)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Helen Ellerton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Colin Hutchinson
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Peter Carlill (Deputy Chair) Transport Committee
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Helen Ellerton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Matthew McLoughlin
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)

7 The West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan

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Item 7 - The West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan

Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Neil Buckley
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Neil Buckley
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Colin Hutchinson
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Matthew McLoughlin
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Matthew McLoughlin
Cllr Oliver Edwards
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)

8 Project Approvals

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Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Simon Linley
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Royston Colley
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Royston Colley
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Colin Hutchinson
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Peter Clarke
Royston Colley
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Royston Colley
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)
Mel Liburd
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Colin Hutchinson
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
Cllr Colin Hutchinson
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)
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Disclaimer: This transcript was automatically generated, so it may contain errors. Please view the webcast to confirm whether the content is accurate.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:00:00

have we got any apologies for absence?

1 Apologies for absence

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:00:07

yeah, so had apologies from Councillor Hayden and Councillor Khan.

2 Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests

3 Exempt information - possible exclusion of the press and public

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:00:14

thank you very much declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests. I don't think I'd have been been advised before the meeting as everybody got a declare, no, thank you very much. There are two exempt items on this agenda which is agenda item 6 appendices 1 and 2 regarding active travel in zebra, I'll say, et al, one people will come to that item, but if anybody wants to discuss those anything on those two appendices will obviously have to stop the meeting and ask people to leave if we can get through it without doing that, that'd be great, but do let me know obviously, in advance if you want to discuss things on that list.

4 Minutes of the meeting of the Transport Committee held on 19 September 2023

so we'll leave it until then, and minutes of the meeting of the Transport Committee held on 19th September, those are therefore noting anybody at any comments, questions on those.

5 Passenger Experience - Rail

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:01:13

no, in that case, I can I propose as a correct record of that meeting, seconded by Councillor Khalil, can I see all those in favour, please show, thank you very much that is carried, as those are correct record of the meeting on the 19th of September.

and then moving then on to the first item on the agenda, which is passenger experience rail report, so Dave Haskins, thank you, I'm

Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:01:39

happy to pick us up Councillor just just to sort of start, I'll give a brief overview of the report and I think say we reached a long time in politics we can sometimes be log, cabin rail as well and a couple of things have moved on a little bit since the report was drafted and finalised so I'll be relying on a little bit of an uptick verbal updates on those as well.

firstly, on the rail strikes set out in 2.1 a brief update on that, as I understand it, R and T have put an offer to the members working for the train operating companies, now absolutely 30th November to decide whether that'll be accepted, I understand hoping that'll be accepted the roster there's still talk of possible Aslef activity, your actions I say in the run-up to Christmas and new year moving onto performance matters.

if we set out a sort of through 2.2 all the way down, probably through to 2 point for some some performance figures, around punctuality, where there's been a slight a slight decline for Northern, but it's not much of a change from where it was before there's been a significant him or,

sorry, Sir, for Northern and cancellations for Northern have increased substantially while teepees have notably decreased GPs have gone down quite a bit there's an appendix 1 which sets out more detail around around this and I think at the previous meeting that information had been omitted on the view to Pikmin too much information for some for some people but that's gone back in because there does appear to be an appetite for the full level of detail so we can continue to to hold the operators to account on the detail of of performance cancellations with Northern,

paragraph 5.5 at the moment, and tp about 3.4%.

excludes cancellations, leaving Ford P coded as as we've heard about before.

Northern had a particular peak in cancellations in in in the summer, in July and August, but it has, this is even off a bit, and I'll I'll talk about why that's been the case at Further on the report.

and since the previous report, there has been a reduction in total cancellations overall from 40 p, from about 12%, down to 4%, which is really good news, reflecting the full availability of rest day working in the period.

we welcome this trajectory, it is still impacted, obviously, by the Aslef action short of strike days, and again we will continue to monitor monitor that it set up a third on the report about revised recovery clambers is worth mentioning here for T P with the new leadership team as a temporary reduced timetable.

the intention is that CP chains will run on time and cancellations will be significantly reduced, allowing them to operate 15% more services through 2024, which is welcomed and moving on alter Northern Northern, have been struggling with some train crew resource. I do understand that they this is due to sickness truck driver training and other issues of staff leaving the business. I do understand that they do have enough drivers, but there is an evening to be trained. We will be seeking reassurance from them on their staffing forward plan, but again, the good news. I understand the nurses that Aslef have agreed with them the rest day working for the next six months, which does give them an increased ability to train drivers and therefore from that should flow a more resilient train plan. Actually, that is the intention as as set out by them. I think 2.7 through to 2.9 references which again we haven't reported in the last last few few meetings of Network Rail performance and how that

sort of him more for members' awareness, how that does contribute, it's not just to train operators that we need to hold him to account holding to account here Network Rail there are a number of delays to operates performance during the period trespass vandalism and we do of course get even though so it's been a bit of a later autumn this year there have been delays due to leasehold impact on the railway of which there are mitigation measures well in Welwyn trained to deal with that.

moving on to the service changes and again at the last committee we referenced.

that we had written to to northern and then to realm of partnership around the northern cuts from the 10th of December on the Penistone Line and some shorting of trains elsewhere again, did it do.

the responses received have been received not necessarily satisfactory, but we need to make sure that we continue to hold them to account and monitor the impact of those changes.

turning back to to TP, and this is where some of the things have moved on a little bit in the last week.

in respect to the temporary reduced timetables, the service patterns have been confirmed. We previously did set out the proposals to withdraw the no for three trains, and my understanding is

the Rail North Committee met earlier this week and accepted an option relating to the withdrawal of Northfleet, subject to reassurances as set out in a letter that was sent to us, Robert Roper Gibb, Robin Gisby

we will continue to press are transparent trains to make sure we do get information on the train capacity supply and demand.

from December 2023, the issues relate to whether or

the changes in the available capacity will lead to overcrowding and on trains you do recognise there is overcrowding generally at times anyway, but a high level of overcrowding, and we need to understand and monitor this as as as demand returns to the system as it does continue to, so I think that's a really really key point for us to be aware of here in terms of where we've got to on on on this particular issue.

couple more issues are picked themes I'll pick up on in 2 13, almost we talked about a few of the passenger network enhancements, which are always welcomed in respect of the northern flash sale, certainly how Northern have also taken advantage of of of strike days to do deep cleaning at stations which certainly enhances the passenger experience across the network.

and NCPs installing new tactile maps, which is welcomed, as have been produced by Royal National Institute of Blind people at Dewsbury and Huddersfield on our patch.

the final point how flag is over the last few meetings we've had quite a number of discussions and heated debate, it's fair to say, around the rail ticket office, closure, consultation, events, exercise sorry relating to how passengers buy tickets. We do recognise that there is a case for altering the way that staff presence is provided at stations, but I think we hadn't we had major issues collectively here around the way that the the consultation was undertaken.

in through through the process that went forward, Transport focused did complete its review at the end of October, and they objected to all the current proposals to close the ticket officers.

including a number of of a quite high level considerations around, are welcome welcome points, monitoring and review mechanisms, queue time targets, ticket vending machines and and so forth as their objection reasons.

almost hot on the heels of that announcement from Transport focus government through DF T did announce and withdrawal of their proposals, and the train operators have all confirmed that they will now not be taking forward these proposals, so I think from our perspective we collectively run a very good campaign puking in our local evidence into that which played a really key part in terms of pushing the case so on that basis that's that's the overview of the report maybe not as brief as I had a blackbird, so quite a lot going on that.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:09:12

thank you very much. So first of all, thank you to everybody who took part in the round ticket office consultation, and there was obviously this committee itself HRA unanimous letter actually, as part of that consultation, to say it was completely unacceptable to close those ticket offices, and I'm very pleased that at the governments have sort of agreed with us on that and that has now been stopped. It is concerning, of course, so it was a governments edicts. First of all, that forced on the operators to say you need to cut this money, we're gonna cut your problem, that's what they suggested. I want some reassurance really that they're not gonna cut that money from somewhere else in the operator's budget and we'll find out somewhere there's another acceptable cut that we didn't know about somewhere along down the line. So

but I think first of all to say thank you to everybody, and that's not it's the public have been really behind this are and have really supported us in making the case that are those real ticket offices are absolutely fundamental to making sure people travel around the network safely and or indeed to get the right information they need to get where they need to get to so.

that is a bit of good news on the horizon, which we're very pleased to be able to announce so quite a lot else in there as well, but before I go on to those other items, Deborah to speak on the ticket office closures in particular, and thank people to say on that Karl miss Councillor Hutchinson,

Cllr Colin Hutchinson - 0:10:43

thank you Chair.

I would like to clarify that it wasn't just the consultation that we had issues with it was the impact on the service that is provided to travellers, that was a key concern, particularly people with disabilities, so I think it.

that needs to be understood, it wasn't just the consultation process.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:11:11

indeed, thank you very much, Councillor, for, can I just follow up

Cllr Eric Firth - 0:11:16

your statement to about congratulate the older people in Bolton, not just this committee and the man.

we will involve with the unions, we were involved with all all our local authorities, we actually spread the message, far and wide many of us did petitions, many of us hand it cannons, OK save our local station and I think it's something it's an achievement, I think that we should be proud of we stopped in their tracks.

lawful intent, no pun intended.

well, probably attended will.

Councillor Cowell.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:11:49

Cllr Peter Carlill (Deputy Chair) Transport Committee - 0:11:52

thank you Chair. It is welcome because many of us are have these ticket offices now in our wards as well, and new Pudsey ticket office was one of those earmarked for closure. One of the main points that I was concerned about and that is not only the ticket office but the toilet is obviously accessed through the ticket office and many of the other facilities, such as the bus timetables and everything that that lead you on to the other transport. One thing I want to be really clear roles as well as the closure in ticket offices there were some areas where it was proposed to reduce the hours of staffing at stations as well.

I haven't ever seen whether it's completely clear that all proposals are now off, therefore the same hours and staffing levels at ticket offices and in at stations will be respected in our communities, and that's something that I really would like us to be clear on, so can we get clarity on that I think first of all about,

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:12:41

I think that offering a more purpose, because this government puts, is there anything else, they're gonna cut that we don't know about, and secondly, the hours of opening, I think we should prepare a seekassurance on both those things to the operators, Councillor Edward,

thank you, Chair, and, like everybody else, I welcome the fact that these disastrous government policies were dropped, but they should never be known in the first place, and I think we need to put that on records, these policies should never have been brought forward and I

Cllr Oliver Edwards - 0:13:11

would actually like to know how much all of this has cost and I think correlative by residents as one would also like to know the cost of this the cost of this exercise.

I mean the amounts of time the amounts of money that's been spent on it, it's an appalling waste of money and I do think there needs to be some accountability from the government and from people who supported it for that many of my residents were very concerned about this because it affected two stations in my area, so so it would be interesting to hear some of the costs.

associated with this at some point and because I think there needs to be accountability and the other thing as well. I think there were a lot of points that came out from this, so I think, particularly around some of the automated machines which people were being told that they could use so, for example, so particularly with Northern, quite often at Guiseley station and Menston station as well. Quite often, when you look at the machines, the machines are not working or if the machines are working, they're complicated, they don't give you the cheapest fare

that things are hidden away, they're not accessible, even for people that even often for people who are quite comfortable using technology.

and so I think some of those points that people raised, particularly around access to cheap affairs, reliability of machines and and and these at which people can use them.

those concerns are still there and I, I would like to hear from northern and from the other operators what they're going to do to improve the quality of what's on offer.

some very good points that Councillor Edwards and I think this is an

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:15:02

unlimited for the operators, comments it, but actually are they come at the next meetings, we do need sort of raised some of these points with them directly.

yeah, thank you.

yeah, OK, fine, so let's make sure they're here to answer most questions, I think it is very valid points raised

York.

Cllr Peter Kilbane - 0:15:23

thank thanks to your, I think, just a big one point about the hours for the have already been been lost, I think it might be worthwhile saving the overall numbers of staffing both before and after this debacle, so there is a suspicion that some staff will avoid staff numbers will have already been cut during the process, so we we could do with some clarity on where we are with overall staff numbers in the region thanks.

yes, I know I've raised that actually at Rail North committee earlier

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:15:47

this week that what they said at previous meetings was that they were holding back some vacancies and ticket offices pending this and that will have had an impact and I think that that has been seen on the front line as it for ticket office closures or short notice, et cetera because of lack of staff, so we need to know how how they're gonna re staff those stay at those stations quite quickly now because otherwise it is going to happen quite a lot so I did raise it on on Tuesday, let's make sure that's in the minutes and again response to it.

lovely thank you, so I think we we do need to draft a letter, I think, probably to Renewal Partnership TfN asking them to.

but obviously welcoming the news or getting clarity on the any more money coming out from anywhere else, that we know about that, we should be concerned about what at the hours and can we get the ticket offices staffed up again now we've got the from a commitment that they're not gonna be closed going forward.

fewer things in this paper as well the

colleagues probably noted Northern struggling with resource at the moment and regarding sickness again, some a question to ask them when they come next time, but hopefully they're there on that now and seeing what they can do to soften the manage those sickness levels down, I don't know if officers had any feedback on what they're doing regarding that.

Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:17:14

I've got discussion of coming up her lectures weeks for feedback on that.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:17:18

thank you any more questions of Councillor Hutchinson.

Cllr Colin Hutchinson - 0:17:23

thank you to questions from nature.

one is its congratulations to transparent and expressed for the improvement in the s big reduction in cancellations, both on the day and the preceding day.

does that really mean that they need to reduce the timetable?

because that was to reduce the largely to reduce the number of cancellations, and they they seem to have achieved that by other means. The other question was about. There was an announcement that all n e r would be by buying try model fleet of track off of locomotives for the East Coast mainline now I thought the whole purpose of electrifying these Coast mainline no great expense was said that you could run lighter, more efficient, electric

engines that didn't have to haul around a battery and a diesel motor as well, so what is the rationale for buying a trim model fleet for this route?

Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:18:36

I come in on the first question first questionnaire, and the second one one is protesting my technical technical skills at the moment without backup. First of all, my understanding is what TP have put in place is a performance plan over a period of time to it to improve the situation. Things are starting to improve. I think for you to speak to TPG. I would probably say that they need to see that plan through to a point in time where, where things are are back to the point where they can count on the the reliability is back in back in and in the network to a sufficient level that they'll be able to return to the timetable they wish to. They wish to return. Beyond that point, I think it's for a maximum of year, whereas Danny Leigh said he wants to do that timetable, which suggests it might be sooner if, since pay up for

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:19:19

we have insisted on that, as the Reynolds committee actually that they say yeah, but if fit, showing that they can come back sooner with services, they should do Wilkie monitoring that Sam did you want to come back?

so just disable more colour to the trans paranoid situation, so it's a

Simon Warburton - 0:19:33

very two in particular, this is a significant Driver training backlog.

which, in fairness to the new management, was was inherited from the previous management.

they have engaged with us well so far in terms of being very open, in terms of the impacts of of that what we're now seeking clarity on is the levels of train capacity that we will see at each of our stations through, particularly the peak hours, so that we can ensure that if passengers are having to face a reduction in timetable, that that they are left on the platform for lack of the lack of track capacity, and that's that's be very focus of the engagement at present. Ellen E are, I don't know the full reason why I can imagine there are certain operational flexibilities that it gives them, but we do have a session coming up, chair with senior management from at all, and e are so we can pick that up and get some clarity to their approach.

is that strategic round part, yes?

well, let's make sure that's actually the agenda for that this

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:20:52

Cllr Peter Kilbane - 0:20:55

morning, so let's make sure, as on their Councillor Cobain, no thanks to you and your drift on that issue, the the removal of the going-over threes, it is a cause of concern for us, we understand the reasons why why tpa doing what they're doing, but the removal of then over 3 says it has a huge impact on the line between York and Scarborough.

and with that a service scheduled to drop down to a short service once an hour that needs to be really really closely monitored because we are concerned that if the services increased by the summer then we're gonna see chaos on those lines and significant displacement of journeys onto onto an already bottleneck day 64 so if we can flag that up and we'd like to see I'd sort particular,

scrutiny of of of what's happening to to to that particular line.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:21:41

Yeah, I think the question is, isn't it if they get things improve quicker, then what can they put back first? So we could do with doing that, work with them, to say Look, we know you're saying a year, but actually, if you can do it sooner, what is what would be the first things on that list to go back in, and obviously you identified a service there which is sort of some independent as well, so there's a timing issue with that, but we need to know what the dates are when they're gonna report back, I think and say how how things are going at the moment they are on track, as I asked them not on Tuesday, but let's let's see if we can go a bit bitter above expectation and then deliver something sooner

Councillor Murray, I think I saw you indicating thank you Chair 2.3

Cllr Matthew Morley - 0:22:24

cancellations, the leaves of Sheffield by more for massive cancellations there, literally or more and the night before, do we know what passenger numbers using them services are at July, because obviously I would not have impact on what is already a very isolated part of of our or our county.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:22:43

adequately we don't think we don't have the officer Mark, so I don't

Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:22:47

have the information Tamsin Law in my head, but we we can try and get wholesome information for you on that.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:22:55

thank you, Councillor Mowat, Councillor, for can I just take a step back and just took to drag a training.

Cllr Eric Firth - 0:23:01

the blamed Dr a tray of shortage of drivers, but a very long time now.

the very long term.

it can we see an end to that, can we see an end to when they've got enough drivers trained up how many years?

how many times will we come back to to to listen and about this excuse?

a lethal item is at an end to it.

is there any of its, I'm so it, it's a 12 month plan the date sets out

Simon Warburton - 0:23:36

for both ourselves and the Rail North Partnership, I think the the question that you ask around the the accountability.

and that is something that I know cherries is being addressed through the roundup partnership, so Members will be aware that trans Pennine it's now under the operator of last resort arrangement, which which means that in effect, it is directly accountable to an agency of government and one of the aspects that we are looking to clear up within that arrangement is exactly what that accountability therefore looks like looks like back to realm of partnership, which cuts as a partnership between northern authorities and governance so badly. So it is certainly our expectation that realm of partnership should be kept up to speed in terms of the success of the driver training regime

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:24:33

through next year. And it's a sufficiency. Isn't it? It's a sickness, it's recruitment and retention. A is managing a workforce really, and I think that those are all part of the same discussion and we need to have with him next time or anything. And that's all operators, but particularly in Northern Ireland, that they seem to be suffering a bit on that

Councillor Edwards,

right Councillor Helen,

Cllr Abdul Hannan - 0:24:56

on the issue with the LNL new stock, I understand this 12 new trains coming in, is it going to be in addition to the rolling stock that they've got, or is it gonna be adding to replace some old rolling stock, I know that's over 30 years old.

if that could be asked and the trains that they're going to begin, I think it's the new cough model has been tried and tested, and is it reliable that could be asked please again, that's a question, I think

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:25:23

it's Strategic Rail Partnership is title alter that whether they'll tell us all that international I don't know all that matters less ask the question Councillor Edward.

thank you, I mean on this on this issue, about sickness staff sickness and some of the other issues, particularly with Northern, I think it'd be very helpful to get a bit more detail about their conversations with the unions and with staff representatives and because certainly I hear different things about how Caldwell those relations are and I think it's really important that the operators have,

effective communication with the unions, and so it would be very helpful if they could tell us more about that, so give them a bit of pre notice, I will be asking them about that, that's very decent of

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:26:15

you, Councillor Edwards.

sorry any more questions before we are close down to the item.

no, I don't think so so obviously quite a lot happening there in the air that's updates, and it would be good to have the operators here next time to us and some of those detailed questions, but we can take those up in the meantime cutaway with the opposite rate as in our respective fora so I think that paper was just for noting from memory.

so we'll move on now, then to the next one, which is.

6 Transport Policy Update

the transport policy updates.

and again, this is the item that has a two appendix which are in confidence and therefore we need to be mindful if you would do need to refer to anything in exempt item appendix 1 or Appendix 2, can you please let me know now, so do you think they might have to raise a question about the detail of those at the moment?

no, in which case I want I want to make this, a private item will discuss this if you do need to discuss anything in those items in those appendices, please stop yourself talking and put your hand up and let me know before you say anything I'll be ready good, so transport policy update

Helen Ellerton - 0:27:42

Helen. Thank you them. We just will whip, through each item, 10 officers a range of things in year, so the first part of here is the active travel fund for extension, which does have the private Hendrix. This one is just setting up that we are currently in the process of bidding for the next round of active travel Fund money. The bid is broadly focusing on areas that were unfunded last time and we are in the process of developing that bit. Submission is the 27th of November

we have been through a design workshop with active travel England and we been that that process was successful and we've got the customs developed around that as well, so the recommendation here, which I noted isn't actually in the paper, but the recommendation is that the final decision and submission of the bid is delegated to,

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:28:34

dear you, Councillor Hinchcliffe, so it is that if you change the recommendations on this post that will need changing in this paper, so whilst you're talking, then let's Ian on Sunday just to draft what that looks like you.

Helen Ellerton - 0:28:44

if that one's OK, I'll go into the next one, so the the second item, which has an exempt appendix is the zebra emission bus bit, we are currently in the process of bidding for the second round of 0 emission, but bus funding, this is a further 129 million pounds for

electric and other fuels, such as hydrogen buses for across the country, given we've give, are being given 0 emission bus round 1 funding, which were currently in the process of delivering.

d f t, have said that we are probably less likely to be successful with this round, but nevertheless we would be good for us to be going for it, so that's where we currently are the bidders due for submission on the 15th of December, and the bid has to come forward in partnership with operators because they provide the match funding for the diesel buses. So again, our submission on this, the recommendation here, should be that we are submitting them in consultation with you as the Chair Councillor note,

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:29:51

OK, thank you very much, there's two recommendations added there that it's also, we note the updates for Agnew's report, but then members delegate to the Chair and, I would say, Deputy Chair, actually as well.

to make the final decision on the submission, and that's both are on the active travel England submission and also on the Zebra submission which actually has to go from operators anyway, doesn't it, it's not come from most as it comes from us or does admissions of it?

it has to have a strong.

all the content of the bid jealousies, essentially from the operator, OK Loughlin, thank you very much, so I've got at Councillor Firth and I've got Councillor.

Helen Ellerton - 0:30:29

package are in the zebra.

to some of which you know there's two glaring omissions in the

Calderdale,

no, I'm talking about the from the purpose, very low ambition, there are two Kirklees and Calderdale are not included in the route.

why?

Cllr Eric Firth - 0:30:55

this is because he is coming from wakame on his notice.

the

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:30:59

Helen Ellerton - 0:31:03

them so them, because the bid the bids are developed in partnership with the bus operators, the bus operators have to have a business case for the funding to come forward in specific areas in zebra, 1 we match-funded that bid with our city region sustainable transport settlement funding to look specifically at putting some electric buses into Cotterdale and Coakley's through that mechanism to supplement what we were doing with the operators.

this time round, obviously, we're in a further bidding round and are still in the process of delivering the initial funding so.

currently no additional mattress being put through any capital programmes towards.

thank you, a cancer patient.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:31:46

thank you for your.

Cllr Scott Patient - 0:31:50

part of it has been pre-empted, the frustrating to see the plan for drivers so bit mentioned within the it's gonna be proof, probably a little bit difficult for us to enforce bus priority messages, I think there's a real clash of sort of worlds there within that, so that is disappointing to say, but I appreciate you need to reference it because it is emergency emerging policy.

and another thing as well, electrification of the Calder Valley line.

it feels like a sort of big omission as well, and for me that is part of upgrading and would be a first choice route for any any way forward towards Bradford as well, which we know is looking towards renewal of station and routes and stuff so also a bit of an omission was the Castlefield corridor in Manchester should be so great benefit for Calderdale as well in terms and Fleet throughs so.

really good report, sorry, I am just pointing out some bits and frustrations, but they're not all from your world, some of the national movement.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:32:54

let's think cancer patients articulating some frustrations with government that which obviously I offer striking from time to time, but obviously we've got in there what came out of the new announcements, as you say.

and there was some good news in there for the region as well, which I think you are pushing ahead on Simon George again, yeah, so certainly

Simon Warburton - 0:33:19

thank you, Joe so I completely agree with Councillor patient and in a conversation that we've already started with. A deputy colleagues is the importance of ensuring that the final settlements around the Network North policy framework can bring forward a network proposition, and I'm not just individual or elements and will continue to work hard on that and in particular, the issue around the continued development of the Colne Valley corridor is is is particularly important in that regard. Nonetheless, we do very much welcome the clear identification now of Bradford on a future Northern powerhouse Rail network and actually challenge, as you are aware,

we have seen some some very productive activity already from both Network Rail, A and F T to work with us on on that which is incredibly potent for us in the context of the other very positive announcement, which was the continued support for the West Yorkshire mass transit programme which we want to be able to land up a new station in Bradford which of course brings us back to the importance of this being brought forward as as a network proposition so some very s some very positive statements in terms of some of our key priorities.

omnipotence now is, it is to make sure that those that words in the headlines are or are not lost as we move forward part of choir Councillor.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:35:02

I've got Councillor Hutchinson and Councillor Murray.

thank you, I echo what Councillor patient has said about the need to

Cllr Colin Hutchinson - 0:35:12

actually keep the pressure on to emphasise the value of electrification of the Colne Valley line, I did want to also be sure that the proposed new station at Bradford ward wouldn't be simply for Northern powerhouse Rail but would also serve the Calder Valley line.

but my question about the Act, the active travel fund, the most used form of active transport that's most inclusive is pedestrian transport and there is, and yet most of the thrust of active travel funding seems to be on cycling, there is none, there is nowhere any maintenance mention of the actual cost of maintaining footways which are in a terrible state in many, many places and if we are wanting to encourage more people to actually,

use go by foot for short journeys, which is the main cause of of carbon emissions from transport, we need to make sure that it's enjoyable and safe for them to do so, and I've seen nothing in the proposals that have been coming forward or being discussed that would actually improve the maintenance of footways.

I welcome any comments on that and how that might be addressed.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:36:38

footways would like me to so I think it's very, very fair challenge, Councillor the

Simon Warburton - 0:36:46

the work that colleagues have undertaken is, of course, as ever, guided by the guidance associated with the particular.

funding competition, and I think we are, we're confident in our advice to you that that the proposals that we've set out fit best in the context of the funding competition and what what we are seeking to achieve, certainly on part of our our transport strategy,

there were statements made within a network north around unimproved Highways Maintenance regime, but we we await clarity from d f t in terms of how that looks and of course.

in many ways that the the point that you make actually comes back to the fundamental debate that we're having with government at the moment around the nature of devolution, and the more that we can move away from ring-fenced funding, competitions against which we then need to fit are our priorities and the more that we can blend our funding across each of these needs it's it's a very good point.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:38:01

thank you, and of course the Bradford's option will improve things matters for Calderdale, which would have to go in and reverse out, so that will help all of us, no matter where we are in West Yorkshire and what Councillor Morgan, I've got Councillor Cowell.

thank you Chair back to the the Network Norv document.

Cllr Matthew Morley - 0:38:21

the bullet point 2.10 regarding the 460 million to ensure delivery of 21 road schemes in the north always combined forward to start to look at prioritising what schemes we would like to submit and see come forward, I'm sure you think it's an almighty minefield,

so again, one of those aspects that that we haven't yet got clarity

Simon Warburton - 0:38:44

from government in terms of the process that that will follow, albeit that I know Chair you, were somewhat surprised yourself because certain road schemes were named.

we were within the document, we were that much prior discussion with Local Highway Authority, so I think it's probably most diplomatic for me to describe that as a work in progress element of Network North at this stage.

but obviously we need to make our own weather on this as well, so we need to push forward on the things that we know we need as a region,

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:39:16

and therefore development work doesn't stop. I think I would suggest it's important that we have shovel-ready schemes ready to go, no matter what happens and what funding streams come forward in the future. We have to be ready and able willing Councillor Cowell. Thank

Cllr Peter Carlill (Deputy Chair) Transport Committee - 0:39:36

you, Joe just combined appoint, wanted to make about the active travel fund with the points that have been made there, because the one thing that people will see on this, and this was

labelled as active travel fund for extension, what we were expecting there was active travel from 5, which I believe the summer that's been given out is around a quarter of what I would have expected one, I just wondered whether this was actually the original 2 billion that was announced by government well by.

previous three previous governments ago, at 1.00 time.

do we know how far we are into that 2 billion? It is the first question. Second question is, are we expecting the further to come, and so are we expecting active travel from 5, which will be the proper amount in it, and this does come back to what you have said around the bids really are in the devolution, had we been given our allocation of that 2 billion over a series of years, we could have been planning these schemes and developing them all and delivering them by now. Unfortunately, by the time we've got through two tranches, we've been told that the money has been quoted from what it was expected to be and the certain schemes we've chosen are to fit as we've noted before, not necessarily with leaders, priorities for their areas but based on the priorities we've been given

I think that is a real risk of this, because suddenly half of that money has been taken away and I don't expect us to see it again and we are ending up bidding for schemes that aren't the ones that our areas think are the best schemes to improve cycling and walking in their ward in the district. Sorry, so I think that's a real risk, but I think there would be a good point at which, if we can get that that summary around the 2 billion that we perhaps write to get some certainty for the projects ahead, because either we are going to be able to fund the scheme that we want, or are we not, and I would rather there would be an announcement that this had been dropped. So we know to put those into other funding bids where we need to

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:41:30

are we having regular meetings with 18?

Helen Ellerton - 0:41:35

Helen did you want to come back on that and yes, we are making a meeting today, team we can ask them those questions just on active travel from 5 were expecting some information in the near about timescales, and therefore I imagine amount of money available as well.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:41:49

or a Özcan, whichever I think actually probably would Wu, would welcome the support that the Councillor Colin just set out, so perhaps

Simon Warburton - 0:41:57

we contract out of the itself to correspondent in the Chair in the

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:42:01

Chair about PEBL England, we've written to them before we're happy to write to them again.

n any further comments questions on this item.

Councillor McLoughlin.

yes, thank you Chair, some don't meet the cancellation of purchase to

Cllr Matthew McLoughlin - 0:42:18

the the the fallout there, from it was a matter of much comedy that a lot of the schemes that the government said that money was gonna be spent on instead.

it has already been announced, or indeed already been completed, so how can we be sure that?

the money they say is being relocated, isn't actually a sneaky cut to investment in the North.

and also I understand the list that we've got here is an indicative list and therefore, on behalf of of Kirklees, can I champion the Penston line as a potential priority for the Combined Authority, because it is bad enough already and it desperately needs that investment. Thank you, Chair replaced Councillor McLoughlin Councillor

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:42:59

Firth is already a champion, and it's the line this morning, in fact, in another made sounds in, so you are both on the same page on that one. I think we don't know, do we live in a very uncertain world and obviously we we know, we're gonna have a general election in the next year, however, I firmly believe that we can't just tread water. We have to keep going and we have got posterior decisions on some schemes. We need to push forward with those which some of the schemes that are what we would want it to do anyway, so push forward on those we develop. Those are and then, but we also keep developing our other schemes respective across the region. Because actually they that they may be more of my favourite in the future with different funding regimes and different policymakers, so we we, I'm I'm not somebody who's standstill, we just need to keep going and make our own weather to make sure that we push forward economic growth in this region, no matter what government is in power when so any further comments on that

to purchase the observation that we got the autumn statement next

Simon Warburton - 0:43:57

week, so that will include an updated budget statement department by department, and I think that's probably the point at which we can look at the numbers that are set out and see if the it if they reconcile back and also to note that we are working with colleagues in South Yorkshire to review the case for the Penistone Line.

we're all expecting quite a lot from the autumn statement actually out

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:44:22

with all local authorities on the table or fingers crossed for that, Sir, any more comments, questions on this item, Helen Day, if you wanted to say,

Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:44:30

looking carefully and not just quite covered, the peacock nose, yes,

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:44:34

of course, which I'm happy to give up very briefly.

that means we're gonna be able to continue to pound fairness, isn't it

Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:44:41

yes, essentially put on the hot on the heels what we just talked about the Network North announcements recently there there was a trauma for the tonne should be shipped funding of 150 million nationally which was announced at the same time of which we have been notified that West Yorkshire had been allocated 13.3 million pounds of that so that funding will be added to the current BSF programme.

that ties in with the work around those affairs, which is ongoing, where 34 million pounds is allocated just over a year or more ago, intended to support low affairs, affairs, and that was to address the cost of travel and the cost of living crisis, an excellent incentive for the bus travel now subsequent to the bishop announcement I just mentioned there are a national 2 pound fare cap was announced to be continued for through to December 2024.

which the Combined Authority weren't part of this national initiative, because we had already set out our own stall through the Mayor's fares scheme, of course it's not works in in a slightly different way to the way our our scheme works now there's some information in the report around how the performance of Mayor's powers has been and will be bringing in further further information forward in the next report.

around. We done some updated analysis and research around that to set out the benefits in terms of additional patronage that's been generated and information about the types of users have been using the scheme as well. Now the customers' savings from the mayor's fare scheme have been funded through the piece of, as I've said, and that was about 15 million pounds in year. One we're currently working through what we call the year 2 payments, and we're sitting this alongside now. The BCF funding that's just come through from government. Obviously we're not part of this national 2 pound fare cap, but we need to understand what will happen. The government fact cup runs and through until December 20 to 24. We need to understand the government's thinking around the longevity of this fare cap scheme and also how that sits alongside the longevity of obesity funding on those first schemes as well and that BCF funding of 13.3 million we decided how that is best to be utilised, whether to support marriage affairs in some way, or in also looking at through service enhancements and the network. So work is ongoing on that which will be reporting through. Thank you, so this is confusing as next to the

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:46:56

travelling public as well because they hear announcements at national level about the 2 pound fare cap is gonna continued, but actually that doesn't apply to West Yorkshire. It was a mayoral decision to do that and obviously it has been very successful here. In fact, I think the Mayor did that before other authorities did that, so it was. It was our idea in the first place, but it is good to have this money in the hope that they can continue that it's going forward because it would be ashamed to be out of step with the national scheme and when we hear hear, obviously it has been very beneficial at 11 million pounds it saved our travelling public regard the semi uplift in passenger numbers, and we do want to continue this. I mean how certainty is it that we will be able to discontinue it for December 24, without compromising the original visit settlement of to say, because I don't want, is the basic money that was set aside for additional services, which we all know we need is gonna be compromised to keep this guide? So that is that's the questionnaire, so I think we'd recognise Joe that that we need to be able to make say

Simon Warburton - 0:47:57

the first regime, those.

less urgent work is underway at the moment between colleagues who sit around the table.

to reconcile those figures, they done against our overall basic profile, and we want in the coming weeks to be able to bring that back very clearly said it wants a broad.

with a to address that concern, which is rightly raised.

well, look forward, saying that Lehnhoff's face.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:48:30

buses is such a fundamental part of our economy. Getting people to know, work, studying leisure, that we need to do everything we can to continue that scheme whilst not compromising initial services. Any more questions or comments on this item, then no roughly one. In that case, I refer you to the recommendations but also remind you, we've added two further recommendations 10.1, which is that Members here delegate to the Chair and the relevant Deputy Chair to make the final decision about the submission on the active travel England bid and also the zebra to bid. So there's two additional recommendations there. I'm happy to pose that can't see a seconded Councillor Carlo all those in favour. Please show, thank you. That is carried. Thank you very much for that.

7 The West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan

so moving now, then on to the next item on the agenda, which is a round at the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan which I believe are being asked to approve in principle, yes or or or alternative sites J, so as the report sets out, the Combined Authority has got statutory duty to prepare and review a Local Transport Plan and it is very much

Simon Warburton - 0:49:43

viewed by government as the principal transport policy document for the the West Yorkshire,

one area, our last Local Transport Plan, was adopted in August 2017.

and quite a lot has changed since then chat, including clearly our work on

the bus reform agenda,

all very clear way forward now in terms of the mass transit programme and indeed the establishment of the wider city region, sustainable transport settlement regime, the implications of integrated, well-planned and now Network, no progression of the active travel agenda and of course the establishment of the West Yorkshire Plan so it's absolutely appropriate we advise.

for us to set out our forward agenda in a new Local Transport Plan and actually will give us the basis to set out that future investment portfolio that we just touched on before. The report sets out a draft roadmap for the preparation of Local Transport Plan at paragraph 2.1 1 and that sets out how we would go about developing consulting and then ultimately bringing forward for adoption in mid 2025. That timing we would suggest is that well-placed both to represent where we find ourselves on the other side of the conclusion of considerations around bus reform and also well in advance of the next government and spending period and and the next city region. Sustainable transport fund spending period in particular,

and we're keen, in particular, to to ensure that this is a comprehensive plan for for West Yorkshire, we want to make sure that it it genuinely represents all of the economic, social and environmental priorities, and therefore from that, the transport priorities for all parts,

of of of the conurbation, and we see that as a great opportunity to strengthen, in the eyes of of government and the public, the unity of purpose that we're establishing around our integrated transport agenda, and so, in particular, we are proposing a very strong co-development,

process with our colleagues in each of the five authorities so that we can say with confidence that as a result of the process, we have a plan that genuinely represents the whole of of West Yorkshire, and so on that basis we recommend that members,

firstly, approved the proposal to to develop a new Local Transport Plan, if so, to endorse the principle of a co-development, as I just touched on.

and to request that we bring an update on progress and in spring of next year.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:52:56

thank you very much. I certainly it's as I needed to think of certain transport planners, and it would actually say it's a while since we did one, and I think also we need to do quite a lot of work with all the authorities with property section of Leeds, actually because the all type of programme has got you a bit further ahead in Leeds in terms of having the modelling done next. Thank you. So after you got to make sure if you made sure that we've got some work going on on the other authorities to get us up to where Leeds are at so that we can all move forward together with the local transport yeah, so we've just recently done some work prompted actually by

the mass transit programme development or, in particular.

Simon Warburton - 0:53:34

to set out a programme to fundamentally refreshed the strategic transport modelling tools that we have available in West Yorkshire, we have a set of tools that are that that serve the purpose very well when we are looking at the impact of very specific local interventions, but we now need to be able to consider,

the impact at a full system or a network level, and that's the capability that we are putting in place in support of the mass transit and development, and that will then stand us in good stead through this LTP process.

roughly I say because I can sit Spring 24 as a report back on

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:54:18

progress, has delivered, lots of progress made any more questions or comments for this recommendation as Councillor Buckley.

Cllr Neil Buckley - 0:54:26

thank you Chair, and at 2.00 6 on this item, it mentioned to have a strong accessible transport system and reliable and affordable buses.

and the Transport Levy Fund worth 50 million pounds which the man had from the government.

she is now given this back to the constituent councils, including, for instance, 17.6 million given back to Leeds, it's obviously not wanted, so why on earth, given these priorities, which we have with the trains, the buses and everything else in this item in particular, why hasn't this fund being used for this purpose?

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:55:21

to come back on that Councillor Buckley see what has gone on not just for Conservative colleagues, Shirley that all local authorities are really really financially challenged at the moment.

and the is in the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, his best interests to make sure that all our local authorities keep delivering at local level. It is appalling that the government have not funded local authorities to deliver their core services, and we'd been cut over the last 13 years with demand rising. That is an unsustainable position, so everybody is doing the best as Team West Yorkshire, to keep the wheels on the bus and keep things moving forward, but it does require a partnership as solid, as we've got in West Yorkshire to make sure that happens and that a decision that the Mayor and the other leaders have taken was all part of making sure that happens in the future. So we have a very comprehensive delivery programme of 600 million pounds worth of transport programmes going forward and that will continue to be delivered at pace and of course a lot of this money we're talking about is money that needed some revenue support was needed year in year out and not capital to revenue with short of we're all short of revenue

so we need more revenue going into our public services, whether that's transport, with its local authorities, with us, the police or one that has just not happened, and I'm afraid you're on a weak ground, talking about the fact that we're all stretched financially because that is are active government decisions on running down public services and cannot be allowed to continue. So I am not sure our officers can add anything to that, but we did. You want to come back on that or to

Cllr Neil Buckley - 0:56:54

mention keeping the wheels on the bus while she hasn't done, because this was the transport levy fund specifically for that purpose and to give it back to the councils is surely wrong when all these priorities are here and to talk about giving it back to the Council, because they need money for this builder. This was a Transport Fund

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:57:22

I think you were misinformed there, Councillor Buckley, Councillor Sandra, A J just to inform the Committee in terms of the specific

Simon Warburton - 0:57:29

nature of the funding that was involved, the the local authorities as part of the overall capital investment.

arrangements in West Yorkshire had started to establish a specific capital.

reserve that reserve

is not required to be called on at this moment in time in order to be able to support the capital programme because of the success that we've had in terms of being able to attract a capital funds into it into our programme, it was specifically set aside for spending on capital items and therefore,

that was not available to the Combined Authority to use against revenue items.

and it was on that basis that the discussion took place.

on the abyss of all of the chief finance officers in the conurbation,

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:58:30

thank you, so any further questions, Councillor Nash, thank you Chair.

Cllr Colin Hutchinson - 0:58:35

like a little bit more detail about what is meant by partners in development of the plan as to who exactly are these PA solicit officers in strategic infrastructure and and transportation, or is it more wide than that, does it involve commercial partners or other organisation so,

no sat me who will we be co dot co developing this with?

sir, so first and foremost this will be a statutory plan for West

Simon Warburton - 0:59:16

Yorkshire and A and R, as, as a Combined Authority, officials are our first and priority set of partners are our colleagues in the local authorities we we do have well established arrangements are in place that are overseen by,

the Chief executives Group, but supervised in particular through the directors of development and the chief highways officers, are what we will be doing, is looking to make sure and that we have all of the necessary supporting arrangements in place around that that core structure,

so that we can have the strongest unified plan beyond that, as is as is the nature, in any large city region, there, a series of wider partners that we will be wanted to influence through the strength of our plan, whether that's around the rail industry, the bus industry or the various national agencies that work or around a Department for Transport, so I suppose the very simplicity Councillor is anybody who helps us to get the job done.

we are a friendly bunch.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:00:25

Councillor o'clock, and would you indicate yes, thank you, Chair yeah,

Cllr Matthew McLoughlin - 1:00:29

just to fundamentally disagree with Councillor Buckley.

the, I welcome Tracy's creative teamwork, which is what it was for ahead of Team West Yorkshire to support local authorities and, and it's not wanting to fund this, that Bilbao it's money to fund vital public services that our residents depend on and we would need to do these kinds of things if the government properly and fairly funded northern councils and Kirk Leys is something like 69 pounds per head times 440,000 population that were underfunded compared to better supported councils in the south and I think I will personally extend my thanks to the Mayor for the support which is vitally needed at this time of of great distress.

thank you very much, Councillor McLoughlin.

so any more comments, Councillor Melissa.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:01:18

Cllr Matthew Morley - 1:01:23

edged two comments Chair, firstly, you know, I appreciate the Welsh Local plans moving forward, but the speed that we can get it don't be the bedsit was obviously our local plans, each whinge of that and no, something Wakefield resulted up to an extent, but yeah, thank you moving it forward and just fire from Councillor Buckley, my God for the fact that we're about 200 million pounds taken off our revenue budget in Wakefield and you're criticising pull some extra money in that it's absolutely horrendous would become you've made and whilst absolutely that thank you Chair

thank you, Councillor Edwards.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:01:54

thank you, I was prompted, it's actually by Councillor Buckley's so comment. We had this discussion yesterday within the Chamber runs and the thing that you mentioned yesterday twice which you haven't mentioned this morning, you you made a big thing about. There is no money left. Well, if we're going to score points on this, who's been in government for the last 13 years, whose responsibility is that I mean, that was something that you said in the Chamber twice yesterday

Cllr Matthew McLoughlin - 1:02:26

and I think it's a pretty damning indictment and the fact that the fact that we've not had very much guidance from the government

Cllr Oliver Edwards - 1:02:32

nationally. Actually, this is a very serious issue on a whole loads of policy areas. This is not policy point-scoring. This is, this is real life, this is impacting on our residents and it's a question a priority. So there is no money left whose responsibility is that

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:02:53

said that as a rhetorical question, thank you very much, and I certainly we. We do need at this time, a severe financial challenge. We need all colleagues, from whatever parties, to stand up and backfires in Westminster, and this is about keeping services going for the travelling public, but also for adult services, for children's services. All things and our councillors round this table will be very much concerned about

and make sure we will have the mob, most vulnerable residents, as well as keep our economies going.

so it is great that we've got West Yorkshire Combined Authority and we've got a devolution deal because we can carry on doing these fantastic growth schemes like West Yorkshire, mass transit like the buses like the big rail schemes and active travel and walking at schemes that we've got going without devolution we won't be able to do that I dread to think what where would be actually without devolution of that Mayoral Combined Authority, so it is great that we've got that as a piece of optimism because we're also about powering forward our economy as well as keeping public services going so thank you everybody for that item.

with if there's no further questions or comments on that, I can't say, but indicating we'll go to recommendations, which is 10.1 to 10.3, obviously you're going to come back to us in Spring 24, you've heard today that we do want this work to progress at pace and make sure that all the authorities have had transport modelling in place etc to make sure we have.

8 Project Approvals

Good decisions to make next year, so I'm happy to propose that, can I see Councillor Khalil, I think you secondary that other than folk pressure that is carried. Thank you very much so next item on the agenda is a project approvals. I believe, and there are two project approvals on this list melon 3, sorry yeah, the the three projects for consideration today, and Simon is going to take us through the first

Simon Warburton - 1:04:45

one briefly, thank you, Simon

Simon Linley - 1:04:49

thank you mentally, it actually quickly broke through and a couple of miniatures, a quick overview of the transform cities funds, a 64 scheme which is a bus walking cycling scheme here in Leeds, is aiming to improve bus journey times, reliability for services along the 64 between the city centre at Marsh Lane and the approach to the outer ring road, the scheme as a benefit Cost ratio 7.9 to 1 classifying this scheme with a very high value for money when assessed against the Department for Transport value for money criteria.

the scheme consists of a package of new bus lanes, extensions to existing bus lanes, upgrading existing signalised junctions to give bus priority and improvements to existing cycling and pedestrian crossing provision for enhanced safety.

really quickly. This includes over a thousand metres of new and extended extended inbound bus lanes to up to 25 real-time passenger information screens along the route. New signalisation, including pedestrian and cycle crossings, to the new old to the new to the new old York Road junction, is the one at Farm Foods upgrades of traffic signals off at the Crossgates Road Killingbeck, Drive and Selby Road junctions and also the new pedestrian crossing infrastructure at 3.00 junctions at Crossgates, Road Killingbeck, Drive and Selby Road. Ultimately, the scheme is aiming to improve bus journey time. Reliability tempo, a 10% increase in bus users by August 2028, a 10% modal shift from trips made by car to sustainable options

by August 2028, a 10% reduction in accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists on the aged 64, as well as looking to improve air quality.

the current total forecast schemes are costs for the scheme is at 5.00.5020000 which is affordable within the transforming cities funds programme combined authorities contribution is 4.9 8 million with the remainder 40,000 coming from a contribution from Leeds City Council, so Transport Committee. Today I'm looking at PR, looking for approval for the 64 bus walking and cycling scheme and to proceed through this decision. Point 3, which is outline business case and for work to commence on activity, for which is the full business case, and indicative approval to the combined combined authorities contribution a 4.9 8 million and for development costs of fantasy 1,000 are in for approved in August in order for us to progress the scheme up to its decision Point 4, which is full business case. Thank you. Thank you

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:07:41

very much. Any comments or questions about this item.

now excellent, in that case, you move on to the next one and will take

Simon Warburton - 1:07:54

them all as a suite of things to Booth yeah Chair, that the next game is in Elland Calderdale and there are two elements to the scheme. There's the building at the development and the building of the new rail station and there's also the accessibility package to in order to make it easier for people to get to the new station so we've got Tom and Royston that are going to do a bit of a double act in terms of briefly introducing this one.

Royston Colley - 1:08:22

thank you, thank you very much.

so, as Milanese outlined, the Combined Authority all leading on the development and delivery of the rail station element with Calderdale Council, leading on the exit package, and the station is currently proposed, as two platforms, lift stairs and step-free access to the platforms in the form of ramps ticket machines wayfinding cycle storage ground level car park,

EV charging points and provision for future installation as well.

the excess package supports the construction and operation of the station through improvements to the wider cycle network, to new pedestrian and cycle bridges crossing both the River Calder and the Calder, Hebble Navigation and further improvements to existing pedestrian and cycle routes and public.

realm enhancements in Elland the schemes aim to boost.

rail users to the market, improve access to local labour sites, help reduce congestion and improve air quality in the Elland area and wider Calderdale, they'll also support planned housing developments in the nearby area, as well as proving improving greater connectivity for employment, education, leisure and social mobility.

the joint scheme cost is currently estimated at 3.00.31327000, which is funded through a combination of the West Yorkshire Transport Fund and, in the case of the access package element, the transforming cities fund.

the current benefit Cost ratio for the scheme is 1.3 1

the

rail station, in terms of where we are today, has secured a grip for which is the governance for rail investment projects standard a joint OBC was previously approved in 2019, the request today is for a further drawdown of 3.3 2 9 544 million

from within the existing total approval on constituting early drawdown for further development costs needed to take the project to FBC, submission doing so would take the total development funding to 7.1 9 3 544,000 and also look to extend the delivery timescale by 12 months to September.

2026.

approval sought is within the existing indicative funding approval, as mentioned, the total value from the scheme again is 31,000,327 400 and 14 pounds that is all.

a Combined Authority funding and, in summary, the funding recommendation sought today's 3 point

3.329554 pounds.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:12:16

thank you, Royston, did you understand things just just to add to that really, obviously?

Royston Colley - 1:12:23

we've obviously secured planning as well, so the scheme does has got planning permission as well or deemed planning.

on that note, there was much else to add, thank you, thank you very

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:12:35

much, comments, questions, Councillor Hutchings.

I welcome the

Cllr Colin Hutchinson - 1:12:38

bringing together the access package with the station development because the two are interlinked, and I don't think they've always been closely taken in synchrony, you can't really have one without the other, so I do welcome that and given that Elland is within the 20% most deprived areas of the country,

so the improvement of the access for business development in that area is really crucial, so I would strongly strongly hope that this committee will approve the extension,

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:13:26

thank you very much, Councillor Hutchinson, Councillor Clarke, thank you, Jagdish a quick, but I think really get a sense of it in the

Cllr Peter Clarke - 1:13:30

report, can I ask officers what the principal driver of the extension of the of the timescale is please?

Royston Colley - 1:13:39

and yet also due to complex CPO issues, so unfortunately both.

S Com are both projects of article through CPO and they are still doing it at the moment, so that's quite a complex issue. In the previous development we there was a new British Standard introduced triple IT, which was firing structure So Ottawa to that to the design, hence the ramps now so it's just a combination of various things and obviously statutory objections to both CPO and the plan

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:14:15

thank you very much for your comments, questions, Councillor patient.

thank you, Chair, just to be just to be brief.

Cllr Scott Patient - 1:14:19

Elmander's waited a long time for this station, probably getting on for about 15 20 years, maybe so, although the delay is, it is unfortunate, I think the people of Elland can be patient, you know, and we can all be patient and make sure that what's delivered. It's something that works properly and hopefully utilise that time best to make sure that the active mode links within the station and to the wider area are done in the best, most most sort of structured and functional way possible. So yeah just to add that thank you

good case and could see money being drawn down for it and progressing in the meantime.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:15:00

yes.

Royston Colley - 1:15:04

thank you, Councillor, just to clarify one point for the committee both. hops and project have previously secured planning approval the rail station, more recently, the access package approval is historic, so there is a current new planning application currently under consideration to address those timescales on,

and ensure we are fully compliant with both the appraisal process and R M requirements around the CPO process.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:15:39

and that will obviously be determined elsewhere so that, rather than this committee, thank you very much so that no more further questions on that one and move on to the final on them, which is a six to nine yeah. Thank you Chair. So so this one is is via 6 2 9 is a priority

Simon Warburton - 1:15:56

corridor for us, between Huddersfield and Halifax. We split the corridor into a number of phases for our delivery programme and this is phase 1 B and Melissa is is gonna, give us the overview of this one

Mel Liburd - 1:16:09

thanks, Minister, thank you, Melanie yeah. So phase 1 B is located within the River Calder Valley and the scheme is in currently in delivery. A directly compliments Phase 1 A by building on the revised highway network and sustainable transport measures already in place

is primarily them delivering interventions to reduce congestion at the Calder and Hebble junction, and reduced journey times for cars and buses, and this is going to be achieved through a new highway link between the B 6 1 1 2 Stainland Road and the Essex 2 9.

the closure to the existing Essex 0 2 6 Wakefield road link between the Essex 2 9 Huddersfield Road and the B 6 1 1 Stoneman Road and through highway enhancements such as increasing the number of lanes, the widening of carriageways and signalised junction improvements in terms of the impact the scheme is anticipated to reduce journey times on the A 6 2 9 over the length of the Phase 1 8 1 8 and Munby sections for general track traffic during peak periods at 25%.

within the two years of opening. It's also going to support an improvement in journey, reliability and connectivity to employment, housing, education and retail. Along the Halifax to Huddersfield corridor and support an overall 8 6 2 9 programme net decrease in carbon emissions. The Combined Authority is fully funding. The scheme excuse me from the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, previous approved costs were 36 point 3 1 9 million, and the decision sought from the Transport Committee today is to increase the combined authority combined authorities contribution by 6 million to 42.6 or 9, and to extend the delivery timescale to July 2024, and the release of the 6 million of the additional funding would be as follows. An additional 4.2 for delivery costs mainly due to unforeseen circumstances

and 1.8 is a par risk costs released on the condition the scheme promoter notifies the Combined Authority of the occurrence of a risk event, the approval to release the funding is delegated to the Director of Transport and delivery and the Combined Authority enters into an addendum to the existing funding agreement with Calderdale Council for expenditure of up to 42.6 1 9 million.

future approvals are made in accordance with the Assurance pathway and approval route, outlining the purpose and to note the approval being sought is within the existing tolerance of the combined authorities, approval from the 8th of December 2022, and there is already provision for the extra money in West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund.

thank you very much any comments or questions on this one.

note, Councillor Hutchinson,

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:18:56

Cllr Colin Hutchinson - 1:18:59

I would just note that one of the major contributors to the extension extended timescale, and the costs is Northern Gas Network, this is a very congested corridor into town and the main high pressure gas main.

strategic goes right through the work site, and Northern Gas Network of LA rather belatedly decided that they want to.

replace that which is the main main main factor as far as I am aware so.

unfortunately, that you know that's an important part of national infrastructure and needs to be accommodated below, I hope the funding would be agreed to allow that to take place below, even if belatedly,

thank you.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:19:51

I think there wasn't the question, was it Councillor Chennai, not not

Cllr Colin Hutchinson - 1:19:56

really just checking just checking?

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 1:20:00

right lovely in that case, let's move to the approvals, which is first of all the a 64 bus walking and cycling corridor improvements, I am happy to recommend that.

for approval, Councillor Kahlil will second that thank you very much, all those in favour, please show, thank you very much, that is carried.

secondly, Elland rail station access and Elland rail station and access package, I again happy to recommend that for approval and Councillor Firth you can recommend the second part of this study, thank you very much, can I see all those invariably show?

thank you very much that is carried and then finally, at the A 6 to 9 phase 1, be Calderdale link road, there I'm happy to recommend that for approval, Councillor Firth, I think I can second that and of all those in favour please show that is carried. Thank you very much and then also on this paper. You've got for noting only decisions made at the Combined Authority meeting previously, which were approvals which would normally have gone to our area and that brings a meeting to a close. Can I just say before we close that it is Ian Path's last meeting with so, if that is his last day in the combined authority, he's been attracted by the bright lights of Bradford

he's going to go away from Bradford University, so we all we all regret that he's going has been very efficient and he's got it all sorted and kept us on track, so thank you very much in for all your hard work and good luck for the future, so thank you very much.

and thank you very much, I already have a good weekend when you get there.

clauses.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (Bradford Council)

Cllr Eric Firth (Kirklees Council)

Kirklees Council

Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)

Interim Director, Transport Operations & Passenger Experience

Helen Ellerton, Officer (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)

Simon Warburton, Executive Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority)

Executive Director of Transport

West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Cllr Peter Kilbane (York Council)

City of York Council

Cllr Neil Buckley

Leeds Council

Cllr Scott Patient Calderdale Council

Cllr Peter Clarke

Bradford Council

Royston Colley

Cllr Oliver Edwards

Leeds City Council

Cllr Abdul Hannan

Leeds City Council

Cllr Colin Hutchinson

Calderdale Council

Mel Liburd

Simon Linley

Cllr Matthew McLoughlin

Kirklees Council

Cllr Peter Carlill (Deputy Chair) Transport Committee

Leeds City Council

Cllr Matthew Morley Wakefield Council

Wakefield Council

Transport Committee - Thursday 16 November 2023, 11:00am - Feedback Tab - West Yorkshire Combined Authority Webcasting

Transport CommitteeThursday, 16th November 2023 at 11:00am

Agenda

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Votes

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:00:00

1 Apologies for absence

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:00:07

2 Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests

3 Exempt information - possible exclusion of the press and public

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:00:14

4 Minutes of the meeting of the Transport Committee held on 19 September 2023

5 Passenger Experience - Rail

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:01:13

Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:01:39

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:09:12

Cllr Colin Hutchinson - 0:10:43

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:11:11

Cllr Eric Firth - 0:11:16

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:11:49

Cllr Peter Carlill (Deputy Chair) Transport Committee - 0:11:52

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:12:41

Cllr Oliver Edwards - 0:13:11

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:15:02

Cllr Peter Kilbane - 0:15:23

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:15:47

Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:17:14

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:17:18

Cllr Colin Hutchinson - 0:17:23

Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:18:36

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:19:19

Simon Warburton - 0:19:33

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:20:52

Cllr Peter Kilbane - 0:20:55

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:21:41

Cllr Matthew Morley - 0:22:24

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:22:43

Dave Haskins, Interim Director (West Yorkshire Combined Authority) - 0:22:47

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:22:55

Cllr Eric Firth - 0:23:01

Simon Warburton - 0:23:36

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:24:33

Cllr Abdul Hannan - 0:24:56

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:25:23

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:26:15

6 Transport Policy Update

Helen Ellerton - 0:27:42

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:28:34

Helen Ellerton - 0:28:44

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:29:51

Helen Ellerton - 0:30:29

Cllr Eric Firth - 0:30:55

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:30:59

Helen Ellerton - 0:31:03

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:31:46

Cllr Scott Patient - 0:31:50

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:32:54

Simon Warburton - 0:33:19

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:35:02

Cllr Colin Hutchinson - 0:35:12

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:36:38

Simon Warburton - 0:36:46

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:38:01

Cllr Matthew Morley - 0:38:21

Simon Warburton - 0:38:44

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:39:16

Cllr Peter Carlill (Deputy Chair) Transport Committee - 0:39:36

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:41:30

Helen Ellerton - 0:41:35

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:41:49

Simon Warburton - 0:41:57

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe - 0:42:01

Cllr Matthew McLoughlin - 0:42:18

Transport Committee
Thursday, 16th November 2023 at 11:00am