Decision - 2020/21 Local Transport Plan Capital Programme

RESOLVED:

(1)         That the 2020/21 Local Transport Plan capital programme budget allocation of £8.658 million, as set out in Appendix 1 of this report be agreed; as an interim measure, further to (4) below;

(2)         That it be noted that a final decision on the allocation of £3.900m of the capital programme to projects and programmes outlined in paragraph 3.8 of this report, will be made at a future Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee meeting;

(3)         That the availability of the £3.900m element of the 2020/21 capital programme in 2.2. above, is likely to be deferred until the 2021/22 financial year be noted as it was expected to be achieved through borrowing against forecast surplus parking income and will therefore need to be reviewed in light of the financial implications arising from the Covid-19 outbreak;

(4)         That committee agree to instruct officers to urgently explore:
- how the work of the LTP and associated council transport plans can be rendered more flexible, in order to respond to the impact of the covid19 pandemic and future needs, (such as the council’s previously stated commitment to explore a car-free city centre) e.g. through:

Ø  options to bring forward plans to improve footpaths, widen pavements;

Ø  options to improve the city’s cycle network, through provision of temporary cycle tracks where feasible and practicable; and particularly where they may not require a formal TRO, as evidenced by the ‘keyworker corridor’ set up in other councils e.g. Leicester;

Ø  further consideration of options for road closures, to support social distancing measures and provision of safe daily exercise with any costings and impact on the current LTP to be detailed. Committee members note this may require an urgency meeting of P&R or ETS and agree to this in principle should it be necessary;

(5)         That a review of the Terms of Reference of the SCRIF MOG group be undertaken in time to inform the prioritisation of the delayed £3.9m SCRIF budget.