Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/121

Contact: James Gagg, OxCam Corridor Co-ordinator Tel: 07776 997303

Report by Director for Planning & Place (CA10).

This report gives an update on development of a Transport Strategy for England's Economic Heartland (EEH), and specifically seeks Cabinet endorsement to the County Council consultation response to the Outline Transport Strategy: Framework for Engagement document.

The Outline Transport Strategy document marks the start of the process for development of a transport strategy for the EEH area, and includes a proposed vision, as well as chapters setting out proposed priority areas for improvements to connectivity. It is considered important as a core EEH partner that the County Council both responds to the current engagement exercise and continues to influence and input to development of the full transport strategy for the EEH area as it develops.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to;

(a)          endorse the County Council response to England’s Economic Heartland Outline Transport Strategy: Framework for Engagement document as included in Appendix 1, and;

(b)          ask officers to continue to engage positively in development of the Transport Strategy, reporting back on progress to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Cabinet where relevant.

Recommendations agreed subject to the amendment shown in bold italics below:

(a)  Endorse the County Council response to England’s Economic Heartland Outline Transport Strategy: Framework for Engagement document as included in Appendix 1 subject to amendment to refer to the concerns regarding the third Thames crossing as detailed in the Council motion agreed at the meeting on 10 September 2019; and

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Cabinet considered a report that gave an update on development of a Transport Strategy for England's Economic Heartland (EEH) and provided a draft response to England’s Economic Heartland Outline Transport Strategy: Framework for Engagement document.

Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment in welcoming the useful report that highlighted connectivity indicated that there were huge transport challenges. He supported the endorsement of the rail link in paragraph 8 and on page 104 but was unable to support reference to the OxCam Expressway which he felt should be left out.

During discussion Councillor Bartholomew referred to an omission in the report. The report did not refer to the proposed road bridge crossing the Thames at Reading. If it went ahead it would have a massive impact on the area. In the officer report there was no mention of the motion agreed at Council in September that representations be made that should a new bridge be built it should be restricted to public transport, cyclists and pedestrians. The motion also argued that mitigation be considered alongside the scheme at the same time. Councillor Bartholomew proposed an amendment to include these concerns in the response.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)        endorse the County Council response to England’s Economic Heartland Outline Transport Strategy: Framework for Engagement document as included in Appendix 1 subject to amendment to refer to the concerns regarding the third Thames crossing as detailed in the Council motion agreed at the meeting on 10 September 2019; and

(b)        ask officers to continue to engage positively in development of the Transport Strategy, reporting back on progress to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Cabinet where relevant.

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