Issue - meetings

The Panel are asked to note and comment on the current transport capital programme.

Contact: Rashid Mahmood, Head of Major Projects (interim) 01484 22 1000

Cllr Moses Crook, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Transport and Highways, introduced the Major Projects Transport Programme update, advising the Panel that the report being presented is in response to a request from Scrutiny for an update on various aspects of the transport programme.

The report includes an update on the delivery of current and future programmes, details around the TransPennine Route Upgrade, and outlines how they link up with the Transport Strategy. Furthermore, it introduces and sets out the various transport schemes that are underway and in development, as well as schemes that are currently paused at various stages, due to inflation and broader economic factors.

The report details how the Transport Strategy will inform projects and the priorities within each project. It also contains details on the work being undertaken to ensure that the TransPennine Route Upgrade scheme delivers maximum benefit for Kirklees, including providing links into communities, and supporting mode shift and inclusive economic growth.

The Panel was informed that whilst current economic conditions and inflationary pressures have resulted in several capital programs within Kirklees being paused at various stages, the inclusion of forward-looking projects, in a pipeline of projects ready for funding, gives a head start when bidding into future funding streams.  Work put into these schemes is not wasted or lost in this pipeline approach, as has recently been demonstrated by success in being allocated funding from the Levelling-Up Fund, round three, for the Penistone Line Upgrade. This success demonstrates that the transport scheme development strategy and programme is fit for purpose.

Rashid Mahmood, Head of Major Projects (interim) informed the Panel that the appended report gives a brief outline of the transport schemes, what has been done to date, key milestones, and some information on the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU). The report also contains two appendices, Appendix 1, covers the projects in detail, showing the programmes in accordance with the funding streams, and Appendix 2 gives visuals of the TransPennine Route Upgrade.

The Panel was informed that there are a number of funding streams that support the Transport Plan Capital Programme:

1.   The West Yorkshire Transport Fund – established in 2014 with £1bn funding to focus on a number of issues relating to the strategic transport movements of traffic within the district. Key development areas include orbital routes, route corridor improvements for better public transport options, road and rail improvement between district hubs to provide capacity and better connectivity, and enhancing railway station gateways for example, better access.

2.   City Regional Sustainable Transport Fund (CRSTS) – set up to make transformational changes in local transport networks. The programme will fund transport improvements including walking and cycling infrastructure and will enable more people to access public transport and promote walking and cycling in line with local and regional strategies. It was a five year programme, which started in 2022 and will run until 2027. There are discussions ongoing about CRSTS 2, to develop beyond 2027.

3.   Transforming Cities Fund (TCF)  –  forms part of the CRSTS,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8