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, with a key focus on accessibility, providing attractive and clean alternative modes of transport to car journeys, and connecting people to economic and educational centres. There is also a focus on healthier communities for the future, air quality and carbon emissions.
4. Active Travel Fund (ATF) – set up to create more space for walking and cycling schemes, while easing the pressure on public transport and relieving congestion on the current networks. The recent successful tranche four award to Kirklees is for £2.3m. This is for two schemes to upgrade towpaths along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal Phase 3 (Slaithwaite to Marsden) and the Huddersfield Broad Canal (Aspley Marina to Cooper Bridge) to support residents to walk and cycle more easily, providing health and environmental benefits.
The Panel was advised that further details on the individual projects can be found in Appendix 1.
The Panel was informed that in October 2022, the West Yorkshire Transport Fund (WYTF) wider programme went through an inflation review process which resulted in schemes in Kirklees being paused or reduced in scope. The revised funding strategy is being developed with colleagues at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to help manage the project funding gap. In 2024, a reprofiled programme will be agreed,within the original funding allocation.
The Panel was further informed regarding the work taking place on the TransPennine Route Upgrade, including the purpose of the scheme, costs, and timescales. Attention was drawn to paragraph 2.5.2 of the report, which outlined the scope of the Project, which identifies parts of the scheme which are relevant to Kirklees.
The Panel was advised that collaborative working arrangements are in place with TRU, and there are formal working groups that meet monthly to feedback any issues to ensure that the works being undertaken are done in a way that will cause little disruption to residents and communities. The working groups are:
- Highways Network Management Group
- Property Group - Planning and Environmental Group
- Heritage Group
- Waste Project Delivery Group
- Communications Group
- Biodiversity/Landscape Group
Any issues that cannot be resolved, are escalated to a formal bi-monthly Programme Level meeting between Kirklees directors and senior sponsors of Network Rail.
The Panel was provided with information which outlined aspects of the ambitions and vision of Mass Transit, specifically: combatting climate change, providing a real and sustainable alternative to the car, cutting emissions, improving air quality, and supporting productivity and inclusive growth. West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) are currently preparing the Strategic Outline Case for Phase 1 of Mass Transit in conjunction with Kirklees officers to ensure that benefits are maximised for the district.
The Panel was advised that the Penistone Line has secured £48m of Levelling Up funding and officers are working with partners including WYCA, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Barnsley, Northern, Transport for the North, and Network Rail to come to an understanding of a governance structure that will help to deliver that project.
In response to the information presented, the Panel made comments and asked questions including some of the following:
- The report section 2.4, makes reference to schemes that have been paused, is it possible to give an explanation of what M2D2L means?
- Whilst it is good that officers are talking with partners about moving forward with the Penistone Line, what involvement and information will be given to Councillors to enable them to influence what is going on and feedback to residents, and how will that be managed?
- It is acknowledged that the scale of investment is positive, however there does not seem to be much investment in the South of the borough, except in Holmfirth Town Centre.
- Improvements were welcomed, especially mobility hubs at several stations, however a concern was raised that while large sums of money were being spent on improvement on stations, there was little mention of the reliability of buses and trains. It was suggested that this was down to the bus and train operators, therefore, it is important for the public to know that this is not within the remit of the Council.
- Officers were congratulated on the success of the bid for the TransPennine Route Upgrade, as any improvements there are appreciated. It is important to link the benefits of the TRU Upgrade with the wider projects in the area, particularly the Marsden Blueprint and the Marsden Place Standards.
- With regard to Strategic Transport Priorities it states that “All communities across the district are connected and have equal access to opportunities” - Is this realistic or aspirational and what is meant by “opportunities”?
- There was an announcement in November of £8bn to be invested in roads and transport, this was money that was released when the HS2 scheme was cancelled. £3.3 bn was to be directed to Yorkshire and the Humber. Does this programme include the schemes funded through this money or is that funding allocation being worked on?
RESOLVED
That Rashid Mahmood and Cllr Crook be thanked for providing an update on the Major Projects Transport Programme Update (General).