Agenda item

Nick Doran introduced Alan Simpson, the Sustainable Travel Ambassador for the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), who talked to the Forum about his role.

The East Midlands is the region with the highest growth in traffic, with too few buses in the north of the region and too many cars in the south. Planned growth in the area with new housing will bring more cars to the area.

The Mayor’s budget is mainly designated for capital spending, which could be used in various ways, including purchasing land for park and ride schemes.  Integrated transport and access solutions are needed, with ideas being sought as part of the current consultation on the Mayor’s Transport Plan for the East Midlands.  Alan asked for input from the PDLAF.

LAF members asked about the plan for using automated self-drive vehicles, as used in other countries, and considered the difficulties of scheduled bus and train services adequately serving rural areas.

There was concern expressed that there was no mention of the need for journeys for leisure activities in the Mayor’s Transport Plan consultation and no reference to horse riders.  It was felt that the consultation was urban focussed. It didn’t mention the Rights of Way network and how to improve it.  Accessing open spaces locally is a challenge in rural as well as urban  areas.

The consultation provides an opportunity to think strategically on transport across borders with constituent authorities in a National Park, not only with the East Midlands region but into South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Staffordshire.  The East Midlands provides important connectivity because of the link to other regions.  Cross ticketing across areas and schemes would simplify people’s access to public transport.

Provision of cycling routes is some way behind the rest of Europe and there is a need for safe routes operating in conjunction with public transport corridors The mayor’s transport plan consultation is an opportunity for communities to put ideas forward for what could work in their area.  In order for schemes to work locally they need connectivity to the wider network.

Action:  PDLAF to consider submitting feedback to the Mayor’s EMCCA transport plan consultation.