Meeting documents

Verbal update on the Wycombe Transport Strategy to be given by Rosie Brake (Principal Policy Officer – Planning & Sustainability) and Simon Barlow (Infrastructure & Projects Officer – Planning & Sustainability).

Members were given a comprehensive presentation by Simon Barlow (Infrastructure & Projects Officer – Planning & Sustainability) assisted by Rosie Brake (Principal Policy Officer – Planning & Sustainability) on the High Wycombe Transport Vision and Strategy.

The presentation represented an update on that given to Members back in January, Mr Barlow mentioned the forthcoming workshop in respect of the Strategy to be held in Committee Rooms 1 & 2 at Wycombe District Council the following Wednesday 19 June 2019 2pm to 5pm, at which all Members input was most welcome.

Mr Barlow emphasised the tie in of the Strategy with the ongoing regeneration work in the District overseen by the Council’s Regeneration and Investment team.

The Strategy was to include a vision of how High Wycombe was to look and feel in 2050. It would help stakeholders to:

·         Understand existing and potential future transport issues;

·         Manage the impacts of proposed developments;

·         Deliver wider place related improvements; and

·         Better co-ordinate planned and future transport schemes.

Overall the Council wished to be more proactive than reactive within formulating and delivering the Strategy.

Referring to the map outlining the Study Area, it was noted that this was not just the Town Centre, it included the whole built up area of High Wycombe; this recognised that impacts came from further afield.

Key questions to be addressed in the Strategy were:

·         How do we travel now, what will be the impact if we just carry on as now i.e. business as usual?

·         How might we travel in the future?

·         How might things change with new technology?

Developments over the last 30 years had been numerous, it would be hard to anticipate those of the next 30 years to 2050. Trends that could be certain were a lower carbon economy, an aging population, a growing population and a more urban population. Trends that could be less certain were an openness to new transport and the sharing of transport.

Members made a number of points and received clarification on a number of issues:

·         Marlow was not included in the Strategy as it was a separate town and was not subject to as much development as High Wycombe under the current Local Plan;

·         The Town Centre Masterplan related to the present, evidenced by the delivery of the recent Queen Victoria Road changes and the imminent opening of the Gas Works link road. The Strategy represented the future long term vision for the Town.

·         Members emphasised that one could not over exaggerate the importance of public transport provision for the Town in the future;

·         Driverless cars, car sharing and incentives to entice people away from their cars were all referred to;

·         Car usage to be seen as a privilege rather than a right; with a change in culture being needed;

·         Work place parking levies and congestion charges were usable options, if there was sufficient courage to utilise them;

·         Members were assured that good practice from Europe and worldwide were to be looked at and considered / adapted for our Town;

·         It was confirmed that CIL (Community Infrastructure Levies) could be utilised to subsidise transport schemes and initiatives;

·         Reliability and cheaper pricing of public transport was seen as key to greater take-up;

·         Being plugged into the TFL (Transport for London) system / grid was seen as a beneficial move to be considered not only ahead in the Strategy but also in the near future; and

·         The consultees due to input into the consultation were outlined and the need for a broad cross section of views and interests was noted.

Mr Barlow and Ms Brake were thanked for their comprehensive and informative presentation on a key issue for the Town and District, they assured Members that their comments made this evening, which were invaluable input, would be fed into the said consultation.