Meeting documents

Louise Whitney, Policy Officer, Transport for Buckinghamshire

Louise Whitney, Policy Officer, took Members through a presentation on the Local Transport Plan 3. 

Louise Whitney made the following points:

·         The Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) would have a long-term, broad vision. It would not include individual schemes.

·         LTP3 would be a 15 year Strategy (2011-2026) with a rolling 3-year Implementation Plan.

·         LTP3 would not be reward-funded in the same way that LTP2 had been. However it could attract regional grants.

·         Nine Local Transport Areas had been identified which were based on Local Community Area boundaries.

·         Consultation was being carried out on three areas – LTP3 Objectives, Local Issues/Problems and Options to address problems.

·         An LTP3 pack would be sent to all Parish Councils by e-mail or by hard copy if requested.

·         Feedback could also be supplied via the BCC Website (‘Have your Say’ pages).

·         Information which had previously been gathered from Parish Councils would be included in the Consultation. However if things had changed, this should be fed back.

·         A full public Consultation would take place in Summer 2010.

·         An LTP3 Workshop would be held on 19 November 2009 at Chiltern District Council, following the LSP meeting. All Members were invited to attend this.

A Member said that he was aware of proposals for speed corridors in Chesham, regarding lights at every junction, which would be inappropriate. The Member was pleased that no action had been taken on this.

Chris Schwier said that the Chesham and Amersham Transport Strategy included priorities which would remain and which would be reviewed if funding was available. Air quality was an important issue, and traffic needed to be kept moving.

A Member asked if LTP3 would include rail and bus travel. Louise Whitney said that it included all forms of transport.

A Member of Ashley Green Parish Council said that Ashley Green had only two bus routes running through it, and that one of these had been cut with only 3.5 weeks’ notice. The Member said that if delivery of a service ceased in this way, the requirements identified in the Local Transport Plan would become insignificant. Louise Whitney said that they were acutely aware that the Plan had to be realistic and deliverable. This would be ensured through the Implementation Plans.

A Member asked about the bus service through Whelpley Hill which had been cut. The current status would be checked.

Members also made the following comments:

·         Air quality was a top priority - residents in New Town were suffering from poor air quality.

·         The off-peak bus from Chesham to Watford had stopped running, which many young people had relied on to get to Watford College.

·         Chenies Village had also lost its only ‘through’ bus.

·         Transport to Stoke Mandeville Hospital was an issue.

·         Rural transport was a huge issue as 70% of Buckinghamshire was rural.

Louise Whitney said that there was an ongoing rural bus review. All the comments made by Members should be fed into LTP3. A Bus Strategy would run alongside LTP3. Provision would always depend on budgets and commercial viability.

ACTIONS:

·         Whelpley Hill bus - check whether the Service was actually stopped and whether it has now re-started – Chris Schwier