Issue - meetings

That (A) in principle, revenue funding be committed to actively promote sustainable transport platforms and campaigns within the District;

(B)     in partnership with Hertfordshire Highways, the cost and benefits of a charging mechanism for use of the road infrastructure, targeting certain types of vehicles (e.g. HGVs) or journeys taking place at certain times of the day (e.g. during rush hour), be considered;

(C)    a charge for use of the car park at the East Herts Council offices, alongside an incentive scheme for those who car share or use lower emissions vehicles, be considered;

(D)    as part of an overall  work programme supported by revenue funding, the park and stride model to schools in Hertford, Ware, Buntingford and Bishop’s Stortford, be rolled out;

(E)     further consultation with members of the public (building on responses already received) about what specific improvements to the current cycling and walking networks would encourage more journeys (e.g. electric charging points, cycling lanes, track improvements, etc) be undertaken;

(F)     investment in minor changes to the cycling and walking networks to encourage greater use, be supported;

(G)    cycling and walking networks be promoted in conjunction with the County Council and the bike and go scheme in Bishop’s Stortford be pro-actively marketed;

(H)    volunteering opportunities to maintain and improve cycling and walking routes be considered with East Herts Council’s volunteering policy;

(I)      uptake of CVS community transport options be encouraged;

(J)     working in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire’s Smart Mobility Research Unit to look at mobility as a service business model for East Herts, viable on demand business models and driverless technology, be considered;

(K)     the marketing and promotion of the Intalink mobile app to rural communities in East Herts, be supported;

(L)     work in partnership with strategic bodies such as the County Council, LEP and LSCC to lobby the Department for Transport) for an East/ West light rail route, including a link to Buntingford and extending Stansted Airport links to Great Dunmow and Braintree, be supported;

(M)    work in partnership with strategic bodies such as the County Council, LEP and LSCC for commuters to “think train” as well as lobby train service providers to “think customer”, be supported;

(N)    the Council continues to ensure that, through the District Plan, travel planning and sustainable transport is an early consideration for any new development; and

(O)    the Council continues to make further provision for electric car parking and charging points within its car parks and encourages their inclusion in all future housing developments.

The Executive considered the report of the Sustainable Transport Task and Finish Group and its recommendations, which had been supported by Environment Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor J Wyllie, as the Chairman of the Task and Finish Group, thanked everyone who had contributed to the work which had culminated in the recommendations before the Executive.  He highlighted the importance of improved bus services and extending rail services to Buntingford.  He also spoke of reducing congestion in Bishop’s Stortford by extending rail links to Stansted Airport from Great Dunmow and Braintree.

In response to questions raised on electric charging points, the Executive Member for Environment and the Public Space outlined the good progress being made in their provision, which had been boosted by bidding successfully for DEFRA/DoT funding that had been obtained.  He also referred to a pilot electric vehicle car club that would be running in Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford, to promote the benefits of electric cars and to encourage greater use.

The Executive approved the recommendations now detailed.

RESOLVED - that (A) in principle, revenue funding be committed to actively promote sustainable transport platforms and campaigns within the District;

(B)      in partnership with Hertfordshire Highways, the cost and benefits of a charging mechanism for use of the road infrastructure, targeting certain types of vehicles (e.g. HGVs) or journeys taking place at certain times of the day (e.g. during rush hour), be considered;

(C)      a charge for use of the car park at the East Herts Council offices, alongside an incentive scheme for those who car share or use lower emissions vehicles, be considered;

(D)      as part of an overall  work programme supported by revenue funding, the park and stride model to schools in Hertford, Ware, Buntingford and Bishop’s Stortford, be rolled out;

(E)      further consultation with members of the public (building on responses already received) about what specific improvements to the current cycling and walking networks would encourage more journeys (e.g. electric charging points, cycling lanes, track improvements, etc) be undertaken;

(F)       investment in minor changes to the cycling and walking networks to encourage greater use, be supported;

(G)      cycling and walking networks be promoted in conjunction with the County Council and the bike and go scheme in Bishop’s Stortford be pro-actively marketed;

(H)      volunteering opportunities to maintain and improve cycling and walking routes be considered with East Herts Council’s volunteering policy;

(I)        uptake of CVS community transport options be encouraged;

(J)       working in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire’s Smart Mobility Research Unit to look at mobility as a service business model for East Herts, viable on demand business models and driverless technology, be considered;

(K)      the marketing and promotion of the Intalink mobile app to rural communities in East Herts, be supported;

(L)       work in partnership with strategic bodies such as the County Council, LEP and LSCC to lobby the Department for Transport) for an East/ West light rail route, including a link to Buntingford and extending Stansted Airport links to Great Dunmow and Braintree, be supported;

(M)      work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25

The Chairman of the Sustainable Transport Task and Finish Group submitted a report setting out the recommendations of the Group.  The Head of Communications Strategy and Policy provided a summary of the review, the methodology and lines of enquiry undertaken.  The Chairman, on behalf of Members, thanked the Officers for their help in contributing to the work of the Task and Finish group.

Councillor R Cheswright referred to the limited amount of electric cars available and of their high purchase cost.  She supported greater involvement in this form of transport and that this should be encouraged further.  Councillor R Cheswright stated that sometimes, there was no alternative for people to use their own vehicles, particularly in areas not supported by good public transport.  Councillor H Drake supported this view adding that people did not always have the ability to buy new cars.  She stated that some of the suggestions put forward by some members of the public (as detailed within the Essential Reference Paper) would be unfair to road users.

Councillor G Cutting felt that there were some “quick wins” to be had and that the cost of the electric car and its battery were expensive.  He referred to the suggestion that diesel cars caused congestion and stated that some diesel cars now were far more efficient than some of the diesels used by old buses currently on the roads.

The Environmental Strategy and Development Manager provided an update on the progress being made in relation to electric vehicles and their range.  He explained that approximately 25% of all journeys were less than two miles.  He added that the newest type of diesel engine (Euro 6) were in some cases 95% cleaner than older vehicles.  Councillor K Crofton stated that the issue was not just about pollutants and gridlocked roads, but about encouraging bus services to provide a usable service.  He commented that this could not be done by East Herts alone and needed the support and input from a countywide perspective.

Councillor H Drake suggested a number of schemes which might incentivise greater bus usage.  The Environmental Strategy and Development Manager  explained that the Council was particularly targeting schools in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford and Sawbridgeworth to participate in National Clean Air Day, which  would be held on 15 June 2017. The initiative this year had the aim of encouraging more sustainable travel to/from school together with promoting an anti-idling campaign, highlighting the risks to health of pollution from vehicle exhausts.  Councillor S Reed commented that mini-buses could be deployed on a circulating basis. 

The Chairman stated that the Task and Finish Group had considered the use of yellow school buses as used in the USA, but this worked there because of the sheer size of the schools and the number of pupils attending which were widely dispersed.

The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy stated that charging for roads in East Herts was something the Executive could do but that this needed further thought and debate.  Councillor M Freeman  ...  view the full minutes text for item 594