Agenda item

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 commented that the Council could charge for certain roads which were congested and which might help pollution levels. 

Members thanked the Officers for the thorough report and supported the recommendations, as detailed.

RESOLVED -  that the Executive be asked to:

(A)     in partnership with Hertfordshire Highways, consider 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);

(B)   consider 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;

(C)   invest in a fixed term role within the Council to actively promote sustainable transport platforms and campaigns within the District, supported by a Member champion;

(D)   as part of that person’s work programme, assist in the roll out of the park and stride model to schools in Hertford, Ware, Buntingford and Bishop’s Stortford;

(E)   undertake 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);

(F)   support the relevant landowners with investments to enable  minor changes to the cycle networks to encourage use;

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

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

(I)        continue to encourage uptake of CVS community transport options;

(J)   consider commissioning 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;

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

(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;

(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”;

(N) 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 uses the recently awarded DEFRA monies to begin a step change in the Council’s approach to supporting use of electric cars.