The Highways and Transport Committee met to discuss a range of issues including the final accounts for 2023/24, the service budget for 2024/25, and the Local Transport Plan and Bus Service Improvement Plan. They also heard representations about a potential diversion order for a footpath at Smallwood, near Holmes Chapel and a petition about traffic calming measures in Audlem. The Committee voted to approve the final accounts for 2023/24, to note the service budget for 2024/25 and to recommend that the Council approves the final draft of the Borough's Local Transport Plan.

Borough's new Local Transport Plan

The Committee discussed the final draft of Cheshire East's new Local Transport Plan for 2024-2030, which was presented to the meeting in a report by the Director of Place.

The new plan, which will be in place from 2024 to 2030, sets out the strategic framework for transport planning in the Borough for the next six years.

It sets out our ambition and priorities for transport and is supported by evidence and data, including what you have told us is important to you. It will be used when we make decisions on new transport schemes, policies and investment strategies in Cheshire East and will ensure that all future funding is spent in the right places.

The plan is organised around four key themes:

1. A low carbon network: which focuses on reducing emissions from transport.
2. A healthy active network: which prioritises making it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle
3. A safe and reliable network: which focuses on improving road safety.
4. A thriving well-connected network: which aims to improve connections between towns and villages.

Some Councillors expressed concerns about aspects of the plan. Councillor David Marren suggested that it lacked ambition for walking and cycling.

I think the document’s excellent, I’ve got no problem with the content at all, other than the fact I think it’s unambitious, I think if we’re looking at 2030 to deliver some of the aspirations in this document, it’s going to be too late, and particularly, in my view, the active travel agenda, I think, really needs beefing up

Councillor Sam Corcoran questioned whether the Council was delivering on the objectives of the previous Local Transport Plan.

My concern is not with the aspirations and the plans that are in this document, it’s with delivery on the ground and this Committee has received many reports in previous meetings which have shown how far we are failing to meet our targets, for example, on road repairs

The Committee voted to recommend the Council approves the final draft of the Local Transport Plan 2024-2030.

Bus Service Improvement Plan

The Committee received a report on the progress made on the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which was submitted to government in 2021.

Councillors were told that the Council had spent or allocated all of the £15.6 million in funding it received from the Department for Transport. The money will fund a range of schemes including:

• Improving bus stop infrastructure by installing Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) displays at bus stops.
• Funding a Demand Responsive Transport pilot in rural areas.
• Delivering a range of junction improvements.
• Introducing a bus priority package.
• Funding the concessionary fares reimbursement scheme.

A report presented to the Committee suggests that, in conjunction with the pandemic and other factors, these measures have had a positive impact on bus ridership in Cheshire East.

In 2023/24, passenger numbers in Cheshire East were at 89% of pre-covid levels compared to an England average of 85%

The meeting also discussed the Council's proposals to make changes to bus services that it supports financially. The council is legally required to review these services every year to make sure that they represent value for money for taxpayers.

The Committee noted the report.

Footpath Diversion at Smallwood

Cheshire East Council, as the local highways authority, has received an application to divert a public footpath at Smallwood, near Holmes Chapel.

The application has been made by the Tatton Estate, which wants to divert the footpath to make way for the construction of a new solar farm.

Some Councillors expressed concerns that the proposed diversion would make the footpath less attractive to walkers.

I think, on balance, having reviewed it, there is more detriment to the users if the diversion order is granted.

The Committee voted to refuse the diversion order.

Petition requesting traffic calming measures in Audlem

The Committee discussed a petition submitted to the Council requesting traffic calming measures in the village of Audlem, near Nantwich.

The petition, which was submitted under the Council's Petitions Scheme, was submitted by residents concerned about speeding traffic on the A525 through the village. The petition calls for a range of measures to be implemented, including the installation of speed cameras and the introduction of a weight limit for HGVs travelling through the village.

The petition states that:

The volume of traffic using this road has become intolerable. It is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident in Audlem.

In response to the concerns raised by residents, the Council has committed to undertaking a speed survey on the A525 to assess whether the existing speed limit is being adhered to.

The report notes that the Council has

...recently completed the installation of interactive speed signs on the approaches to the village, which it is hoped will lead to a reduction in speeds.

Councillors voted to note the petition and to await the outcome of the speed survey.

Accounts and Budget

The Committee received a report on the final outturn for 2023/24, which showed that the Highways and Transport service area is expected to be £1.815 million over budget.

The report states that the overspend has arisen due to a number of pressures, including the rising cost of fuel, materials and contractors fees, driven by inflation.

It is important to recognise that inflation has significantly impacted costs within the service area

The report also notes underspends within the service area, but states that

...it is not possible to offset these underspends against the overspending pressures

The Committee voted to approve the final outturn for 2023/24.

The Committee also considered a report on the service budget for 2024/25. The report showed that the Highways and Transport service area is expected to have a net budget of £147 million in 2024/25.

The Committee noted the service budget for 2024/25.