Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides details of the proposed Transportation capital programme for 2024/25 and where possible an indicative programme for future years.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

(1) Comment on the programme; and

(2) Support the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services’ approval of the programme in line with the Council Budget.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of the proposed transportation capital programme for 2024/25 and where possible an indicative programme for future years.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Urban Traffic Control Schemes were described as a set of traffic signals for use by pedestrians.

·         Members requested that consideration be given to coordinating pothole repairs with utility works on roads.

·         It was reported that the recent central government announcement of £2.5 billion for new infrastructure schemes was for smaller urban areas and not for the Greater Manchester area. The settlement figure for Greater Manchester was not yet known.

·         Opportunities were being sought for areas in which to implement the proposed 20mph zone scheme and Members were invited to make suggestions. Roads with long-distance cycle routes were being given priority for 20 mph zones.

·         Members commented that it would be useful to consider implementing 20mph zones into schemes for road safety around schools. In response it was stated that road safety around schools was funded by a capital programme which had the capacity to implement schemes for two or three schools across the borough per year. The inclusion of 20mph zones would have the effect of reducing the number of road safety around school schemes that the council was able to create.

·         Members requested that consideration be given to improvements to faded yellow-line markings, which could not be enforced, to be undertaken as a batch scheme across the borough.

·         Members requested that significant roadworks schemes, particularly those affecting the town centre, be considered by a future meeting of this Committee.

·         Members requested a report on the National Pothole Scheme be brought to a future meeting of this Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services’ approval of the programme be supported in line with the Council Budget.