Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report identifies the different types of technology that are developing in vehicles with regard to automation and connectivity and the Government’s approach to this developing technology, and identifies a series of implications for Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the report.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) identifying the different types of technology that were developing in vehicles with regard to automation and connectivity and the Government’s approach to this developing technology, and identified a series of implications for Stockport.

The Council was part of Project Synergy which was using the latest sensor technology to allow three low carbon electric sports vehicles to drive in a close formation platoon between Stockport railway station and Manchester Airport. This was expected to be introduced on a trial basis by October 2018.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• A lot of autonomous vehicles were dependent on road markings so the Council would have to have a programme in the future to re-mark some of its roads.
• Bus stops and routes would need to be interlinked with the technology.
• Autonomous vehicles would allow for greater social mobility, allowing people to use public transport and then autonomous vehicles for the last part of their journey.
• There may be ‘knock on’ effects with the introduction of autonomous vehicles such as people driving less, a reduction in the number of road traffic accidents and people using other forms of transport.

·         Some Members expressed scepticism that people would be prepared to no longer own their own cars.

·         Concern was expressed about the safety of autonomous vehicles, the need for infrastructure to be put in place and whether or not autonomous vehicles would reduce traffic congestion.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on Project Synergy.