Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester has, in partnership with the 10 GM boroughs, TfGM and Highways England, produced a plan for tackling congestion across Greater Manchester. The plan sets out actions under seven themes, which Greater Manchester can endeavour to implement now and over the next few years to tackle congestion. It offers a deal for transport bodies to do more to manage the transport network and to provide people with more choice about how and when they travel, in return for businesses and individuals making the changes they can to reduce their impact on congestion.

The plan is part of the more long-term Greater Manchester 2040 Transport Strategy. It is also fully integrated with, and supportive of, the broader policy agenda, including the development of a new plan to improve local air quality; the ambitions for more cycling and walking set out in the Cycling and Walking Commissioner’s ‘Made to Move’ report; and use of the Bus Services Act to improve public transport options. The plan also aligns with the Council’s strategic framework, including the SEMMM Strategy Refresh, and emerging Cycling and Walking Strategy.

The Greater Manchester Congestion Plan was approved by the GMCA on the 29th March 2018 alongside a recommendation that each Local Authority be recommended to take the plan through individual council approval processes for endorsement. This reflects the fact that a number of the measures identified in the plan are within the responsibility of the local planning and highways authorities.

The Cabinet is recommended to note the implications of the Congestion Deal for Stockport and endorse the Deal.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161-474-4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider the Greater Manchester Congestion Deal Plan, developed by all ten Greater Manchester Boroughs, Transport for Greater Manchester and Highways England setting out actions to tackle congestion and incentivise congestion-reducing behaviours.

The Plan had been adopted by the Combined Authority in March 2018, but each Local Authority as a highways authority was being asked to endorse the plan and commit to the measures contained within it.

The Cabinet Member emphasised that this Plan complemented the Council’s own strategic documents and would be delivered in concert with other local councils and Transport for Greater Manchester.

The Leader of the Council stressed that it would be impossible for the Council of TfGM to remove the problem of congestion and so highlighted the fact the measures in the plan were practical and realistic proposals to help reduce the problems of congestion.

RESOLVED – That Greater Manchester Congestion Deal and Plan be endorsed and the implications for Stockport be noted.

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

The report sets out a plan produced by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, in partnership with the ten local authorities in Greater Manchester, Transport for Greater Manchester and Highways England, for tackling congestion across Greater Manchester.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the implications of the Greater Manchester Congestion Plan for Stockport and endorse the plan in advance of its submission to the Cabinet for approval.

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) setting out a plan produced by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, in partnership with the ten local authorities in Greater Manchester, Transport for Greater Manchester and Highways England, for tackling congestion across Greater Manchester.

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:-

• Whilst offering general support to the report, Members queried how Stockport would benefit from what was contained in it.
• More emphasis should be placed on employers encouraging employees to work from home.
• Stockport was close to gridlock on the M60 at peak times and a Member requested information on traffic flows on the M60.
• For the benefit of new Members of the Scrutiny Committee, the Cabinet Member agreed to circulate the report on transport priorities for Stockport which had previously been circulated to Members of the Scrutiny Committee.
• Support was given to the ‘Streets for All’ programme to improve highways for all road users.

RESOLVED – that the report be noted.