Issue - meetings

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

In November 2017, Cabinet reviewed and agreed Stockport’s transport priorities following the outcomes of the South East Manchester Mutli Modal Strategy (SEMMMS) Issues and Options consultation.

Work has been progressing since this agreement was reached, to translate these priorities into a draft SEMMM Strategy document ready for public consultation prior to its final adoption by both Stockport and Cheshire East Councils.

A public consultation on the draft Strategy commenced on Monday 21st May and is due to run for a 6 week period. Following the consultation, the draft Strategy will be reviewed and revised in light of the feedback received and a final version will be submitted for consideration by the Council later this year.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a draft South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy which set out the priorities for the SEMMMS area out to 2040 and presenting what delivery of the strategy in its entirety could mean for the SEMMMS area.  While the delivery of the package of schemes will be subject to further investigations to evaluate the technical feasibility and commercial viability of individual schemes, the draft Strategy presented the priorities for the SEMMMS area which should be explored further and progressed by both the Council, its partners, and wider stakeholders.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Consideration should be given to extending the use of the Greater Manchester Traincard into areas adjacent to the Greater Manchester boundary.

·         The SEMMM Strategy was a cross-border exercise and took account of developments taking place in Cheshire East.

·         It was commented that given the ongoing impact of traffic on the A34 consideration should have been given to holding an engagement event in the Cheadle Hulme area.  It was further stated that the programmed events needed to be widely publicised.  

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

In November 2017, Cabinet reviewed and agreed Stockport’s transport priorities following the outcomes of the South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy (SEMMMS) Issues and Options consultation.

Work has been progressing since this agreement was reached, to translate these priorities into a draft SEMMM Strategy document ready for public consultation prior to its final adoption by both Stockport and Cheshire East Councils.

A public consultation on the draft Strategy commenced on Monday 21st May and is due to run for a 6 week period. Following the consultation, the draft Strategy will be reviewed and revised in light of the feedback received and a final version will be submitted for consideration by the Council later this year.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a draft South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy which set out the priorities for the SEMMMS area up to 2040 and presenting what the delivery of the strategy in its entirety could mean for the SEMMMS area. Whilst the delivery of the package of schemes would be subject to further investigations to evaluate the technical feasibility and commercial viability of individual schemes, the draft Strategy presented the priorities for the SEMMMS area which should be explored further and progressed by the Council, its partners and wider stakeholders.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• The objectives in Section 4 ‘Vision and Objectives’ of the consultation draft needed to be re-ordered insofar as an increase in the use of sustainable transport needed to precede the tackling of congestion.
• The enhanced highways programme referred to in Section 5.1 ‘Developing the Interventions  – Strategic Approach’ was out of kilter with the key priorities .The only solution to traffic problems was improved public transport.
• The Committee was supportive of Metrolink coming to Stockport and comments were made about the possible routes for it. 
• There was a balance between ensuring that there was a safe environment where people could walk and cycle, and firms moving goods by lorry to facilitate their business.
• In the Brinnington and Central Ward, schemes for the Heaton Norris Bridge and the Brinnington Tunnel were important and Ward Members requested updates on them.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

In November 2017, Cabinet reviewed and agreed Stockport’s transport priorities following the outcomes of the South East Manchester Mutli Modal Strategy (SEMMMS) Issues and Options consultation.

Work has been progressing since this agreement was reached, to translate these priorities into a draft SEMMM Strategy document ready for public consultation prior to its final adoption by both Stockport and Cheshire East Councils.

A public consultation on the draft Strategy commenced on Monday 21st May and is due to run for a 6 week period. Following the consultation, the draft Strategy will be reviewed and revised in light of the feedback received and a final version will be submitted for consideration by the Council later this year.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the activities being undertaken as part of the consultation period and comment on the draft Strategy.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) advising the Area Committee of a consultation for the South East Manchester Multi Model (SEMMM) Strategy refresh.

The Chair encouraged Councillors and members of the public to feed any comments which they had into the consultation. The Committee discussed a wide variety of issues including rail links between Marple and Stockport, the continued development of the cycling and walking networks, the possible introduction of Metrolink in the borough and the closer integration of transport with land use planning.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

In November 2017, Cabinet reviewed and agreed Stockport’s transport priorities following the outcomes of the South East Manchester Mutli Modal Strategy (SEMMMS) Issues and Options consultation.

Work has been progressing since this agreement was reached, to translate these priorities into a draft SEMMM Strategy document ready for public consultation prior to its final adoption by both Stockport and Cheshire East Councils.

A public consultation on the draft Strategy commenced on Monday 21st May and is due to run for a 6 week period. Following the consultation, the draft Strategy will be reviewed and revised in light of the feedback received and a final version will be submitted for consideration by the Council later this year.

The Area Committee is invited to note the activities being undertaken as part of the consultation period and comment on the draft Strategy.

Sue Stevenson, Head of Highways and Transportation, at the Council attended the meeting to present a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a draft South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy which set out the priorities for the SEMMMS area out to 2040 and presenting what delivery of the strategy in its entirety could mean for the SEMMMS area.  While the delivery of the package of schemes will be subject to further investigations to evaluate the technical feasibility and commercial viability of individual schemes, the draft Strategy presented the priorities for the SEMMMS area which should be explored further and progressed by both the Council, its partners, and wider stakeholders.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         In relation to cycle connectivity it was suggested that the route of the existing  cycleway in Hazel that crossed Chester Road would be better to pass under the bridge through the rail station car park. In response it was acknowledged that this was a more desirable solution but to safety concerns about the visibility of cyclists under the bridge Network Rail had refused to allow this.

·         The aspiration for Metrolink to Stockport was supported, but more detail was requested in relation to potential route options and timescales. In response it was suggested that a tram-train solution was the more likely solution for Stockport although there were legal rules preventing the sharing lines by trams and heavy rail and pilots into the feasibility of this would take time to translate into a local scheme. All options were being considered, although there were complications and challenges to them all and the costs of any scheme would be significant.

·         A significant challenge to encourage the use of public transport was the lack of non-peak evening buses, particularly for communities not services by the 192. This also meant there were often insufficient links between local communities or to key facilities such as hospitals. In response it was stated that many such services were subsidised by councils through TfGM but because the levies were being frozen this often resulted in cuts to those subsidies. In these circumstances there needed to be a focus on those services that provided the greatest value for money.

·         The erosion of local train services under the current franchise with Northern Rail negated the promises made to expand services. It was vital to protect existing local services.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

In November 2017, Cabinet reviewed and agreed Stockport’s transport priorities following the outcomes of the South East Manchester Mutli Modal Strategy (SEMMMS) Issues and Options consultation.

Work has been progressing since this agreement was reached, to translate these priorities into a draft SEMMM Strategy document ready for public consultation prior to its final adoption by both Stockport and Cheshire East Councils.

A public consultation on the draft Strategy commenced on Monday 21st May and is due to run for a 6 week period. Following the consultation, the draft Strategy will be reviewed and revised in light of the feedback received and a final version will be submitted for consideration by the Council later this year.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a draft South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy which set out the priorities for the SEMMMS area up to 2040 and presenting what the delivery of the strategy in its entirety could mean for the SEMMMS area. Whilst the delivery of the package of schemes would be subject to further investigations to evaluate the technical feasibility and commercial viability of individual schemes, the draft Strategy presented the priorities for the SEMMMS area which should be explored further and progressed by both the Council, its partners and wider stakeholders.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• Concern was expressed that the on-line form being used for the consultation did not allow people to comment on the individual proposals.
• Members needed to see more of the background information and analysis of the options, for example with regard to the proposal for a roundabout at the Gatley crossroads junction on the A34. It was confirmed that more detailed modelling would be undertaken on this option and reported to Members.
• Concern was expressed that there had already been a lot of modelling in the past of traffic at the Gatley crossroads junction on the A34 and that the proposals approximately four or five years ago had been rejected by Highways England.
• The severe air quality problems around the Gatley crossroads junction on the A34 were highlighted.
• Concern was expressed that there was an absence of proposals for Heald Green.
•  In response to a question, the Area Committee was advised that the Council was working closely with Cheshire East Council about promoting consultation events on the Councils’ respective websites and social media channels, and via press releases and emails.
• The priority to extend the use of public transport was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

In November 2017, Cabinet reviewed and agreed Stockport’s transport priorities following the outcomes of the South East Manchester Mutli Modal Strategy (SEMMMS) Issues and Options consultation.

Work has been progressing since this agreement was reached, to translate these priorities into a draft SEMMM Strategy document ready for public consultation prior to its final adoption by both Stockport and Cheshire East Councils.

A public consultation on the draft Strategy commenced on Monday 21st May and is due to run for a 6 week period. Following the consultation, the draft Strategy will be reviewed and revised in light of the feedback received and a final version will be submitted for consideration by the Council later this year.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the activities being undertaken as part of the consultation period and comment on the draft Strategy.

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

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Area Committee to comment on the SEMMMS Strategy refresh consultation document.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors welcomed the case for improved train services and stressed the need for better parking options in the vicinity of train stations.

·         If Metrolink expansion were to become a reality – parking provision was a significant factor. Traffic issues were of major concern on Didsbury Road.

·         Reddish North and South stations were identified as excellent opportunities to enhance services.

·         East/West connectivity for bus service provision was highlighted as a concern.

RESOLVED – That the report and comments be noted.

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

In November 2017, Cabinet reviewed and agreed Stockport’s transport priorities following the outcomes of the South East Manchester Mutli Modal Strategy (SEMMMS) Issues and Options consultation.

Work has been progressing since this agreement was reached, to translate these priorities into a draft SEMMM Strategy document ready for public consultation prior to its final adoption by both Stockport and Cheshire East Councils.

A public consultation on the draft Strategy commenced on Monday 21st May and is due to run for a 6 week period. Following the consultation, the draft Strategy will be reviewed and revised in light of the feedback received and a final version will be submitted for consideration by the Council later this year.

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

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a draft South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy which set out the priorities for the SEMMMS area out to 2040 and presenting what delivery of the strategy in its entirety could mean for the SEMMMS area.  While the delivery of the package of schemes will be subject to further investigations to evaluate the technical feasibility and commercial viability of individual schemes, the draft Strategy presented the priorities for the SEMMMS area which should be explored further and progressed by both the Council, its partners, and wider stakeholders.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The use of canal towpaths for cycling and walking should be encouraged.

·         The prominence of the A6 to M60 link road within the Strategy document was welcomed.

·         It was important that the transport infrastructure needed to support additional development in the area was put in place prior to the building of new homes.

·         Existing problems with capacity on the railways had been compounded in Stockport following the May timetable change which had reduced the number of services operating at a number of Stockport railway stations.  This was further exacerbated by the well-publicised issues with the implementation of the timetable that had resulted in a significant number of cancellations.

·         Further work needed to be undertaken to ensure that concessionary passes issued by Transport for Greater Manchester were able to operate the ticket barriers that had been put in place at a number of stations in the Greater Manchester area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.