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Local Transport Plan Financial Settlement
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
REPORT TO CABINET
14 FEBRUARY 2007
SOUTH YORKSHIRE LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN:
DETAILS OF THE RECENT FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT
1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 This report reviews the recent “Settlement Letter” from the Department for Transport (Dft) concerning the Local Transport Plan (LTP) for South Yorkshire, and sets out proposed priorities for Transport Capital Programme resources available to the City Council in 2007/08.
1.2 The report is to be read in conjunction with the main report of the Director of Finance on the City Council’s Capital Programme elsewhere on this Agenda.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 In December 2006, Government announced its financial Settlement for the 2007/08 joint South Yorkshire LTP (and its associated Capital Programme). This is the first settlement since local authorities reviewed the delivery of their first five year plans (LTP 1) and produced final versions of the second five year plan (LTP 2).
2.2 A separate report on the Agenda from the Director of Finance sets out the City Council’s Capital Programme and the choices for Members in utilising the Single Capital Programme. This report specifically covers the Transport and Highways element which although not explicitly ring fenced, is allocated by Government on the basis that the resources will be spent on the Transport and Highways priorities set out in the Local Transport Plan.
3.0 THE SETTLEMENT
3.1 The South Yorkshire LTP2 has been classified as “fair” by the Department for Transport (DfT). This is in line with last year’s “promising” assessment of the draft plan. The South Yorkshire Delivery report demonstrated a satisfactory standard of overall delivery with generally a positive impact on local transport in South Yorkshire. However, the DfT considered that there were few areas of strong delivery and therefore plenty of room for improvement. The DfT have specifically highlighted the success of the Inner Relief Road scheme in Sheffield and its aims to facilitate regeneration, removing through traffic from City Centre streets and delivering journey time benefits.
3.2 The Government has noted that the South Yorkshire LTP continues to be delivered against a background of economic recovery. The objective 1 Programme has seen an increase in prosperity, leading to an increase in the demand for transport as a result of economic progress. Car ownership has subsequently increased and perhaps contributed to the decline in bus patronage (however increases in bus fares and changes in frequencies/routes have also added to this decline). The DfT have recognised notable improvements in bus infrastructure with the programme of QBCs and interchanges in South Yorkshire.
3.3 Despite good progress in reducing the numbers of children killed or seriously injured, the overall county-wide performance on reducing road casualties has been assessed as “mixed”. However, the progress on refocussing efforts on casualty reduction in South Yorkshire is recognised with the authorities considered to be better placed to make progress in LTP 2.
3.4 The main finance points of the Settlement are as follows:-
· Sheffield’s share of the “Integrated Transport” allocation for minor schemes is £5.757m, a small increase in the current year’s figure of £5.725m.
· Objective 1 related schemes: In previous years the South Yorkshire LTP submission included a further separate bid for “supplementary funds” for specific Objective 1 related projects. For 2006/07, £3.147m was allocated across South Yorkshire, of which £1.5m was earmarked for continued progress on the Sheffield City Centre Transport Programme. For 2007/08, Government has allocated slightly more - £3.226m to South Yorkshire. This is continued good news on supporting improvements in Sheffield City Centre, particularly as the Department for Transport has confirmed that supplementary funding will continue until 2011. We will now need to agree with our South Yorkshire partners about continuing the level of funding in Sheffield.
· The Highway Capital maintenance allocation is £5.599m (an increase from the 2006/07 total of £5.16m) and is in line with the national formula for road condition. It is proposed to use £1.5m of this to complete the Sheffield Parkway maintenance scheme. This will reduce available funding on the remainder of Principal Roads maintenance programme and have the effect of postponing works of an equivalent value into future years. In addition to the main allocation, further funding is being provided for major maintenance and strengthening works on the A630 Sheffield Parkway / Handsworth Road Bridge (£1m) and the A61 Lady’s Bridge (£350,000).
3.5 Safety Camera Funding
The Government has changed the funding arrangements for safety camera work. From 2007/08, safety camera funding is to be integrated into the LTP system. The allocation of capital and revenue funding amongst the four South Yorkshire Highway Authorities is based on the DfT’s road safety needs formula and qualitative assessments of the road safety elements of our First LTP Delivery Report and Second LTP submission. The DfT has advised LTP authorities of the Safety Camera funding allocations by way of a separate grant determination letter. The following table details the funding allocations made to South Yorkshire.
South Yorkshire Safety Camera Funding | 2007/08 Confirmed | 2008/09 Confirmed | 2009/10 Indicative | 2010/11 Indicative |
Capital | £444,998 | £425.708 | £423.047 | £407,001 |
Revenue | £2,000,042 | £1,913,346 | £1,901,385 | £1,829,265 |
Totals | £2,445,040 | £2,339,054 | £2,324,432 | £2,236,266 |
Previously advised totals | £2,533,823 | £2,421,655 | £2,324,433 | £2,236,266 |
All the funding will be allocated directly to the City Council to pass back to partners (including the Police, Highways Agency and Courts Service to cover the cost of the camera operations incurred by them.
4.0 TRANSPORT PROGRAMME PRIORITIES
4.1 In line with LTP2 objectives, Sheffield’s Transport Capital Programme for this year comprises the following “block allocations” agreed by Cabinet on 22 February 2006:
· Road Safety Schemes to reduce road accidents including Accident Saving Schemes, Child Safety Zones and Danger Reduction schemes.
· School Related Safety measures -work to improve the safety of routes to schools and at school entrances, together with new measures arising from adopted school travel plans.
· Accessibility Schemes, including new schemes for pedestrians and cyclists together with links to strategies and programmes for Housing Market Renewal projects.
· Congestion/Bus Priority schemes for tackling local congestion points and to support the South Yorkshire “Key Routes” network as described in the LTP. It also includes Public Transport priority schemes.
· Air Quality, for traffic related air quality monitoring for the LTP.
· Other miscellaneous small schemes and contributions including the development, management and monitoring of the South Yorkshire LTP process and capital programme (including contributions to the central SY team and other jointly funded initiatives
5.0 PROPOSED PROGRAMME FOR 2007/08
5.1 The key priorities for LTP2 agreed by South Yorkshire Members in November 2005 were summarised as:
· set realistic targets;
· focus on improving conditions for public transport (particularly bus), accepting that not all the levers are in our control;
· begin by addressing a “Key Network” of main routes to and between the main urban centres;
· give high priority to improving road safety, focussing on key accident black-sites, Child Safety Zones and around schools;
· exploit potential additional regeneration resources (eg HMR, Objective 1).
5.2 It is considered that the key priorities set out above remain appropriate for 2007/08, in the light of existing commitments and emerging issues a programme of improvements based on the existing activity blocks should be implemented, as set out below:
5.3 The block allocations proposed for the forthcoming financial year (the second year of LTP2), focussed around the four Shared Priorities and the targets associated with them, are as follows:
· Road Safety Work (£1.35m). A continuation of the high priority given to reducing road accidents including Accident Saving Schemes (£800k), Child Safety Zones (£500k) and Danger Reduction schemes (£50k).
· School Related Safety work (£0.650m) Work on improving the safety of routes to schools and at school entrances, together with £350k for an increased programme of new measures arising from adopted School Travel Plans.
· Accessibility Schemes (£0.810m). This includes new schemes for pedestrians, people with disabilities and cyclists together with links to strategies and programmes for Housing Market Renewal (HMR) projects. It includes the following:
o £225k for a programme of cycling projects;
o £200k for new & improved pedestrian crossing facilities;
o £50k for providing footways where none exist at present and improving rights of way (particularly for people with disabilities);
o £80k for a new programme of improvements to pedestrian routes in the Southey/Owlerton area, supporting the HMR Local Acess Strategy in that area;
o £10k for a contribution to a countywide “Wheels to Work” initiative, assisting under-18s to access employment opportunities
o £20k for improved facilities for taxis and their passengers;
o £50k for community transport contributions.
o £175k for a programme of local small schemes (including £120k for Area Panel projects; £25k for commencing work on the Public Rights Of Way Improvement Plan; and £30k for verge treatment schemes).
· Congestion/Bus Priority schemes (£1.840m), to cover the following:
It is now a requirement of DfT to produce a South Yorkshire Congestion Delivery Plan, again focussed on keeping traffic moving on the network of Key Routes. This is now under development and will be reported to Cabinet and the South Yorkshire Planning & Transport Steering Group in the near future. Based on existing priorities the following schemes are proposed for next year.
o Bus Priority schemes (£0.875m).
· £25k for financial completion of the North Sheffield Better Buses project;
· £500k for substantial completion of the Sheaf Valley QBC;
· £350k for tackling individual bus congestion “hotspots” as part of the Bus Punctuality Improvement plan
o Congestion schemes (£0.965m). The following measures in line with LTP2 objectives for tackling congestion on Key Routes:
· £50k for continued strategic congestion modelling;
· £120k for continued management and enforcement of traffic regulations, notably extending urban clearway times on Chesterfield Road and Manchester Road as part of an approved rolling programme.
· £300k for an expanded programme of Traffic Watch improvements, funding a review/ update of traffic signal timing plans and developing a programme of congestion hotspot treatment schemes on the major roads in the City. This includes modifications to Park Square to allow for the impending opening on the Inner Relief Road
· Camera enforcement of bus lanes and gates (self financing).
· £20k for completion of physical modifications to Hillsborough bus/tram Gate commenced in 2006/07.
· £50k for contributing to and enhancing Workplace Travel Plans.
· £400k for the ongoing programme of Residents’ and Controlled Parking schemes around the City Centre and within Hillsborough
· £25k contribution to the implementation of the new Car Club
· Air Quality (£55k)
o £55k for continued traffic related air quality monitoring for the LTP.
· Other miscellaneous small schemes and contributions (£1.052m), including the following:
o £590k contribution to the development and management of the South Yorkshire LTP process and capital programme (including contributions to the central SY team and other jointly funded initiatives)
o £350k contribution to the Inner Relief Road funding shortfall
o £62k contributions to various other initiatives
o £50k for overall LT monitoring work
5.4 As noted above, the allocations allow for a contribution of £350k towards the current Inner Relief Road funding position, as agreed with the Head of Resources. Should this not be required in 2007/08, the additional resources will be put back into the following blocks:
· £50k for total completion of bus stop refurbishments in the Sheaf Valley QBC;
· £50k for additional treatment of congestion hotspots;
· £50k for additional treatment of bus congestion hotspots;
· £50k for additional Controlled Parking schemes;
· £50k for the Public Rights of Way improvement plan;
· £100k for additional measures arising from adopted School Travel Plans.
5.5 Structural Maintenance Schemes
The resources available for maintenance (£5.599m plus an additional £1.35m for specified bridges) will enable the following programmes to proceed:
· £1.95m for repairs and strengthening of bridges and highway structures;
· £2.5m for Principals Roads maintenance schemes which includes a contribution of £1.5m to complete the Sheffield Parkway scheme;
· £2.499m for Non-Principal Roads maintenance schemes.
6.0 EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
6.1 This report deals with financial allocations. There are therefore no
equal opportunities implications arising directly from the content of this
report. The Local Transport Plan itself sets out the way in which the
Programme and schemes within it promote equal opportunities for all.
7.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS; PROPERTY IMPLICATIONS
7.1 There are no particular property implications arising directly from the content of this report. A key feature of the Local Transport Plan schemes is to enhance the environment of the City, particularly to improve air quality.
8.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
8.1 Funding in the form of Supported Capital Expenditure (Revenue) (SCE (R)) for the 2006/7 Local Transport Programme has been approved and provided by DfT (via the LTP Settlement Letter). A CPA form for this is attached to this report.
9.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
Members are recommended to:
9.1 Note the results of the recent financial “settlement” concerning the South Yorkshire LTP, particularly the potential impact upon the completion of the Objective 1 related programme;
9.2 Endorse the Programme of Integrated Transport Block and Maintenance Allocations now proposed for 2007/08;
9.3 Note the preparation of further reports to Cabinet concerning the
production of a South Yorkshire Congestion Delivery Plan, and the impact of new LTP2 objectives upon the Council’s existing priority assessment mechanism for new requests for transport schemes.
9.4 Approve the CPA form in respect of the Local Transport
Programme for 2007/08.
David Curtis
Director of Development Services
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