PAPER D

Committee:     ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE

Date:               29 JULY 2002 

Title:               LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2001/2002

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To update Members regarding the Local Transport Plan Annual Progress Report for 2001/2002.

BACKGROUND

The Isle of Wight Council has a statutory duty to produce a Local Transport Plan (LTP) covering a 5 year period and to review whether the policies and objectives of the Plan have been met by producing each year an Annual Progress Report (APR). The second APR will be published and sent to the Government Office for the South East on 31 July 2002. It is anticipated that copies of the Report will have been printed in time to be handed to Members at the Environment and Transport Select Committee meeting on 29 July 2002.

Sustainable transport results are particularly good with a large increase in cycle use, surveys showing increases of over 50% compared to the previous year. Rail usage has also increased by 3.5% and train punctuality and reliability have improved. The number of bus passengers has fallen by 2.7% and did not meet the target, although this is likely to have been caused by the affect on tourism of the “foot and mouth” outbreak.

Regarding road safety, the number of children under 15 killed or seriously injured fell in line with predictions, but overall the number of people injured or killed rose.

With £1.54 million spent on road resurfacing, targets have been met in improving the condition of Island roads.

The APR details progress of the A3055 Military Road carriageway stabilisation and A3055 Undercliff Drive diversion along with the consultation on Newport Pedestrianisation.

Importantly, included within this year’s APR is a Major Scheme Bid for the Ryde Interchange. The case is made that if the scheme were to be funded from the normal capital allocation such a level of spend would greatly reduce the Council’s ability to reach the targets identified in the LTP.

Notification of whether this bid is successful would normally be given in December 2002.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Local Transport Plan 2001-2006

Annual Progress Report 2002

Contact:          Mr Malcolm Smith ☎823777

M J A FISHER

Strategic Director

Corporate and Environment Services