Thursday, 13 December 2001
10% increase in transport capital works
** 10% extra for Notttingham.
The Labour Gov't has announced its capital awards to Nott'm City Council for Transport next year.
The sums are based on the basis of our Local Transport Plan (which the Gov't describes as “ambitious and of a high standard”) and the first Annual Progress Report of the plan (about which the Gov't says “There is good use of examples showing where resources are being used and the commentary on progress is very informative.”).
The capital sums awarded are made up of four elements.
For the supporting works to NET Line 1, we receive the final payment of three annual payments of £0.800 million.
For the development of the Workplace Parking Levy, we receive £1.950 million, an increase of £0.450 million (30%). This means for example that the City can comfortably afford to continue its contribution towards the design of NET lines 2, 3 & 4.
For Integrated Transport Measures, we receive £6.566 million, an increase of £0.617 million (10%). This means for example that the City can build a new transport interchange at Bulwell.
For the restoration of the road network and the bridge strengthening programme, we were awarded £4.302 million; this figure was announced last year; this represents an increase of £297k (7.5%) on this year. Likely works include the restoration and re-design of significant parts of Carlton Road and Ilkeston Road.
Cllr. Michael Cowan (Con.) said (at the EPT Board) that the sums for road restoration were disappointing cos the City needs £15m a year. We'll produce our first report on what is needed in February and adjust our bids in July accordingly. However, the last two settlements set by the Conservative Gov't for road restoration and bridge strengthening were £0.753 million & £0.514 million.
The overall increase if £1.164m; an increase of 9%.
Full details of what the money could enable is in the APR (Annual Perforamnce Review), which is available via the City Council web-site.
The EPT Board also passed the first concept report proposing guided bus and bus lanes to create a high quality bus route along the Ring Road (for taking out to consultation to the public). We weren't aiming to receive approval for this scheme, this year.
The introduction of more bus priority, walking and cycling measures in the city centre has required more detail on projected traffic flows than was originally envisaged and this will be presented at the end of January. The Gov't said yesterday that they were will to make a decision on this £15.5million scheme ahead of next year's announcement.
The quality of the transport work has also contributed to the City receiving a larger discretionary element of the new Single Capital Pot.
Fuller details follow.
- - - -
The Government has recognised the quality of our plans and performance in awarding us very welcome increases in overall capital approvals for next year. We are particularly pleased with the transport elements of the Settlement for 2002/03.
We received £13.6m overall, an increase of almost 10% on last year and nine times that received four years ago. This reflects the excellent progress reported in implementing our pioneering Local Transport Plan strategy in 2000/01, recognised by the Government as “ambitious and of a high standard”:
- An overall 3% increase in people using buses, one of the highest increases in Britain last year (compared with the Government's target of 1% p.a.)
- A halt to traffic growth across Greater Nottingham with further reductions in the City Centre
- Economic performance well in advance of the national average
This shows that an already vibrant and thriving City can be managed to grow in a sustainable and inclusive way. This growth is guided by the quality of our integrated planning and transport strategies as recognised by the Government with awards of status as a Centre of Excellence for Integrated Transport Planning and as a Beacon Authority for Town Centre Regeneration.
Across Greater Nottingham, the total joint Package of £23.5m is the biggest in the region, almost twice that for the Leicester conurbation (£13.5m) and three times that for Derby (£8.3m).
The budget will enable us to continue our work on providing effective and good quality transport choices for everyone. We will build on the ongoing construction of Nottingham Express Transit Line 1 and advance plans for future lines; continue implementation of our comprehensive Bus Quality Partnerships and work to develop and integrate rail, park and ride, cycling and walking networks.
We will continue to make our streets safer by exploring innovative speed reduction schemes; another key aim is to reduce traffic dominance and improve air quality by extending the City Centre Clear Zone and giving more priority to pedestrians.
Developing interchanges, improving information and better integration of our public transport systems will encourage wider and more convenient use. We look forward to continue to develop our two major schemes for £30m investment in the improving public transport and pedestrian provision in the City Centre and around the Ring Road with the Government.
We recognise that in order to build on this momentum and to meet the challenges of anticipated growth of the City we need to unlock revenue resources to support our extensive network expansion plans for more frequent and reliable bus, train and tram services. Our plans for a Workplace Parking Levy is a responsible and appropriate measure which will provide the funding streams to support these services which will benefit City (and non City) residents, commuters, shoppers, schoolchildren and businesses alike.
In this respect we are particularly pleased to receive a supplementary award from the Government of £1.95m to develop our Levy proposals, an increase of 30% over the award last year.
We are committed to work in partnership with residents, businesses, voluntary groups and others to look carefully at all our transport plans including possible alternatives to ensure that Nottingham is well placed to play its role at the heart of the region.
This Settlement is a recognition of our progress and a key step to a better Nottingham for everyone and look to other Parties to commit to match these resources.
- - -
1. What further developments shall we see in the city centre in the
next year and can you highlight some of the progress made in the last year?
Already this year an almost unprecedented amount of work has been carried out in the City Centre. £3m investment in transport infrastructure on City Centre streets has been implemented or is planned for completion before April, including:
- Ongoing NET development including utility diversions and extensive feasibility / consultations on future lines
- Completion of the Southern Relief Route providing a new east west route to the south of the City Centre enhancing access to the station
- Phase 1 of the Clear Zone introduced
- Replacement of Mount Street subway with pedestrian crossings and upgrading of Angel Row
- Comprehensive revamp of bus routes including new City Centre Loop and priority for buses leaving the Old Market Square
- Comprehensive lighting and information upgrade at bus stops
- Passenger information upgrade at Nottingham Station and commencement of station Masterplan
The next challenge is to maintain this impetus. The programme of works for the City Centre we are developing for approval is likely to include:
- Completion of NET Line 1 tracklaying and infilling of Theatre Square subway
- Next phases of Clear Zone to reduce traffic dominance in the central core
- Extending the bus stop, paving and pedestrian upgrade in the Clear Zone and along the tram route, for example at Friar Lane, Beast Market Hill and Market Street
Improvements in the Hockley area to build on the new traffic arrangements
- Bus stop improvements at key interchange points
- Planning for the replacement of remaining subways at Maid Marian Way with pedestrian crossings
---
2. What is the timescale for the delivery of a Bulwell interchange and
how might it change the nature of the town centre?
We are aiming to submit a planning application this summer with a view to opening the interchange as soon as possible after the commencement of operation of NET Line 1 in November 2003 which will see new feeder bus services introduced. Work on preparing the detailed proposals is already underway which will involve full public consultation and environmental assessment.
The interchange will provide top quality facilities for bus, train and tram passengers, encouraging sustainable transport choices and reducing car use. The facility will be designed to maintain the special character of this part of Bulwell with emphasis on respecting its environmental qualities.
The scheme will allow redevelopment of the existing bus station to regenerate the southern end of Bulwell. Replacement on street bus stops will be planned to complement the interchange and serve this part of the town centre.
Comments