Agenda and minutes

For decision. 

On the proposal of Councillor Reid and seconded by Councillor Smart, it was RESOLVED that Councillor J Reynolds be elected Chairman of this meeting.

None. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2005 were agreed as a correct record. 

To note the officer’s report and to comment on the consultant’s report.

Introduction to the Study

The Head of Service Transport Policy and Strategy introduced the study ‘Cambridge East Sustainable Transport Strategy Report’, prepared by consultants Steer Davies Gleave.  The study had been commissioned to inform the Area Action Plan for the proposed development in Cambridge East and would be used to respond to queries raised by the Inspector at the South Cambridgeshire Examination of the Cambridge East Area Action Plan, scheduled for summer 2007.  The study set out a number of options which could be considered as a way of achieving a 60/40 split in favour of sustainable modes of transport.  It was emphasised that the study was not a strategy for implementation but merely options which could be considered.  Members would have plenty of opportunity to consider the options.

Consultants’ Presentation

Cambridge East would be a major growth area with between 10,000 and 12,000 new dwellings and 5,000 new jobs.  The construction would take place in 3 phases:

1.                  North of Newmarket Road

2.                  North of Cherry Hinton

3.                  Airport site

The objectives of the study were to maximise potential for sustainable transport and to minimise and mitigate negative traffic impacts.  The core challenge was to achieve a target modal split of:

40% Car

35% Public Transport

25% Walking/Cycling

The study looked at these key journeys from Cambridge East:

1.                  City Centre

2.                  Addenbrooke’s (Southern Fringe)

3.                  Northern Fringe

Journeys to the wider area and the railway station were also considered.

For each destination the consultant set out the options for public transport routes, cycling routes and highway improvements.  The benefits and drawbacks for each option were also set out in the study.

The consultant emphasised that in order to achieve the desired reduction in car travel a ‘Smarter Choice’ element needed inclusion, promoting the sustainable travel options in a variety of ways through, for example, travel plans, marketing and real-time information.  Smarter Choices would be a fundamental part of the package.

Phase 1 was a projected 1,750 houses to be built by 2016 and the 60/40 modal split would not be achieved during this phase of the development: all the phases would need to be completed before the desired 60/40 split would be achieved.

Members’ Comments

Questions were raised concerning members’ involvement with this study:

·                      Confirmation of the timetable for the study: the study would be presented to the Inspector in the summer of 2007 and the Inspector’s verdict was likely to be received at the end of 2007.

·                      Incorporation of members’ comments into the strategy, the influence members would have over the content of the study and who would make the final decision on what would be submitted: the Head of Transport Policy and Strategy assured members that the study was not a strategy and that their comments would be taken into account.  It had been commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council to answer the Inspector’s question whether the 60/40 split was achievable.  This study had not gone to the Cambridgeshire County Council Cabinet and therefore was not the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Following the abolition of the County Council / Cambridge City / South Cambridgeshire Environment and Transport Joint Strategic Forum, the Cambridge East Member Reference Group’s terms of reference have been amended from:

“Role

“5. The Reference Group is not a decision making body, that function will remain with the two local planning authorities; rather its purpose is to provide direction and co-ordinate progress by:

…

“*            Advising the officers of the three local authorities in reporting back to the Joint Strategic Forum and the relevant bodies in Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council…”

to:

“Role

“5. The Reference Group is not a decision making body, that function will remain with the two local planning authorities; rather its purpose is to provide direction and co-ordinate progress by:

…

“*            Advising the officers of the three local authorities in reporting back to the Cambridgeshire Joint Transport and Planning Lead Members meeting and the relevant bodies in Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council…”

The complete terms of reference are available on the South Cambridgeshire District Council website.

Noted.