Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director - Transport and Capital Projects

The Assistant Director – Transport and Capital Projects submitted a report (previously circulated) providing members an annual update on the delivery of the Darlington Transport Plan which outlined delivery, performance, and public satisfaction in 2023/24 and will outline the 2024/25 programme, including the release of funding.

The submitted report stated that the Tees Valley Region had secured significant funding from the Government, which includes £310m City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) programme and £6.851m Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) which will deliver improvements to the bus services. The report stated that there has been good progress on the development and delivery of the Transport Capital Programme.

It was reported that in 2022/23 there was a new Transport Strategy for the borough; a Town Centre Transport Plan and Parking Strategy which were adopted by the Council where work continues. A progress report on the schemes delivered in 2023/24 and the proposed programme of schemes 2024/25 was detailed in the report.

The submitted report demonstrated the focus of the Department for Transport (DfT) to be decarbonising transport and levelling up. Funding has been made available to the north which will ensure there is a balance between sustainable transport measures and options to support motorists. The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) is still in progress with the completion of Phase 1 of the Faverdale/West Park to town centre cycle route.

Reference was made to the Tees Valley region which has been allocated funding of £978m for the second round of CRSTS which will cover the period of 2027/28 to 2031/32. In addition to the CRSTS2, government have announced an additional minimum £100.1m of highways maintenance for Tees Valley between 2023/24 – 2033/34.

Discussion ensued around Electric Charging Vehicles and the parking spaces for them; Members criticised the amount of electric charging spaces and the lack of disabled electric charging spaces.

Members also discussed the health aspects around the plan and how it will provide Darlington residents with a reduction in air pollution and a cleaner environment. Members also discussed the new recyclable materials which are being used as alternative measures for roads.

Members scrutinised the 20mph limit in residential areas which are yet to occur, which were mentioned in a previous Transport Plan, Members were provided with calm trafficked areas of the town and how Durham Constabulary have reassessed the 20mph limit consideration.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.