Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Environment, Highways and Community Services.

The Cabinet Member with Local Services Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of Environment, Highways and Community Services providing Members with an annual update on delivery of the Darlington Transport Plan, outlining delivery, performance and public satisfaction in 2024/25 and seeking approval for the 2025/26 programme, including the release of funding.

The submitted report stated that in 2022/23 a new Transport Strategy for the Borough, a Town Centre Transport Plan and Parking Strategy were adopted and that work was continuing to implement the associated action plans; outlined the progress on the schemes delivered in 2024/25; the proposed programme of schemes for 2025/26; and stated that there had been good progress on the development and delivery of the transport capital programme including working in partnership with the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) to deliver elements of the strategic transport plan.

It was reported that the Tees Valley had been allocated £4.873m of additional highways maintenance funding; secured significant funding from Government, including the £310m City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) programme and £6.851m Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP); and had notionally been allocated funding of £978m for the second round of the CRSTS which covered the period 2027/28 to 2031/32.

References was made to the government guidance on Local Transport Plans that had been delayed, however, it was anticipated to have a focus on decarbonisation; financial and legal implications of the proposals; and the outcome of the consultation undertaken.

Particular reference was made at the meeting to the need to prioritise those roads that were most in need; introduction of 20 mile per hour zones and the impact on road safety; decarbonisation; and inequalities in active travel.

RESOLVED –  (a)  That the progress in delivery of the Darlington Transport Plan, as detailed in the submitted report, be noted, and funding of £3,067,984 as outlined in Appendix C of the submitted report, be released, todeliver the 2025/26proposed projects identified in Appendix A.

(b)  That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director of Environment, Highways and Community Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Local Services, to agree and release funding for a programme of additional highway maintenance schemes funded from the new allocation of highway maintenance funding that has yet to be confirmed.

(c)  That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director of Environment, Highways and Community Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Local Services, to explore opportunities to reprofile highway maintenance funding from future years to make most efficient use of resources and vary the delivery programme in year if required.

(d)  That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director of Environment, Highways and Community Services in consultation with the PortfolioHolder, to agree bidding if required on external funding opportunities, and release funding from successful bids or Government grants, including:-

                             (i)      theBus ServiceImprovement Plan (BSIP);

                           (ii)      schemesas detailedin theCity RegionSustainable TransportSettlement (CRSTS) Delivery Plan;

                         (iii)      ActiveTravel Fund(ATF) –active travelcapital;

                         (iv)      Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding;

                           (v)      Traffic Signal Obsolescence Grant (TSOG); and

                         (vi)      any other relevant funding which is made available in 25/26.

(e)  That theperformance datarelating totransport services, as detailedin Appendix D of the submitted report, be noted.

REASONS – (a) Tocontinue to deliverDarlington’s Transport Strategy as set out in the Darlington Transport Plan, Town Centre Transport Planand Parking Strategy 2022/30, which support the Tees ValleyStrategic Transport Plan 2016/30 (STP).

(b) Tomaximise the opportunities tomaintain highwaysassets for thebenefit ofall road users.

(c)  To assistTVCA in thedelivery of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, and Bus Service Improvement Plan programmes and associated action plans,in line with Government guidance.