Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of Services

The Group Director of Services submitted a report (previously circulated)to request that Members give consideration to the adoption of the Darlington Transport Plan, Darlington Town Centre Transport Plan and Parking Strategy following the consultation process.

The submitted report stated that the Tees Valley Strategic Transport Plan (STP) 2020-2030 was developed by Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) in partnership with all Tees Valley local authorities, that the strategy had been published in 2020, and set out the strategic direction for transport in the Tees Valley.  It was noted that the STP is supported by other strategies developed by TVCA including the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and the Tees Valley Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

The submitted report stated that the Darlington Transport Strategy set out how the priorities set out in the STP will be delivered in Darlington, took into consideration local priorities, and set in place a delivery framework to ensure that these priorities were delivered. It was reported that Cabinet approved the Darlington Transport Plan framework on 9 March 2021, as a basis for consulting the public and other stakeholders on our key transport objectives and priorities. 

It was reported that the Darlington Town Centre Transport Plan would support the Town Centre Strategy 2019-2030 and the Towns Fund Investment Plan, and that the Darlington Parking Strategy set out a framework for the provision and control of parking within the Borough in order to meet the aspirations of the Darlington Transport Strategy and the Darlington Town Centre Transport Plan. 

It was noted that the Communities and Local Services Scrutiny Committee had considered all three plans on 25 August 2022, and that the Cabinet had considered all three plans on 8 November 2022. It was also reported that the plans were consulted on and, in terms of responses, there were 34 responses to the Darlington Transport Strategy, 14 responses to the Darlington Parking Strategy and no responses to Darlington Town Centre Transport Plan.  The responses were broadly in support of our approach and no changes were made to the documents as a result of consultation.

RESOLVED - That the Darlington Transport Strategy, Darlington Town Centre Transport Plan, and Darlington Parking Strategy be approved and adopted into the policy framework.

REASONS - (a)To provide a strategic framework to support growth in Darlington through the provision of improved transport infrastructure and promote sustainable transport initiatives.

(b) To support the Town Centre Strategy by improving transport links into, and reducing the impact of traffic travelling through the Town Centre in order to help it be a place where people will want to continue visiting, shopping, working and living in.