Agenda and minutes

Venue: 2:00 pm on Wednesday 21 October 2020 as a remote meeting

Items
No. Item

11.

Open Forum

Open session for members of the public to ask a question, raise a concern or provide feedback.

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed to the Open Forum representatives from Slaithwaite & Marsden Action For Rail Transport (SMART) who attended to seek assurances that connectivity would be maintained during TRU work and that station accessibility works were within scope.

 

The representatives from TransPennine Express and Northern responded to say that they had asked the same question to Network Rail and are still waiting for final sign off from the Secretary of State.

 

Jean Margetts highlighted ventilation on buses and trains and Operators said they were looking at messaging the importance of ventilation, with drivers actively involved especially in the cold winter months.

 

No other questions or concerns had been raised from members of the public prior to the meeting.

 

12.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

13.

Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Transport Committee members only.

Minutes:

14.

Exempt Information - Possible exclusion of the press and public

Minutes:

15.

Minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2019 pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Minutes:

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2020 be approved.

 

16.

Minutes of the joint DCSC meeting held on 17 July 2020 pdf icon PDF 99 KB

Minutes:

Subject to Councillor Kaushik being added to the attendance list it was agreed to note the minutes.

 

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2020 be noted..

 

 

17.

Chair's Update

Minutes:

The Chair reported that the Information Report had taken into consideration information specific to Kirklees which had been discussed at the last meeting DCSC held on 23 October 2019.

 

It was noted that the West Yorkshire Combined Authority had been awarded a single payment of £1,086 million revenue funding to support bus services in the region. The pandemic had delayed a number of initiatives intended to utilise this fund but three had been completed.

 

·       A Keighley to Halifax via Denholm service.

·       New links between east Leeds and five local towns.

·       A Barnsley/Doncaster to southeast Wakefield service.

 

The rest of this fund had been put in a contingency plan pot with the agreement of the Department of Transport.

18.

Information Report pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee noted a report which provided an update on matters relating to the Kirklees district.

 

The information report included an update on The Huddersfield Better Connected Stations project, being delivered by Kirklees Council through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s CityConnect programme improving the route between Huddersfield Bus Station and Rail Station, for people to travel by foot, as well as better access around bus stops on Westgate. Work has started on a £1.88 million scheme to make it easier for people to cross Huddersfield town centre by foot, or by bike, which will provide a further boost for West Yorkshire’s growing walking and cycling network.

 

Members felt that more information on live projects, TCF and Transport Fund should be included in the Kirklees update report and Councillor Bolt gave the Cooper Bridge project as an example.

 

Cllr Bolt also raised concerns about student ticket prices - no discounted day ticket offer for students who attend lectures periodically. This led to a suggestion for cheaper Kirklees only bus only MCard products.

 

Members Discussed the age of buses in Kirklees and how there is a need to "level up" the bus age profile over the region. Cllr Homewood was keen for another phase of retrofit.

 

There were concerns about the closure of Dewsbury Travel Centre resulting in travel to Leeds or Huddersfield for Travel passes.  It was explained that there is no advantage in going to the Travel Centre and passengers were being encouraged to apply on line, or have someone to do it for them

 

Resolved:  That the information report and Sub-Committee’s comments be noted.

 

19.

Operator Updates

Minutes:

The meeting was attended by representatives from the rail and bus operators who provided the Sub-Committee with updates.

 

Northern

 

Northern advised that many changes had been made to services in a short period of time, with six timetables introduced since the start of the pandemic as services were gradually reinstated. They had also introduced a new flexible season ticket which would allow people only working for part of the week to take the advantage of a season ticket discount.  This was in operation throughout West Yorkshire and proving popular.

 

It was noted that during the summer months there had been an upsurge on leisure services to tourist and retail areas, but this had now dropped following the re-opening of schools and colleges in September.  Northern thanked the Combined Authority for their help in providing standby buses during the first week of the reopening of schools.

 

It was reported that compliance with mask guidance had been improving, with well over 90% compliance, particularly since masks had become compulsory in retail premises.

 

In respect of local lockdowns, Northern advised that they were liaising closely with local authorities to ensure that their communications and messaging were in harmony.

 

TransPennine

 

TransPennine informed the Sub-committee they were maintaining a high level of performance and increasing services. There was a low level of customer demand although higher than at the beginning of the pandemic. As with Northern It was noted that during the summer months there had been an upsurge on leisure services to tourist and retail areas, but this had now dropped following the re-opening of schools and colleges in September

 

ASLEF Train Drivers Union had re-instated driver training which is an important step as drivers have to be reassessed.

 

Funding has been secured with Kirklees and West Yorkshire Combined Authority from Transform Cities Fund to enable work to commence on the toilets at Dewsbury Station which should be completed late winter/early spring.

 

Arriva

 

Arriva informed the sub-committee it had been a busy two months with many timetable changes, extra journeys and capacity restrictions across Kirklees. Arriva have been working with the Combined Authority to enable bespoke services to ensure students are able to get to schools.

 

The Sub-Committee was advised that as part of the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance, Arriva was currently in the process of retrofitting exhausts to a Euro 6 emissions standard, and that this programme had been made possible by the Combined Authority’s successful bid to the Clean Bus Technology fund,

 

The 229 Huddersfield to Leeds Buses now have premium software standards so are equipped with access to USB charges and display screens.

 

The Sub-Committee was informed of the sad news that Phil Carlton, known as Mr Bus, had passed away following a road traffic accident.  The last bus driven by Phil, number 1933, has now been renamed to remember Phil and the bus has a name plate Phil (Mr Bus) Carlton.

 

First

 

First Group informed the Sub-Committee of the measures they had implemented to prevent the spread of Covid-19  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Workshop - Carbon Reduction Pathways pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee was invited to participate in a workshop on carbon reduction pathways which was one of the significant areas of activity being undertaken by the Combined Authority to tackle the Climate Emergency and provide feedback. 

 

It was reported that a study to identify potential carbon emission reduction pathways and the interventions that need to be implemented if the net zero carbon 2038 target is to be achieved had been undertaken.

 

It was noted that the current situation relating to COVID 19 had had a significant impact on plans to engage and consult with stakeholders on the findings of this work.  However. the planned work and emerging results was now being tested with partners and stakeholders and the Sub-Committee was given the opportunity to contribute to the findings of the pathways work.

 

The presentation led to a discussion on Active Travel and Cllr Bolt said that canal towpaths are not adequate cycle infrastructure.

 

There was also an observation that we shouldn't waste time in the beginning looking for the big solutions (eg hydrogen) and we should focus on behavioural change. 

 

Resolved:  That the presentation and the Sub-Committee’s feedback be noted.