Agenda item

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Environment and Economy on Halton’s Third Local Transport Plan (LTP3).

            The Board were advised that Local Transport Plans (LTPs) were initially introduced by the Transport Act 2000, which set a statutory requirement for local transport authorities to produce a LTP every five years and to keep it under review. The Local Transport Act 2008 retained the statutory requirement to produce and review LTPs and supporting policies but changed aspects of the statutory framework, including giving local authorities the flexibility to review and update the LTP as it considered appropriate.

            The Board were reminded that, as a Unitary Authority, Halton Borough Council was the transport authority for the area of Halton and as such was required to produce a LTP. The current LTP (LTP2) ran until March 2011, with the third LTP (LTP3) due to commence in April 2011.

As required by the 2008 Act, LTP3 was in two parts; the first set out a long term strategy to 2026 and the second consisted of a short term implementation plan, setting out in detail how the strategy would be delivered.  Separating strategy and implementation allowed the two parts of the LTP to be renewed (when necessary) on different timescales. 

Although Halton had produced an individual LTP3, it had been recognised that working in partnership with the Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority (Merseytravel) or ITA, which was statutorily obliged to produce the LTP on behalf of itself and the Merseyside Districts, would be beneficial for the sub-region.  As a result, Halton and Merseyside synchronised the preparation of their evidence bases and there was impetus of a similar long term vision and strategy across the sub-region.  However, it should be acknowledged that Halton’s rolling implementation plan was separate from Merseyside’s, based on Halton specific characteristics.

Although the LTP would be submitted to the Government by the end of March 2011, the Department for Transport (DfT) would no longer formally assess the Plan, impose mandatory targets or require submission of formal monitoring reports.  However, the DfT would continue to take account of the overall quality of a LTP, especially where this was relevant to its decisions, for example in relation to funding.

Reason(s) For Decision

LTP3 was the key policy document for transport in Halton.

Alternative Options Considered And Rejected

The strategy element of LTP3 was aligned with national, regional and local policies. In section 11 of the LTP various proposals had been described that could be delivered during the 15 year life of the strategy. These had been prioritised for delivery in the Implementation Plan taking into account affordability, timescale for delivery, value for money and effectiveness of achieving the LTP3 goals.

Implementation Date

LTP3 would be effective from 1^st April 2011.

The Board wished to place on record their thanks to Dick Tregea, Strategic Director, Environment and Economy for his work on this and other projects and wished him well for the future.

RESOLVED : That

1)     final approval be given to the draft Third Local Transport Plan

     (LTP 3) for Halton, incorporating a long term strategy for transport   and a shorter term Implementation Plan; and

2)     further editorial and technical amendments that do not materially affect the LTP3 be agreed by the Operational Director – Highways, Transportation and Logistics in consultation with the Executive Board Member for Transportation, as necessary, before the document is published.