Agenda item

Consideration was given to report of the Head of Regeneration.

The Head of Regeneration presented this initial report which sought Members views on the content and scope of the proposed transport strategy for Blaenau Gwent.  The officer explained that further projects in relation of Metro Plus was on the cusp of being developed and the regional transport work with neighbouring authorities would shortly be drawing to a conclusion.  Therefore, it was now the opportune time to develop a local strategy for the next 5 years.

The Head of Regeneration, thereupon, spoke in detail to the following paragraphs in the report which outlined:

Paragraph 2.2 – the scope of the strategy and the elements which should be included.

Paragraph 2.3 – the main strategic recommendations that needed to be considered around developing a long term vision for the strategy that commits to long-term planning.

Paragraph 2.4 – operational improvements and new opportunities that could be explored and utilised.

It was noted that relevant stakeholders would also be consulted as part of the process.  The Head of Regeneration emphasised that the strategy would not only relate to connectivity for trains but would also include buses, taxis and community transport – i.e. various vehicular movements and the areas/services that required improved access e.g. links were needed to the Rassau and Tafarnaubach Industrial Estates, G.P. surgeries.  Discussions would also have to take place with third party organisations e.g. GAVO in order to plug any gaps in the network.

The Head of Regeneration concluded by requesting that discussions primarily focus around paragraph 2.2 i.e. the scope of the strategy and elements that should be included.

Members, thereupon, commented as follows:

ØThe importance of links to transport people to work.

ØTransport links were required to care homes as a matter of urgency as people living in these care settings felt isolated specific mention was made to Red Rose Nursing Home where the nearest bus service was located outside the hospital.

ØThe provision of bus routes should be a priority.

The Head of Regeneration advised that on occasions commercial bus routes were not available, therefore, alternative forms of transport and options needed to be investigated, for example GAVO ‘book a bus’ for specialist journeys that not were not necessarily commercially viable.  There were a number of digital sites available that provided information on the different forms of transport that were available but this needed to made easier for people to use.

Ø A Member expressed his concern regarding the digital aspect of booking a service and said that some older people did not have access to and use IT facilities.

Another Member suggested that enquiries be made with local bus companies to ask whether they could change their routes to include care homes as there should be direct bus routes provided to these facilities.

The Head of Regeneration undertook to pursue this matter with the Transport Section.

Ø A proactive approach should be taken to obtain data from subsidised transport companies.

Ø As young people undertaking apprenticeships had difficulty accessing job placements, particularly due to access and cost whether there was a system available whereby older persons could voluntarily give up their bus pass to a young person undertaking an apprenticeship in order to provide an opportunity for them to access their placement.

The Head of Regeneration said that she hoped that this initiative could be encouraged.  Rassau and Tafarnaubach Industrial Estates were classed as ‘Business Improvement Districts’ and all these initiatives would be examined for people and young people to access work easier including ‘book a bus’ for people who worked shifts. 

ØA Member expressed his concern that the lack of public transport was affecting recruitment (especially of young people) for businesses located within the Heads of the Valleys corridor.

He continued by referring to the report contained in the Information Pack ‘Cardiff City Regional Transport Authority’ and the work being undertaken as part of these arrangements and said that as this related to the Transport Strategy a precise of this report should have been provided to Members.

He expressed his concern that the information report was portraying that the main project was the Abertillery spur for the railway. However, a comprehensive plan should be provided for the whole of the County Borough which should include the provision of a light railway from Llanhilleth to Brynmawr, connectivity within the County Borough from east to west and west to east.  Also connectivity to and from Abergavenny to Hirwaen and transportation to and from the industrial estates. The Member concluded by suggesting that a Task and Finish Group be established to undertake a piece of work in respect of the transport provision as there numerous ideas that could be captured together with the local knowledge of Members.

The Chair advised that a meeting of the Town Centre Task and Finish Group was due to commence imminently and the issue of transport could be included as part of that   agenda.  However, subsequently if it was felt that there was a need for an individual Task and Finish Group in relation to transport this would be reported to the next Committee meeting.

The Head of Regeneration advised the report contained in the information pack was a precise of the Regional Transport Authority meetings that had taken place.

ØA Member said that in preparing the Local Transport Strategy in addition to the requirements of the County Borough, officers should also take into account the work and projects that other local authorities were pursuing.

ØThe Ebbw Valley Railway was re-opened in 2008 and at that time it was intended that there be an Abertillery to Newport line.  However, as time had now moved on a Member wondered whether this would now do the town more harm than good.  He enquired whether officers had looked at the consequences if an Abertillery spur was provided?

The Head of Regeneration advised that a report would be produced by experts who would assess elements such as the socio economic and environmental aspects of the scheme. 

With regard to Abertillery there was a need to make the town a vibrant place where people wanted to live and encourage people to make use of lower rents outside of Cardiff and also to attract businesses.

ØA Member suggested that further work should be undertaken to promote the area and suggested that tourism officers could provide leaflets at Cardiff Central Station in order to promote the benefits of Blaenau Gwent.  It was also suggested that a tourist information point be provided at the highest point on the Heads of the Valleys and information be provided at Bryn Bach Park as this was located close to the Heads of the Valleys.

ØAnother Member said that the reintroduction of the railway line had been a great success and had exceeded all expectations.  However, he expressed his concern regarding the cost implications of providing an extra mile of railway track to Abertillery and hoped that this would not be detrimental to the overall strategy – there was, therefore, a need to look at the bigger picture.

He continued by referring to the regeneration of Tredegar Town Centre and that its profile had been raised by a Ministerial visit that had been held that day to the town and in particular to the TA Centre.  He commended the officers involved in the regeneration projects and requested that officers pass on congratulations and appreciation to Nick Landers and his team for the work undertaken.

ØConcern was expressed that there was no transport link within the Tredegar valley and asked whether work could be undertaken in conjunction with Caerphilly Council to provide a rail link to Bryn Bach Park.

ØA suggestion was made that investigations take place into whether people who was in receipt of concessionary travel cards could also benefit using alternative forms of transport such as taxis.

The Head of Regeneration reported that Transport for Wales were introducing a digitised system for tickets which should make route planning easier.

ØReference was made to the three old tunnels that linked Sirhowy to Ebbw Vale and that one tunnel entrance was located behind the car park at the Works Site and suggested that this history and artefacts could be incorporated as part of the strategy.

The Corporate Director said that transport was currently a major topic nationally and one of the main reasons this strategy was required was in order that the Council could bid for funding to provide affordable and local connectivity throughout the County Borough.

Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously that,

The Committee AGREED to recommend, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and Option 1 be endorsed, namely that the Local Transport Strategy be started in 2020 following the publication of the direction for local rail travel and tied in with the Wales Transport Strategy and future CCR Transport Strategy.