Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport on the Local Transport Plan, the purpose of which was to advise the Committee on the development of the Enabling Travel Choice Strategy (ETCS) and work undertaken to prepare three Multi-Modal Area Investment Plans (MMAIPs) pilots (Market Harborough, South Leicestershire and Hinckley areas). A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 8’ is filed with these minutes.

Arising from the discussion, the following points were made:

i)       It was noted that the LTP4 project began in 2021. Phase one had been completed and phase two was now underway. Phase three would begin following feedback received next year. Members acknowledged that the overall implementation of LTP4 would span the entire plan period up to 2040. Some phases would run in parallel, with certain long-term projects requiring several years to complete, while shorter schemes might be delivered sooner using the LTG grant funding. It was emphasised that all progress would be contingent on available funding, and that the plan included ongoing reviews to ensure the right interventions were being made.

ii)      It was highlighted that to make the recently published Transport Survey as useful as possible, Committee Members could share the survey through their social media channels to help improve engagement.

iii)    It was noted that developments closer to urban areas were more likely to be suitable for walking and cycling, while rural locations faced more challenges. The County Council had a role in influencing development sites through Local Plans, to ensure active travel was sustainable and when considering sustainable transport contributions under Section 106 developer contributions, geography being a key factor. It was also highlighted that the Authority worked with developers to find affordable, deliverable solutions that met high design standards but also suited local needs.

iv)    Officers were thanked for accommodating an informative visit to the Melton Mowbray Distributor Road for Members and were praised for the progress and expected delivery by Spring 2026.

v)     A Member highlighted the important role Fox Connect (on-demand transport service operating in Leicestershire) had in the rural areas, especially in the Belvoir Division, which covered 32 villages and 12 parishes where despite early issues, the service had been effective. The long-term security of funding for Fox Connect was queried and it was noted that current funding from the Bus Service Improvement Plan had only been confirmed for the short-term. Well-used routes could become self-sustaining as subsidies were decreased, but underused routes could be reviewed if funding declined and data would guide any future investment decisions to maintain a sustainable network.

vi)    A Member queried if the County Council was legally required to provide transport in areas where services like Fox Connect did not operate and where existing services were financially unviable. The Director reported that the Council had a duty to consider transport needs, but not to provide transport directly. Decisions around provision were based on what was reasonable for the Authority and aimed to ensure rural connectivity without guaranteeing an individual service.

vii)   A member raised concerns about limited late night bus services near the city, which now ran to 10pm instead of 11pm. It was suggested that this affected shift workers ability to use public transport and undermined carbon reduction goals. It was questioned whether pressure could be applied to Arriva or subsidies offered to improve the service. The Council was open to exploring improvements where there was sufficient demand, and the public survey was a key tool for gathering feedback to support such decisions.

viii)  A Member raised concerns about byways which were open to all forms of traffic, particularly in the Belvoir Division, where off-road vehicles were damaging environmentally sensitive areas. It was requested whether a future strategy could be considered which would close some of the worst-affected routes. It was acknowledged that this was a complex issue with many legal challenges and although there was no guarantee, it was suggested that in future, assessing specific routes on a case-by-case basis would be beneficial, focusing on safety and the asset condition. If there was learning from this approach, this would help inform any future strategy.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.