Appendix 3 containing the City Centre Transport Strategy is attached.

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director – Growth and Development, which updated Members on the refreshed Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040, and accompanying Five-Year Delivery Plan and Local Implementation Plans, and the City Centre Transport to 2040.

Key points and themes in the report included:-

·                The Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 sought to deliver a vision for ‘World class connections that support long-term, sustainable economic growth and access to opportunity for all’;

·                The provision of high-quality transport services was vital to deliver the diverse and distinctive economy ensuring connections and opportunities for residents and businesses across the city;

·                The Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 specifically identified the need to meet a zero-carbon target by 2038 at the latest

·                The updated City Centre Transport Strategy would need to provide the capacity needed to underpin growth and support the creation of new jobs in the city; and

·                Detail on the significant engagement and consultation that had taken place on the City Centre Transport Strategy.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committees discussion were:-

·                Welcoming the reports and supporting the strategies, in particular the City Centre Transport Strategy to 2040;

·                Supporting the key principals and prioritise of the City Centre Transport Strategy 2040 to reduce carbon emissions and deliver sustainable travel;

·                Consideration needed to be given to reducing carbon emissions from goods and freight vehicles;

·                Noting that the City Centre Transport Strategy 2040 had been developed in consultation with local Members and residents, noting that the co-design workshops had been well attended by residents and the feedback was very positive;

·                What arrangements were in place to provide scrutiny and oversight of the delivery of these strategies;

·                Noting that the delivery of these strategies was an opportunity for securing employment and training;

·                The Streets for All scheme needed to be rolled out across all wards in Manchester to support and encourage active travel into the city centre;

·                Consideration needed to be given to the issue of the security of active travel, especially for journeys undertaken in the evening; and

·                An update was sought as to the approach taken to the location of Mobility Hubs, recognising the impact this could have on residential areas.

The Director of City Centre Growth and Infrastructure advised all district centres had a local implementation plan to support active travel. She described that to ensure this work was delivered at pace all funding opportunities, including the recently announced levelling up scheme would be applied for to accelerate this activity.

The City Centre Growth Manager described that a location in Ancoats was being considered as a location for a Mobility Hib, adding that it was recognised that that appropriate consideration needed to be given as to their location. She further commented that officers continued to work with the Highways Department to minimise and mitigate against the impact of any displacement of vehicles on residential areas close to the city centre.

The Executive Member for Environment, Planning and Transport informed the Committee that scrutiny and oversight of the delivery of these strategies would be undertaken by the Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Salford Council. She described that the strategies had Key Performance Indicators so that progress against delivery could be reported and measured.

The Executive Member for Environment, Planning and Transport paid tribute to the residents and local Members for their contribution in developing the City Centre Transport Strategy. She commented that residents supported the ambitions to deliver a cleaner, greener and less congested city. She made reference to the schemes delivered on Deansgate and in the Northern Quarter and the good practice and lessons learnt from these schemes would inform the delivery of additional schemes, working with local residents, local Member and partners, including TfGM and the taxi trade. 

The Chair in concluding this item made reference to the importance of positive and meaningful engagement with residents and local Members when planning and delivering schemes.

Decisions

The Committee;

(1)     Note the refreshed Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040, the final Our Five Year Transport Delivery Plan (2021-2026) and Local Implementation Plan for Manchester. 

(2)     Note the final draft of the City Centre Transport Strategy to 2040.

(3)     Request that the Executive take on board the points raised by the Committee in relation to the City Centre Transport Strategy 2040