A report providing the Committee with an update on the progress made towards the delivery of the current programme of strategic transport schemes in Reading, including major public transport enhancements for both bus and rail services, active travel improvements to enable more walking and cycling, and associated incentivisation and communications initiatives to encourage more healthy lifestyles.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing an update on the progress with delivery of the current programme of strategic transport schemes in Reading.  This included major public transport enhancements for both bus and rail services, active travel improvement to enable more walking and cycling and associated incentivisation and communications initiatives to encourage more healthy lifestyles.  Key milestones, set out in the report, included the launch of the Reading All-Bus ticket scheme which set a daily cap for bus travel in Reading, securing an additional £1m funding from the DfT for the Bath Road active travel scheme, and the significant milestone of the opening of Reading Green Park Railway Station to the public on 27 May 2023.

The report explained that the BSIP programme had included a range of capital and revenue measures to encourage greater bus usage in Reading, with one of the key revenue initiatives being the introduction of a multi-operator fares reduction ticketing scheme.  The report also explained that the current contract for the operation of the BUZZ 42 service, which ran between Kenavon Drive, the town centre and Richfield Avenue, had commenced in November 2020 and was operated by Reading Transport Limited.  The initial period for the contract was due to expire on 3 November 2023, however, the contract had included the option to extend for a period of 24 months until 3 November 2025.  The bus services were proving popular with usage levels increasing steadily and were fully funded by private sector section 106 contributions that had been specifically fettered for the provision of the bus service to give new residents a new sustainable travel choice.  The Assistant Director for Planning, Transport and Public Protection had therefore taken the decision to extend the service contract until November 2025.

An additional £1m grant funding had recently been secured from the DfT for the active travel scheme on Bath Road and the Assistant Director for Planning, Transport and Public Protection had agreed spend approval for this additional funding to be allocated to the scheme.

The report explained that the development and delivery of the programme of strategic transport schemes was lead and managed by officers, with external support from specialist transport planning and engineering consultants.  Until August 2019 the Council had had a term contract with a single supplier for the provision of these transport consultancy services, however, since this time a number of different external procurement routes had been used to engage these services.  Recent soft-market testing with a number of multi-disciplinary transport consultants had revealed interest in the establishment of a Reading focused transport consultancy framework, which would enable a more consistent approach to the delivery and development of transport schemes and associated funding proposals.  The soft-market test had provided feedback on a number of different approaches which officers were reviewing to obtain best value from the market.  It was likely this would involve establishing a framework with two multi-disciplinary suppliers with the ability to deliver a wide range of services, as required by the Transport and Highways teams.  The scope could also be tailored to ensure that the transport related requirements of other areas of the Council could also be met.  The report therefore sought approval for the progression of a procurement to establish a framework agreement for the provision of transport consultancy services and for authority to be granted to the Assistant Director for Planning, Transport and Public Protection, in consultation with the Assistant Directors of Legal and Democratic Services and Procurement, to approve the award of the resulting contracts.

The authorisation process in respect of Reading Green Park Station had been completed in May 2023 and the station had transferred to Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR), who owned and operated the station, respectively.  An event had been held to mark the formal opening of the station with all key partners and stakeholders on 25 May 2023 and the first public services calling at the station had commenced on 27 May 2023.  With regard to Reading West Station, work was being managed by GWR, who the Council were in regular dialogue with.  Currently, work was being carried out to fit out the building on Oxford Road, with the sign-off process being carried out with Network Rail, and the station opening at the end of summer 2023 at the latest.

Resolved:

(1)        That the progress made on the delivery of the current programme of strategic transport schemes as outlined in the report be noted;

(2)        That the decision of the Assistant Director for Planning, Transport and Public Protection to extend the BUZZ 42 bus service contract, which ran between Kenavon Drive and Richfield Avenue, until November 2025 be noted;

(3)        That the decision of the Assistant Director for Planning, Transport and Public Protection to agree spend approval for the additional £1m capital grant funding which had been secured from the Department for Transport for the Bath Road active travel scheme be noted;

(4)        That the progression of a procurement to establish a framework agreement for the provision of transport consultancy services, and the provision of delegated authority to the Assistant Director for Planning, Transport and Public Protection, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy & Transport, and Assistant Directors of Legal & Democratic Services and Procurement, to approve the award of the resulting contracts be approved.