To update the Committee on the proposed next steps for progression of the Council’s next Local Transport Plan (LTP), the Reading Transport Strategy 2036, following the statutory consultation which was undertaken in 2020.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the proposed next steps for progression of the Council’s next Local Transport Plan (LTP), the Reading Transport Strategy 2036, following the statutory consultation which was undertaken between May to August 2020. One key element of the feedback received from that consultation was the differing views on expectations for changes to travel behaviour in the ‘new normal’, demonstrating uncertainty in this area at the current time.

The report set out the background to the development of the draft version of the Strategy 2036 which had included initial work to investigate the feasibility of demand management measures. These findings had demonstrated limited financial and environmental benefits resulting from the implementation of a demand management scheme at this time. Subsequently, further high-level analysis had been undertaken to consider possible demand management options to help address the issue of ‘rat-running’ and through traffic which added to congestion to Reading. However, there was insufficient data to progress this matter and it was therefore recommended that this matter should be revisited once traffic flows and behaviours had re-baselined.

The report explained that the Council was at a critical stage in the delivery of a number of significant sustainable transport schemes, the details of which were included in the overall priorities for the Strategic Transport Service Area Priorities (June to November 2021), as set out in Appendix A. The report advised that the service was currently at capacity and any new workstreams would either result in pausing another project or having funding to pay for external support.  In addition, it was envisaged that future funding opportunities would be predicated on the Council demonstrating strong ambition through various other pieces of work such as an updated Local Cycling Walking Improvement Plan.

Given these circumstances, the report set out the options available regarding the next steps for the LTP:

• Option A – update the draft LTP in 2021/22 for adoption to reflect what we currently know in relation to the ‘new normal’ priorities and emerging travel patterns.

• Option B – focus on the priorities set out in Appendix A in 2021/22 as well as exploring opportunities to secure external funding for future schemes; this to include exploring further development of demand management measures, alongside monitoring of the ‘new normal’ to inform an update of the draft LTP to commence later in the year.

Officers recommended that the Committee agreed to Option B so as to enable the service to focus on the priorities set out in Appendix A.  This approach would support the post-Covid economic recovery and would align with a key corporate priority to build a more inclusive economy in Reading.

Resolved –

(1)           That the contents of the report be noted and agrees to the recommendation to focus on existing priorities as set out in Appendix A in 2021/22, including the development of detailed Local transport Plan sub-strategies so as to put the Council in the best position to secure external funding for sustainable transport schemes and initiatives;

(2)           That further work on the draft Local Transport Plan be paused pending the establishment of a new baseline information in 2022/23 with a view to building an evidence base to bid for any new funding streams which will deliver sustainable, inclusive traffic demand management solutions across the town.