The committee was due to consider the Hereford Transport Strategy
Herefordshire Council has postponed the next General Scrutiny Committee meeting, which was due to consider the results of the independent Hereford Transport Strategy review on the 12 October. This is to allow for further technical work needed to complete the review and ensure the analysis carried out during the review provides the best possible current advice and guidance to inform the important key decisions regarding future transport strategy. The meeting will now take place in November (date to be confirmed).
Herefordshire Council declared a Climate Emergency in March 2019 and set a target of zero carbon emissions by 2030 in September 2019. The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport decided to pause and review the new road elements of the Hereford and South Wye Transport packages on 22 October 2019. This was to help determine how the Local Transport Plan (LTP) can be compatible with the climate emergency and establish the most suitable way forward. The scope of the review was set out in January 2020 and the review began in February.
Councillor John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport said:
“I understand that people will be keen to read the review and I had anticipated that the technical work would be completed by the end of September. It has become clear during the final stages of the review that there is a considerable amount of technical information to review and interpret - this includes the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which has changed travel behaviour, alongside emerging national policy changes addressing climate change and the environment. I have asked for some further technical work to be undertaken which can inform the review and more fully assist members with these issues. It is now likely that Cabinet will consider the review findings in early December following consideration by the General Scrutiny Committee in November.”