NS presentation DPE Oct 07

Liverpool Daily Post and Echo BriefingMerseyside’s Transport Strategy Neil Scales Chair of Merseyside Transport Partnership Chief Executive and Director General Merseytravel: 

Liverpool Daily Post and Echo Briefing Merseyside’s Transport Strategy Neil Scales Chair of Merseyside Transport Partnership Chief Executive and Director General Merseytravel

Structure: 

Structure Recap on Merseytravel Recap on national policy issues Overview of Merseyside transport strategy The aims of the Local Transport Plan Issues on the horizon

Context: What is Merseytravel?: 

Context: What is Merseytravel? Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority and Executive Responsible for co-ordinating public transport in Merseyside One of 7 such bodies in the UK A public-sector body: 18 elected representatives Funded by 5 local authorities (levy) Funding from central government (grant / loans)

Merseytravel’s role : 

Merseytravel’s role Jointly develops transport plans and policies Builds new public transport infrastructure, e.g: Bus & rail stations Bus stops & shelters Operates local rail services, ferries and road tunnels Administers travel tickets and concessionary travel Supports non-commercial bus services Does not run buses Does not employ bus drivers Does not control the highways

Recap on national transport agenda: 

Recap on national transport agenda Rod Eddington (ex CX of BA) commissioned by DfT and Treasury to develop long-term transport strategy Transport closely linked to economic growth If traffic growth continues without intervention in line with economic growth, we will reach gridlock This will harm the economy – congestion wastes money and makes us less competitive We can’t build our way out of this problem Stern – climate change is here – taking action now cheaper than dealing with the consequences later

The importance of transport : 

The importance of transport Economic: Good transport provides a clear competitive edge providing;- Easy access Low congestion costs Good environment; so Efficient transport facilitates economic growth, BUT Congestion hinders business efficiency and impacts on regeneration Environmental: Efficient transport helps provide high quality of life and address climate change, BUT Unmanaged transport causes air quality problems, noise and traffic accidents Sustainable communities: A good transport network enables equality of travel opportunity to all, BUT Lack of transport provides a barrier to social inclusion particularly in areas of persistent social disadvantage and worklessness

Importance of joint working: 

Importance of joint working A major strength in Merseyside Joint working on transport for over 20 years Partnership approach to transport delivery Joint Local Transport Plan

Slide8: 

Merseyside’s Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 “Excellent” “A fully integrated safe transport network which supports social and economic regeneration and, ensures good access for all which, is operated to the highest standards to protect the environment and ensure quality of life”

The LTP A statutory requirement set within the framework of National Priorities : 

The LTP A statutory requirement set within the framework of National Priorities Congestion Air quality and quality of life Accessibility Road safety Climate change

Merseyside Priorities: 

Merseyside Priorities Economic growth The Mersey Ports Liverpool John Lennon Airport City Centre Strategic Investment Areas Mersey Gateway Access for all Sustainable communities, supporting new housing Health and quality of life Supporting Capital of Culture and tourism Ensuring a well connected region Transport not an “add-on” to Merseyside’s needs

The Long Term Strategy The LTP is a five year investment plan to 2011, but set within a long term strategy to 2025, : 

The Long Term Strategy The LTP is a five year investment plan to 2011, but set within a long term strategy to 2025, Manage for the growth of transport demand to provide for the efficient movement of people and goods

Recent Trends: 

Recent Trends Some increase in population, esp. city centre More employment but new demands for travel opportunity, and Continuing problems of accessibility in areas of disadvantage and worklessness Rising freight movement particularly to the port Increase in car ownership and use, leading to Rise in congestion levels and poor air quality Reduction in walking and bus use – health and obesity timebomb Increase in rail use leading to some overcrowding

Addressing these issues with some recent achievements : 

Addressing these issues with some recent achievements Major improvements to the City Centre, St Helens and Bootle 59 fully refurbished train units and pioneering local rail franchise Major investment by the bus companies in new vehicles 14 Interchange schemes and 5,000 park and ride spaces Liverpool South Parkway Workwise – helping people into work Travelwise – promoting sustainable travel City Centre Movement Strategy

Slide14: 

The Challenge: Merseyside Traffic Forecasts

Managing growth in the City Centre: 

Managing growth in the City Centre The heart of the city region World heritage site – requires high quality infrastructure Main economic growth area Growing importance of tourism Air Quality Management Area – traffic levels largely responsible Forecast 12% traffic growth to the City Centre in morning peak LTP target is 7% Avoid the Dublin experience – we have a window of opportunity

Slide16: 

The Challenge: City Centre Traffic Trends

The strategy for the city centre: 

The strategy for the city centre LTP OBJECTIVES Improve accessibility for all Create a people friendly City that is safe, clean and attractive for all users Make best use of the City Centre’s key transport assets Support improvement of the City Centre’s architecture and townscape

The City Centre Movement Strategy (CCMS): 

The City Centre Movement Strategy (CCMS) Alternative ways of meeting our objectives considered ranging from ‘car free’ city centre to a ‘car priority’ approach. Widespread consultation The City adopted a “balanced approach” that “prioritised sustainable modes” but “provided for access by car”, however We must ensure that rising congestion does not affect the city’s competitive economic edge

The Big Dig: 

The Big Dig CCMS is only part of the BIG DIG works. Many of the most critical BIG DIG roadworks are essential for major new projects:- Building the new entrance to Liverpool One on The Strand Improving electricity utilities works along the lengths of Dale Street and Lime Street Works closing Hanover St for the Utilities and Liverpool One Works on many developments throughout the City centre that have hoardings intruding into and reducing the carriageway, often in difficult locations. Did we have any alternative to the Big Dig?

Access for all: 

Access for all Aim to provide high quality environment for all users of the city centre We are not anti car - Some CCMS schemes such as Hunter St/Byrom St are there specifically to help the motorist, but overall our aim is to reduce traffic in core centre to reduce vehicle speeds – improving air quality for all avoid fast through traffic to ensure a safe, friendly and historic city centre improve access to all parts of the centre for all users - better signage and road layout

A high quality environment : 

A high quality environment Hunter Street / Byrom Street Renshaw Street / Berry Street Seymour Street / Copperas Hill Skelhorne Street Reversal Tithebarn Street Paradise Bus Station Buses only on St Johns Lane Hope Street Improvement Church Street / Whitechapel / Stanley Street The Strand

Improving transport for all: 

Improving transport for all Managing traffic growth relies on Increase in quality of public transport – partnership with operators crucial Managing the road network Designated freight routes Managing parking demand Planning and development control Promoting walking and cycling Using TravelWise to work with employers to promote travel plans for major businesses, health care sites and schools Developing links with key players like Chambers of Commerce and Liverpool Vision

Improving transport for all : 

Improving transport for all Innovation Car sharing Car Club New ticketing to reflect changed lifestyles Intelligent transport systems Access plan – daughter document to the LTP ensuring equality of travel opportunity for all Particular emphasis on addressing worklessness and access to employment – Workwise.

Communication: 

Communication Vital to all that we do We can’t deliver the LTP without public commitment and practical actions Important to communicate that the LTP is about much more than just ‘transport for transport’s sake’ Use of new eye catching, consistent publicity materials Role of the press vital, especially as debate on future transport strategies take shape

Knowing our audience: 

Knowing our audience Extensive recent, psychographic segmentation: Regular TravelWisers (53%) Car users, no need to change (14%) Convertibles (30%) Ensure we target the right people – don’t bother with 14% unconvertible!

Improvements by 2011: 

Improvements by 2011 High quality, safe and sustainable infrastructure and vehicles Further major improvements in district centres City Line enhancements Ensure the four Liverpool City Centre stations have adequate capacity Provide additional car parking spaces at Merseyrail stations Improved facilities for freight movement, particularly to the port Olive Mount rail chord Enhanced facilities for cycling and walking Better travel information for all modes - VMS Changes in travel choice

Changes on the horizon: 

Changes on the horizon Government’s supportive of local road user charging (as per Eddington Report) The local approach to road user charging: Not appropriate for Merseyside at present But we don’t adopt ‘ostrich’ approach “Trigger points” identified in our LTP Important that we plan for the longer term Nothing ruled in or ruled out at present Vital that we have an informed, balanced debate What do we want Liverpool of the future to be like Avoid the Detroit or Dublin examples

Slide31: 

Neil Scales 0151 330 1101 www.transportmerseyside.org