A) Chepstow Transport Study: WelTAG Phase 2
B) Matters raised by the North Monmouthshire Area Committee
1. Inappropriate parking at Nevill Hall Hospital
2. Health and Safety issues for track workers relating to open flush toilets on the trains.
3. New trains will not include toilet provision.
4. Parking issues at Abergavenny Railway Station.
5. Removal of the early morning X3 bus service.
6. Bus routes in Llanellen not being gritted
7. Ongoing issue regarding lack of a bus stop at Park Road in Abergavenny to replace the Lower Frogmore Street Bus Stop removed as part of the now completed pedestrianisation scheme.
Re: reconfiguration of Strategic Transport Group meetings, it was decided, by the Area Committee, that a way forward would be to form a sub group comprising of members of the North Monmouthshire Area Committee and the Central Monmouthshire Area Committee meetings to look at local transport issues.
Minutes:
The Head of Service, Strategic Projects (Fixed Term) provided an update on the Chepstow Transport Study, noting that the study is a cross border collaborative project. Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG) Stage 1 is complete and
Arup has been commissioned to undertake WelTAG Stage 2. An initial meeting has been held. Many recommendations arose from WelTAG 1; the three main ones being a By-Pass, Improvements to public transport and a new junction to the M48.
Some funding has been received, or is expected, from Welsh Government, Welsh Office and Gloucestershire CC. The study has been funded (£275,000) and Monmouthshire CC is underwriting part of it. It is anticipated that funding will be required for additional study work as the study progresses. There is a 12 month timescale.
Other studies include:
· Welsh Government has commissioned a study on High Beech Roundabout in Chepstow this financial year with a purpose of reducing traffic congestion.
· A Chepstow/Newport Corridor study has been commissioned by Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to look at transport issues and improvements in the South Monmouthshire / Newport area.
· Highways England has commissioned a study to look at the 2 road crossings of the Severn.
· South East Wales Transport Commission has organised a study arising from the cancellation of the M4 Black Route.
The following matters were raised by the North Monmouthshire Area Committee:
· Inappropriate parking at Nevill Hall Hospital: It was explained that there is a problem with the buses travelling through the congested hospital circular route with an example given of a bus being stuck for an hour due to obstructing cars. An update was provided that a meeting is arranged with Officers, Stagecoach and the Health Board.
· Health and Safety issues for track workers relating to open flush toilets on the trains: The Transport for Wales (TfW) representative was asked to feed this information back.
· New trains will not include toilet provision: The Transport for Wales (TfW) representative was asked to feed this information back.
· Parking issues at Abergavenny Railway Station: The Transport for Wales representative confirmed that these issues are already identified and highly rated for improvement.
· Removal of the early morning X3 bus service: This matter was raised earlier in the meeting.
· Bus routes in Llanellen not being gritted: This matter has been passed to the relevant officer.
· Ongoing issue regarding lack of a bus stop at Park Road in Abergavenny to replace the Lower Frogmore Street Bus Stop removed as part of the now completed pedestrianisation scheme. It was reported that the design has been approved by Welsh Government. It was commented that this project needs to be completed as early as possible. No timescales are available, but a decision on funding is expected by April. Additionally, the recommissioning of the Penypound bus stop should be resolved soon.
Regarding reconfiguration of Strategic Transport Group meetings, feedback was provided from the North Monmouthshire Area Committee where it was suggested that there could be sub groups to focus on local areas e.g. North and South of the County. It was suggested that a separate meeting with the Chair, Councillor Woodhouse and the Head of Service, Strategic Projects (Fixed Term) could be arranged to discuss options.