Summary of the Stakeholder Consultation Feedback on the Provisional RTP (October 2008)

Ref No. / Name of Organisation / Key Points / Actions
R1 / Powys Local Health Board /
  • LHBs referenced in the RTP, but not NHS trusts, which treat the patients and decide where hospital services are and are the major employers
  • 6.4.22- CT/health- state difficulties in partnership working and funding issues.
  • CT vehicle replacement scheme- consideration needs to be given to how the scheme would be implemented

R2 / Stakeholder Workshop Notes /
  • The first intervention ’reducing the demand on transport infrastructure’ gives the wrong message
  • Funding on rail and bus less than 5% of programme
  • Need more detail on individual schemes
  • In rural areas many ticket offices are many miles away, so enabling passengers to order tickets remotely and collect them on the train would improve accessibility
  • TraCC to put pressure on WAG for an Aberystwyth bypass
  • TraCC needs to engage more with ATW and Network Rail
  • The sum for feeder services in the programme seems too low
  • Where has the figure for 8 CT vehicles come from?
  • 6.4.21 incorrect statement- It is still possible to obtain lottery funding, albeit more difficult
  • National parks get £250k from the sustainable development fund which can support CT based and sustainable visitor pilots

R3 / Passenger Focus /
  • State thatonly 41% of passengers are satisfied with the freq of the service Cambrian Main Line(P1)
  • Agree the importance of cross border connections and provide statistics to support this (P2).
  • Concerned with the phrase ‘reducedemand on transport infrastructure’ recommend that it is renamed to ‘maximise the efficient use of transport infrastructure’ or combined with priority 7 to state ‘maximise the effective and efficient use of transport infrastructure’ (P3).
  • Would like to see priority 10 extended to state ‘ deliver a co-ordinated and integrated travel and transport network through effective partnership working’ to include partnership with representatives of transport users to ensure that the experience and expectations of users are at the heart of transport planning and delivery’ (P4).
  • Agree concessionary fares can maximise efficient use of the rail network and promote social inclusion, supported by their research on the Conwy Valley Line (P5).
  • Research on the Cambrian Line showed that 61% of passengers thought there should be an hourly service & 75% every 90minutes (P6).
  • Disappointed real time information appears to be limited to buses, if it in included in the rail services and facilities improvementscheme then it should be stated (P7).
  • Only 4% of tourists travel to Wales by train- efforts to address these problems would be welcomed (P8).
  • Extend the scope of the rail study ‘maximising investment in rail infrastructure’ to include the HoWL (P9)
  • Research has shown that ATW station attributes score below the national average and are the lowest rating of all franchised operators fro (upkeep/ repair of station buildings/platforms; cleanliness; connections with PT; availability of staff) (P10)
  • Recommend the adoption of the standards for station facilities set out in “What passengers want from stations” (P11)
  • Include car parking at rail stations in the proposed parking strategy (P12)
  • Recommend there is an emphasis on the ‘user’s experience’ in the monitoring programme (P13)
  • Passenger Focus will share data from the National Passenger Survey with TraCC to assist monitoring (P14)
  • Office of Rail Regulation statistics on rail usage and ticket sales/ train service performance from operating companies which may aid monitoring and evaluation (P15)

R4 / Motorcycle Action Group /
  • A number of statements how motorcycles can reduce emissions, improve safety and save time

R5 / Welsh Assembly Government (Regeneration) /
  • 7.3.15- Aberystwyth public transport interchange has recently been earmarked as a regional priority for accessing Convergence funding through the ERDF Transport Framework (P1)
  • 7.3.40- there exists an opportunity to integrate the coastal path and other visitor attractions proposals under the ‘Environment for Growth (E4G) theme within the convergence programme, to maximise funding opportunities. (P2)
  • 7.3.41- maximising investment in the rail infrastructure study will provide the evidence base required to support a potential convergence application to increasing frequency to an hourly service (P3)
  • 7.3.57- the Conwy Line between Blaenau Ffestiniog to Trawsfynydd not only has important implications in terms of the decommissioning of the power station but also the wider economic benefits in terms if tourism and the significant potential of rail freight transportation and the impact in terms of economic deprivation (P4)
  • Aware of 4 cycling schemes linking into the national cycle route and Coed y Brenin that will pursue Convergence funding under E4G (P5)
  • Support needed for E-W strategic highway improvements, must draw attention to need to improve A44 between Aberystwyth and Llangurig, as well along A458 between Welshpool and the English border to improve the economic competitiveness of the Severn Valley (P6)
  • Greater emphasis in the Rail Freight Project (7.3.121) on the potential of upgrading the Conwy Line to accommodate rail freight (including nuclear waste fromdecommissioning of Trawsfynydd)

R6 / Community Transport Association UK /
  • Suggest a capital enhancement scheme of support for CT operators including vehicle replacement and equipment purchase such as destination display equipment, ticket machines, SMART card readers, wheelchair restraints, IT software for booking and management systems. This could include revenue support directly to operators for attaining quality marks and attending training
  • Monies should be allocated to CT operators on a bidding structure with criteria driven by the objectives of the RTP and on a match funded basis (hope all 4 consortia will adopt a consistent approach)

R8 / PTI Cymru Ltd /
  • Little mention of the importance of an effective information and marketing strategy as a means of improving modal split
  • Need coordinated regional information and marketing campaign with constituent local authorities, partners and stakeholders (agreed programme and budget)
  • TraCC should develop a separate policy objective specifically to increase public awareness of sustainable transport alternatives, with detailed information about the environmental consequences of modal choice in line with the guidelines set in the WAG Smarter Choices document.
  • The work by local, school and regional travel coordinators needs rationalising in the region to deliver a ‘one stop shop’ with partners such as PTI Cymru & Sustrans
  • PTI Cymru beginning to examine the optimal control and communication arrangements for Demand Responsive Transport

R9 / Transition Llambed /
  • Concerned that the draft does not mention the problems created by diminishing oil resources coupled with the ever increasing use of oil powered vehicles (P1)
  • Support the reopening of the of railway lines. The opening a railway line between Aberystwyth and S. Waleswould provide environmental, economic and social benefits (via Lampeter) (P3)
  • Urge consideration for the route of the old railway via Pencader and Carmarthen (with some diversions) which would cater for the movement between Lampeter and Carmarthen and from Mid Wales to Ireland without substantially increasing Aberystwyth to Cardiff journey times (P4)
  • Essential to make PT competitive with the private car. Increasing service frequency and improving passenger facilities. To create an efficient passenger centred service timetabling, coordinated branding, simplified ticketing and provision for parking cars and bicycles (P5).

R10 / Rights of WayOfficer-PowysCounty Council /
  • Disappointed at the lack of attention paid to PROW, as they are an a essential role of utility travel as well as for leisure and recreation
  • No mention of horse riding in the RTP and equine tourism is of growing importance to the local economy.
  • The Powys Rights of Way Improvement Plan have put a series of projects that they would like to see included in the RTP including:
  • Achieve 80% of PROW network open, Survey all recreation trials, Dyfi Bridge Project- new bridge linking to the All Wales Coastal Path, Access for All Project, Circular Trails Project- local routes around settlements, Survey all bridges all the PROW routes, Project to look at managing illegal off-roading, Publish an enforcement guide and produce definitive and interpretive plan

R11 / Cambrian Railways Partnership /
  • Lack of recognition in the RTP to the role and on-going work the Cambrian Railway Partnership (& other community partnerships) (P1)
  • Considering that the level of funding to the consortia will remain around the same as currently allocated, it is difficult to see how either the step up/ change are achievable (P2)
  • 4.5.5- bullet point 6- should read something like ‘ensure that carrying facilities are appropriate and of sufficient capacity on public transport services’
  • Include some of the proposals submitted in a bid by CRP to WAG Dec 06
  • Lack of clarity with regard to revenue and capital funding and who is responsible for what in the RTPe.g. emphasis that providing an hourly service falls outside the parameters of TraCC

R14 / Campaign for National Parks /
  • Intervention – Reducing demand on transport infrastructure- worth noting national parks provide models of best practice in sustainable transport provision that will be applicable to other areas (P2)
  • Limited resource allocated to sustainable transport initiatives and to national Parks in particular (P1) compared to the level of funding allocated to highways & falls short of the needs of the national parks
  • Intervention-Reducing environmental impacts- worth recognising in the RTP the added protection the “national parks must be given by virtue of their designation and statutory purposes (P3)
  • Concern “TraCC’s view is that certain ‘sensitive’ schemes do need to be considered in order to provide the appropriate highway network for Mid Wales” (P4)
  • Intervention Encouraging sustainable travel- they believe that insufficient attention has been paid to getting to the Parks, as distinct from moving around within them once there (P6).
  • They would like to see TraCC working with SNPA and BBNPA to give further consideration to how the RTP can contribute to improving sustainable access to the National Parks (P8)
  • The statement ‘TraCC would wish to see a balanced consideration of economic and social, as well as environmental issues’ suggests that time should not be allowed to consider properly all environmental implications (P11)

R15 / PAVO & CAVO /
  • No mention of CT in the summary of opportunities (P1) and suggest the following additions:
  • There are many good examples of providing public transport/ CT and sustainable travel for tourists that could also be further developed
  • Carbon emissions could be cut by reducing the need to travel, increasing the use of PT/CT improving the fuel efficiency of vehicles and finding alternative fuels.
  • 3.3.2- could add ‘any assessment of TraCC performance based on Accession that fails to make allowances for CT services in the region will be misleading and potentially manifestly unfair. There is a greater need for access-related CT in the TraCC region than in the more urban parts of Wales’ (P2)
  • Maybe a definition of community transport should be included in the RTP (example text provided) (P3)
  • Intervention 7-Influencing Land Use Planning could promote the idea that plans for accommodation targeted at elderly or disabled people, retail development, healthcare development should include consideration of a s.106 contribution towards ensuring good accessibility by older and disabled people (P4)
  • Table 5.2- feel CT could have scored better, as it improves safety and security’ by reduces car borne trips and that CT groups set and maintain high safety standards (P5)
  • 6.4.19- worth noting that CT services are provided to meet 3 generic problems (for people for whom there is no convenient/ viable PT service, people for whom conventional PT is not appropriate and to enable groups of people to travel together for community activities and social cohesion)
  • 6.4.21- should say it is now more difficult to obtain lottery funding (P6)
  • 6.4.22- Last sentence woolly- provided a few sentences on access to healthcare facilities by CT (P7)
  • 6.4.25- is the last section of the last sentence required (P8)
  • 7.3.24- 8 new CT (minibuses) vehicles included in the 5yr programme, suggestion that it would be better it bid for smaller vehicles? (P9)
  • 7.3.26- would like to include ‘Public bus operators and third sector providers will be part of the consultation process should further initiatives be considered appropriate. (P10)
  • They would like to see the mobile services feasibility study coordinated potentially by a local CT. John Taylor can give examples of mobile day centres (caravan), which are towed into place by a minibus which then goes out and picks people with mobility difficulties up to bring them in (P11)
  • 7.3.34- potential for CT to contribute to leisure/tourism accessibility improvements (P12)
  • 7.3.96- Smarter choices development- that CT gets involved with this and actively seeks to win any tendered work that may be forthcoming to undertake e.g. personalised travel plans (P13)

R17 / Bus Users UK Cymru /
  • Believe in the medium term further development of the TrawsCambria into a proper express service would be a better investment than the development of new railway lines
  • Would like to see more Demand responsive transport including CT and need better transport information, as well as shelters, timetables, fare information
  • Would like to see commitments to promotion of integrated transport- e.g. multimodal ticketing, bus/rail interchanges and SMART cards, cycle parking

R18 / Railfuture Cymru/Wales /
  • No standardisation of bus timetables and production of easily available county bus timetables
  • Support the exchange of rail and bus times preferably using digital screens at interchanges
  • Welcome the provision of the daily Snowdon Sherpa services as a model of good practice and would like to see these extended in the region (Beacons Bus limited service)
  • Support proposals to upgrade the Aberystwyth and Blaenau Ffestiniog lines of the resumption of freight traffic. They recommend land is reserved for freight railheads at Llandrindod, Aberystwyth, Blaenau Ffestiniog andNewtown in their Development Plan
  • The One Wales statement to reduce N-S journey times should be implemented in the TraCC region, especially journey times between Aberystwyth and CambrianCoast.
  • Bus and rail facilities should provide facilities to convey bicycles
  • Like to see more comments about the social impact of transport provision
  • There should be improved access to the countryside and coast by PT
  • Transport to meet the needs of visitors local residents to reduce the dependency on the car and to provide access for those including the elderly and the young who do not have access to a car

R19 / CILT /
  • View that there is a lack of long term vision except for the reopening of railway lines
  • Reopening new railway lines between Aberystwyth to Lampeter/ Llandeilo & Caersws to Builth Wells likely to generate low passenger and freight volumes & they have not been include in the Wales RUS.
  • Improving safety and security TraCC could consider providing support for hauliers to participate in the Safer and Fuel Efficient Driving Scheme (SAFED)
  • Concerns over the practicalities of consolidating both road and rail freight

R20 / Sustrans /
  • Priority should be given to measures which reduce carbon emissions from transport
  • Adaptation of policies that follow a hierarchy of transport modes, with the highest priority given to active modes, then PT then the car
  • Reallocation of road space for the development of walking/ cycling networks
  • Investment in a ‘smarter choices’ programme to bring about behavioural change
  • Improve sustainable transport connectivity between hub settlements in rural areas
  • Strategic transport corridors to include infrastructure for walking and cycling
  • Disappointed that the RTP does not explicitly commit to cutting emissions as a priority and would like to see a RTP that is centred around carbon reduction
  • 3.2.2 (pg 26) paragraph about NCN should be amended to highlight utility trips on the NCN. Another point should be added to summary of opportunities about how local walking and cycling networks can help reduce car dependency
  • 4.4.5 (pg. 32) priorities do not do enough to highlight walking and cycling infrastructure
  • 4.5.5 to point 6 and 7 to include linking communities as part of pedestrian routes
  • 5.1.19- poorly worded- include all utility trips
  • Table 5.2 ‘provide, promote and improve sustainable forms of travel only gets one + against links to regional and national networks
  • 7.3.17- why is NCN only mentioned under Tywyn when it passes through Machynlleth, Newtown, Welshpool Newtown, Brecon, Dolgellau and Penrhyndeudraeth
  • 7.3.62- whilst Pont Dysynni is a good scheme, town network improvements in Welshpool and Llandrindod would have a much higher benefit
  • 7.3.67- improving safety issues at Barmouth are surely a higher priority compared toTywyn shared use path
  • Machynlleth to Aberystwyth and Penegoes to Mach should both be local routes

R22 / TAS Partnership /
  • Draft contribution to RTP

R23 / BreconBeaconsNational Park /
  • Need to update Table 2.3 to include Unitary Development Plan which is the most up to date policy document
  • 4.2.3 reference should be made to the Management Plan as providing the equivalent guidance to the Unitary Authorities Community Strategies within the National Park boundaries
  • 5.1.10- any scheme must demonstrate that environmentalquality has been the primary consideration in their planning and design, subjectonly to the needs of road safety
  • 5.1.25- hope that TraCC takes the strategic objective of the BBNPA LDP “to promote development which is supported by sustainable transport initiatives and reduce the reliance on private motor vehicles”
  • 6.3.32 road charging- must state that it must be stressed that the consideration of any such scheme be mindful of the needs of the local communities to access services, jobs and facilities. Consideration of local exemptions especially in areas of low incomes, poorly served by public transport must underlie any future policy direction in this area
  • Need to emphasise morethe particular issues facing Mid Wales, rurality, low population density and poor economic performance.
  • The RTP does not deal strongly with cross border links, purely description does not bring forward any direct solutions
  • Disappointed with the high proportion of spend dedicated to highway schemes, especially in the north of the region. Limited justification for highway schemes
  • Concerned no funding allocation, timetable or priority allocated to the development of the sustainable visitor transport strategy (pg 50), which is an essential piece of work.
  • Maybe useful to mention the NPA current project to increase visitor use of PT
  • Marketing of transport services key and the allocated spend seems insufficient in relation to the task
  • TrawsCambria network needs to be a higher priority in the RTP
  • 4.3-maybe mention that 40% of all journeys nationally are for leisure
  • Mention the investment in the Marches railway lines
  • NPA aspires to develop a parking strategy
  • Suggested additional text on the Beacons Bus to expand this section
  • Concern that selected cycling schemes focus on the north of the region and an indication of the route selection and evaluation methodology would be helpful
  • Explicit support for the HoWL would be welcomed (7.3.40)
  • NPA beginning to develop ideas to monitor bus usage in the NP

R24 / Simon Norton /
  • Any proposals to develop tourism should be coordinated with Shropshire and Herefordshire CC
  • Market PT networks not just in the TraCC region
  • More detail required on the bus network
  • Extend the proposed railway line between Caersws to Builth Wells to Cardiff
  • ‘Top up buses’ to increase frequency of services along railway lines
  • The development of a hierarchy of bus services- strategic routes, regional routes, local services

R25 / Snowdonia Society /
  • The document places undue weight on the private motoring
  • Welcome creation of a Sherpa type service in the south of the National Park
  • Would like to see a greater emphasis on public transport and providing walking/ cycling alternative for short journeys
  • Welcome investment in the NCN routes, such as Lon Las Cymru
  • Concerned with the statement ‘environmental consideration has contributed to the delay of some schemes’
  • Concerned at the suggestions to increase aviation activity
  • Welcome the lowering of speed limits in National Parks

R26 / Cambrian Railways Trust /
  • Regarding the potential to provide a new N-S rail link within Wales would welcome the following points:
  • Vital to introduce polices to protect former railway corridors from adverse development
  • Studies should be commissioned to investigate the long-term case for reinstatement of the former railway between Buttington junction and Gobowen

R30 / Cambrian Energetics /
  • Have set a steering group with Ystwyth Transport and CAVO to do a study to evaluate the use of an electric bus to provide CT along a variety of routes

R32 / Heart of Wales Line Forum /
  • Disappointed that the enhanced services on the HoWL are not include in the 5yr programme and the general references ‘consideration of improvements’ (to the service on the line).
  • In the 5 yr programme a comment ‘secure an improved frequency of service on the HoWL, starting with the reinstatement of the 5th train (I’m assuming a study)
  • Add a section in the report, setting out the need for an enhanced HoWL service in as much detail as the current Cambrian reference. Happy to assist with the wording, as need to show TraCCs support

R33 / Ceredigion Shopmobility /
  • Consideration for Shopmobility schemes

R34 / Mr Parry /
  • Upgrading road systems only perpetuates the notion that private cars should be the primary form of transport.

R35 / Coast and CountrysideSection-CeredigionCounty Council /
  • There is an opportunity to ensure that the strategic rights of way and access components contained within the Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs) and highlighted/integrated within the RTP. For example:
  • Reference to the Cardi Bach coastal bus service and consideration should be given in the RTP for opportunities for extending for cycle carriage on bus services.
  • Considerable opportunity for mentioning Cardi Bach PT service in relation to improving access to the coast (7.3.40)
  • The ROWIP highlights the role the development of community paths, which may help meet the RTP objectives
  • The Teifi Trail should be considered for inclusion in the priorities to regional/national cycle routes
  • Additionally, the highlighted routes between Cardigan to St Dogmaels and Machynlleth to Aberystwyth will complement access to the coastal path
  • The benefits of quiet lanes for horse riders should be referenced here.
  • Appropriate to draw attention to the Cambrian mountains Pilot Project, currently under consideration

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