Consultation opens on transport plan for York and North Yorkshire
The Combined Authority’s draft Mayor’s Local Transport Plan sets out a blueprint for improving connectivity across the region as it prepares to support the creation of 60,000 new homes over the next decade.
The Combined Authority warns that many proposed development sites currently have weak public transport connections, risking increased car dependency and isolation.
Under the draft strategy, new homes and developments should be located where people can travel easily by sustainable modes or designed alongside the infrastructure needed to improve connectivity from the outset.
The forthcoming Spatial Development Strategy will also need to prioritise accessible development sites and ensure schemes are masterplanned to maximise connectivity and sustainability.
The plan covers a geographically diverse region spanning more than 3,000 square miles, from urban centres including York and Harrogate to remote communities in Richmondshire and Ryedale, as well as coastal towns and national parks.
Poor connectivity is identified as a major challenge, with Selby, Filey, and Scarborough among areas facing some of the highest risks of transport-related social exclusion in England.
The draft plan sets a target for 40% of trips to be made by walking, wheeling, or cycling by 2050, with a further 10% made by public transport.
Measures proposed for towns and cities include improved walking, wheeling and cycling networks, stronger public transport links, more accessible streets and town centres designed to prioritise people over traffic.
The strategy also proposes exploring demand management measures to reduce congestion and ensuring sustainable transport is prioritised within new developments.
The wider plan is built around four key themes: creating well-connected places; healthier, safer and more active communities; supporting a thriving and productive economy; and delivering a decarbonised transport system.
Significant capital investment will be required to deliver major transport schemes and increase capacity on key routes and corridors, while additional revenue funding will be needed to support improvements to public transport.
The Combined Authority said its recently awarded Established Mayoral Strategic Authority status, which provides a single integrated funding settlement, could give it greater flexibility over how transport services are funded.
The authority is now inviting residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders to have their say on the draft plan.
