Question Submitted Under Council Procedure Rule 10
By Councillor Harrison to Councillor Turrell, Executive Member for Planning and Transport
This Council has recently decided to consult on a Local Plan Draft which contains significant housing allocations in the Parish of Winkfield whose nearest railway station is Martins Heron. In light of this, will the Executive Member ensure that South Western Rail is engaged in the Local Plan consultation process to ensure that their passenger number projections and service plans for Martins Heron and Bracknell stations take full account of the new evidence in the form of the emerging Local Plan.
Additionally will the Executive Member stress to the Department of Transport that Bracknell Forest's growth plans, including the already delivered £250m regeneration of Bracknell Town Centre and commitment to clean air goals justify further investment in public transport links to Heathrow, the Elizabeth Line and Sandhurst and Crowthorne to Gatwick via Wokingham and Guildford?
Minutes:
Councillor Harrison asked Councillor Turrell, Executive Member for Planning and Transport the following question:
This Council is consulting on a Local Plan Draft which contains significant housing allocations in the Parish of Winkfield whose nearest railway station is Martins Heron. In light of this, will the Executive Member ensure that South Western Rail is fully engaged in the Local Plan consultation process to ensure that their passenger number projections and service plans for Martins Heron and Bracknell stations take full account of the new evidence in the form of the emerging Local Plan.
Additionally will the Executive Member stress to the Department of Transport that Bracknell Forest's growth plans, including the already delivered £250m regeneration of Bracknell Town Centre and commitment to clean air goals justify further investment in public transport links to Heathrow, the Elizabeth Line and Sandhurst and Crowthorne to Gatwick via Wokingham and Guildford?
In response Councillor Turrell stated that residents need to be able to get to and from the borough for a variety of reasons by various modes of transport. He stated that for some years, the Council had had regular communication with transport providers and would continue to engage with the current train operating companies on both the Windsor Lines and North Downs Lines.
He added that it was important that the borough's Local Transport Plan objectives for Rail were progressed and the current operators on both lines had consulted on plans for creating greater capacity and improved frequency. He stated that as a result the Council had highlighted the need for a high level of service across all Bracknell stations including the importance of Martins Heron which had seen a 15% increase in patronage over the last 5 years. He reported that Network Rail had formed an alliance with South Western Rail which would include any rail infrastructure issues.
Councillor Turrell stated that the Council had also developed positive and productive relations with bus operators with new and augmented commercial services beginning before the opening of the Lexicon.
He agreed with Councillor Harrison that it was very important to give out timely information and the Council would continue communication on likely future movements as the Local Plan progressed towards submission, examination and adoption.
He added that the Council continued to push for Southern Rail Access to Heathrow which was likely to be delivered as part of any expansion plans at Heathrow, that they were monitoring the remaining stages of the Elizabeth Line project which was due to reach Maidenhead in the next year, and Reading in 2020. The Council was also watching announcements on Crossrail 2 which could benefit users of the Windsor Lines.
Councillor Turrell concluded his response by stating that air quality was monitored regularly, especially in the Council’s two Air Quality Management Areas. He reported that the situation had remained stable since 2012, despite increases in traffic on roads.
No supplementary question was asked.