Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Fiona Bodle, Steve Clark, Councillor Mark Ingall, Ann Limb, Paul Kitson and John McGill.

It was noted that the action points detailed in the previous minutes had been resolved.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

RESOLVED that the terms of reference for Harlow Growth Board were signed off, subject to the following amendments to the list of Board members:

A     LSCC Innovation Corridor to be listed as UK Innovation Corridor.

B    Rainbow Services to be listed as Rainbow Services (Harlow).

RESOLVED that that Harlow TIP Vision was signed off.

The Board considered a prioritised list of projects. Jane Greer said that feedback had indicated that one of the areas of greatest concern was the area surrounding the bus station. There were a total of eight projects which would be progressed through the TIP and these would fit into the £25 million envelope.

Adam Halford gave a presentation on the proposal for a Sustainable Transport Interchange. He explained that the proposal would help achieve the required modal shift from private car usage to public transport and other sustainable transport methods. There would also be a focus on improving the visual experience. The Interchange would act as a catalyst for growth, would shift the focus to East Gate, link to the new rapid transit services, and connect to a new junction with Velizy Avenue. The proposal would focus on people, helping to increase footfall within the area, improving perception, along with encouraging private investment.

The second proposal was for a Transport and Commercial Hub. The Terminus provided a poor quality gateway and the proposal would address this. It would demonstrate that the development would be a good use of public land, combining compatible uses and would act a first and last mile transport hub, helping to reduce car use.

The aim would be to create first class facilities, with a vibrant gateway supported by shops on the ground floor, and a mixture of commercial, community and residential units above.

David Sellings presented the proposal for social and safe connected spaces in the town centre. This would look to improve the street scene and contribute to high quality space making. The works would focus on Broad Walk, as well as links to the Water Gardens, Harvey Centre and Harlow College.

Julie Houston spoke on the proposed regeneration of Staple Tye and Bush Fair neighbourhood centres. There was a need to improve the centres, particularly within the context of the Garden Town developments. On Perry Road there was an opportunity for residential development on the Lister House site and the depot site could be renewed to provide employment space.

Adam Halford outlined the final proposal, for a new junction at Riverway and Cambridge Road which would connect to the Enterprise Zone site. The EZ site was poorly accessed, and this included from Harlow Mill Station. Without the new junction the site would not benefit as greatly from the other infrastructure projects. The junction would also help to support the second Stort Crossing.

Alison Fox explained that the development of a local Institute of Technology would be held as a reserve project

Jane Greer said that the next stage would be to produce business cases for each of the proposals, which could demonstrate to the Government that they were deliverable.

RESOLVED that:

A     The following schemes were signed off as priority project for the TIP:

                             i)        Development of pilot Transport Hubs and improvements to the Town Centre sustainable transport/bus interchange.

                            ii)        Broad Walk improvements

                           iii)        Regeneration of Bush Fair and Staple Tye Neighbourhood Centres  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11b

RESOLVED that the Stakeholder Engagement Plan was signed off.

Anna Rowell gave a presentation on the Transport Strategy. The Strategy looked at the infrastructure needs and the encouragement of sustainable transport. The Vision of the Strategy was adaptable, healthy, sustainable and innovative travel.

Harlow faced a number of challenges, including the A414 which suffered from congestion and did not prioritise sustainable transport methods. There was a general reliance in Harlow on private car usage. Furthermore, whilst there was an extensive cycle network, some parts of the town were not served by it and parts had been poorly maintained. Bus services, whilst extensive, were seen as unreliable. Rail provision was in the north of the town.

The Strategy had three objectives, a modal shift so that 50 per cent of travel was by sustainable means, prioritising sustainable transport methods, and supporting a culture of sustainable transport. There were eight actions which would help to achieve these objectives.

She then gave an overview of the consultation process and the levels of engagement with the recent consultation. The consultation found that there was support for sustainable transport methods and the modal shift target. Further engagement was needed with those who were currently in education and those not currently working.

Action: Circulate the presentation for further comments.

Jane Greer said that the TIP must be submitted by 30 October to be considered as part of the second cohort. If this deadline was not possible, approval was sought to submit the TIP as part of third cohort.

John Keddie said that the aim should remain submission by 30 October, but if this became impossible the submission could be made for the third cohort.