1.7 Foundations for Long Term Improvements
We have successfully implemented the LTP1 programmes across a broad transport front. We have formed new partnerships to integrate transport into wider programmes. In LTP2 we will extend our role and introduce new ideas too. We will use the partnerships we have established in LTP1 to integrate transport within the programmes of other service providers and within new developments.
Lancashire County Council was awarded excellent status in the Continuous Performance Assessment in 2004 and was praised for its clear leadership, as well as its work in championing local needs and working well with partnership groups. The Locality Agenda allows stakeholders to make a greater contribution to our policies and programmes. Lancashire Local Committees are held in all twelve Districts and Local Partnership Officers provide direct links with District Councils. Parish and Town Councils participate through Parish Partnerships. We display the Local Transport Plan on our website and publish details in our Roadlife magazine and Vision newspaper which is delivered to every household in Lancashire. The Life in Lancashire surveys reflect the opinions of citizens and we consult locally on specific schemes.
Local Area Agreements represent a radical new approach to improve co-ordination between central government and local authorities and their partners. Working through Local Strategic Partnerships and the introduction of LAAs is the first step in the implementation of the Government’s 10 year vision for the future of local government. Accessibility, safety and air quality can make a contribution to each of the individual blocks and have been actively considered in drawing up the Lancashire LAA which commenced in April 2006. We will also contribute to future programmes .
We are on target to meet the national targets for casualty reduction by 2010. We will continue and improve our existing programmes including;
- Local Safety Schemes
- Training courses for all road users
- Speed Enforcement, and
- Campaigns.
The Lancashire Speed Awareness Course has been accepted by the DfT as a national model for use by other authorities. We will introduce a corresponding RiDE training course to improve the riding skills of motorcyclists. We provide training courses for a wide range of road users, including young pedestrians and cyclists, and will look for ways to tackle new problems as they emerge.
We will deliver the Accessibility Strategy through our existing and new partnerships.
We will improve public transport infrastructure. We will continue our programme of new bus stations and interchanges in urban centres and market towns. At the same time we will extend our network of Quality Bus routes to serve busy corridors and popular destinations.
In 2004 we implemented the findings of our comprehensive Best Value Review of Transport Procurement, establishing a new transport provider located in the Lancashire County Engineering Services and a separate co-ordinated commissioning unit, the Passenger Transport Unit. This is undertaking a review of local bus contracts, a joint review of Home to School Transport and is working closely on transport procurement with the North West Centre for Excellence of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Lancashire established the original PTi 2000 Traveline call centre with the number 0870 6082608 which has since been adopted nationally. We continue to operate the call centre and also provide timetable and real time information by mobile phone, the Internet and real time displays at bus stops and stations, hospitals and shopping centres.
We will continue to seek external funding to complete the National Cycle Network in Lancashire and to build a network of local links to schools, employment and other useful destinations.
We will introduce multi-user paths under the Rights of Way Improvement Plan to increase access to the countryside in Lancashire for all our residents and visitors. We will promote new opportunities for walking on Access Land created by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
We will carry out personalised travel planning in Lancaster and Preston to take full advantage of the transport infrastructure that is now in place.
We will install new technology for Urban Traffic Management and Control and reduce congestion and delay in more urban centres. Our Traffic Manager will work with ParkWise to keep highways free from obstruction and maintain traffic flows. We will manage works on the highway, improve our parking management and seek extra powers to tackle traffic offences.
We will introduce new procedures to maintain our roads and bridges with greater efficiency. Planned maintenance offers better value for money than work required to remedy an emergency. We will develop our Transport Asset Management Plan to provide the best possible value for money from the available resources.
| Organisation | Principal Partners | Objective |
| National and Regional Strategy | ||
| GONW Department for Transport DEFRA Department for Communities and Local Government Regional Assembly |
NWDA County Councils Metropolitan Borough Councils Passenger Transport Authorities Unitary Authorities |
Regional Planning Strategy |
| Lancashire Strategy | ||
| Lancashire Partnership Local Strategic Partnerships |
Lancashire Local Committees Local Partnership Officers District Councils Parish Councils |
Ambition Lancashire Vision for 2025 Local Community Plans Local Development Frameworks Local Area Agreements |
| Safety and Accessibility | ||
| Accessibility Partnerships | NHS Hospital Trusts Primary Care Trusts Job Centre Plus District LSPs |
Take accessibility into account in the delivery of essential services, including access to healthcare services for patients, staff and visitors |
| Passenger Transport Information PTi Traveline 0870 608 2 608 |
Unitary Authorities Bus operators |
Deliver timetable and real time information on public transport through a call centre, mobile phones, the Internet and real time displays |
| Transport Procurement Best Value Review |
Service providers Transport operators Transport users Staff side |
Integrate the procurement of School, Social Services and Special Education Needs transport through new Passenger Transport
Unit Provide transport through Lancashire County Engineering Services |
| Travel Plans | Employers Employment Areas Schools Sustrans |
Promote sustainable transport Reduce traffic congestion, Increase opportunities for everyday exercise |
| West of Lancashire Community Rail Partnership | Network Rail Train operators Merseytravel and Merseyrail District Councils |
Promote rail use on; Southport-Wigan line Ormskirk-Preston line Wigan-Kirkby line |
| Safer Travel Unit | Schools Bus and taxi operators Lancashire Constabulary Accrington and Rossendale College |
Improve safety and security for passengers using and waiting for buses and especially for students on trips to school |
| Speed Awareness Course RiDES Motorcycle Training Course |
Department for Transport Motorcycle Casualty Reduction Forum Lancashire Constabulary Lancashire Magistrates |
Educate drivers and riders Improve driving skills Increase safety for all road users |
| ParkWise | District Councils | Manage traffic and on-street parking |
| Wider Issues | ||
| Lancashire Economic Partnership | University of Central Lancashire District Councils Unitary Authorities Local businesses |
Sub-regional economic strategy Central Lancashire City Region Development Programme Lancashire Rural Delivery Pathfinder |
| Lancashire Rural Partnership | DEFRA, GONW, NWDA English Nature Lancashire Rural Futures Lancashire RoWIP |
Improve access to services Support community and business development, especially recreation and rural tourism |
| Lancashire Environmental Partnership | Environment Agency Strategic Health Authority Wildlife Trust Local businesses Community groups |
Promote environmental sustainability |
| Lancashire Partnership against Crime Community Safety Partnerships |
Lancashire Constabulary Fire and Rescue Service Lancashire Partnership Youth Offending Team District Councils |
Safer Lancashire Alley gating to reduce crime Lighting improvements to improve personal security and reduce crime |
| Elevate East Lancashire Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder |
Department for Communities and Local Government NWDA Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council District Councils CABE |
Create sustainable communities Establish sustainable economy – develop East Lancashire Rapid Transit Enhance landscape and historic character Build community cohesion |
| REMADE in Lancashire | NWDA Lancashire Economic Partnership Groundwork |
Reclamation of derelict land – including conversion of former railway tracks to multi-user routes |
| Joint Advisory Committees for Forest of Bowland AONB Arnside and Silverdale AONB West Pennine Moors Landscape Area |
Environment Agency English Nature Cumbria County Council North Yorkshire County Council District Councils RSPB United Utilities Land owners |
Rural employment opportunities including sustainable tourism – walking, cycling and riding and RoWIP Management schemes to reduce impact of traffic – Quiet Lanes and Greenways Access to services – Community Resource Centres linked to rural bus schemes |