Chamber Transport Group – 22nd April 2016

Hosted by – Addleshaw Goddard, Leeds

Chair

Nigel Foster, Fore Consulting

Attendees

Paul Hirst / Addleshaw Goddard
Sara Gilmore / Addleshaw Goddard
Samantha Smith / AHR
Javed Hussain / Arup
Kevin Bell / Bond Dickinson
Dave Alexander / First Group
Gary Frost / Grontmij
Richard Marshall / Highways England
Mike Piet / Leeds Civic Trust
Stephen Hind / Network Rail
Emma Cottam / Pinsent Masons
Andrew Osborn / PWC
Maxine Joicey / Virgin Trains East Coast
Neal Smith / Virgin Trains East Coast
Ian Williams / West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce
Mike Holmes / WSP Group
Dave Haskins / WYCA
Nolan Tucker / WYG
Katy Raife (Minutes) / West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

1.  Welcome and Introductions – Nigel Foster

NF welcomed the group and facilitated introductions for the new members.

2.  Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising – Nigel Foster

See Clean Air Zone update in AOB.

3.  Virgin East Coast – Update – Maxine Joicey

Please find the full presentation attached.

Key points:

-  What can the group do to help the bid for track access?

The Chamber is already supportive of this however the Office of Rail and Road are still accepting letters.

Action Point – Contact Neal Smith for further details – email (All)

-  Are later trains from London Kings Cross to Leeds and the return journey planned?

Virgin are looking at an enhanced timetable across the franchise and will continue to update the group.

Action Point – the Chamber would be happy to promote this to members, NS to provide IW with updates.

4.  Highways England – Update – Richard Marshall, Highways England

Please find the full presentation attached.

Key points:

The group commended the new level of engagement seen from Highways England and encouraged this to continue.

Action Point – IW to liaise with RM to arrange a follow up presentation to the group at a later meeting.

Highways England are working closely with Transport for the North and are keen to ensure there is a combined voice pushing the same message.

Highways England are working closely with Leeds City Council, key projects include the M621, Leeds Southbank and the City Centre. It was also highlighted that City Centre work will take into account plans for the HS2 station as part of a multi-modal approach.

Highways England highlighted that it will be undertaking a small number of detailed planning projects looking at further improving key strategic routes in Yorkshire the Humber including upgrading the A1 between the M18 and Darrington. IW mentioned that the Chamber would be supportive of the upgrade but asked for clarification as to whether the upgrade would include the A1/M62 junction which gets heavily congested at peak travel times or whether it would stop short at Darrington?

Action Point – RM to provide IW with an update

Action Point – KR to circulate Route Strategies Approach document – please click here

5.  WYCA – Update – Dave Haskins, WYCA

Please find the full document attached.

Key points raised:

The group again highlighted the success of the Meet the Buyer even in late 2015

Action Point – DH to update the group on similar events in the future.

NF highlighted the HS2 supply chain event taking place on 18th May

Action Point – KR to circulate details – information can be found here

6.  Railway Station Development Initiative – Stephen Hind, Network Rail

This initiative has been introduced to look at how funding through commercial estate and station redevelopment can help to finance station enhancements.

Part of the initiative is focused on engagement with the Homes & Community agency, as part of this engagement Network Rail have appointed a Head of Housing.

A second work stream is looking at managed stations, engaging with City Councils and Chambers to work towards finished solutions. In Leeds the HS2 station and Southbank redevelopment offer examples of this engagement. York Central was also cited as an example where an affordable solution has been found but a challenging 6 months still lies ahead.

The group agreed that although these working groups show great progress, Leeds City Station needs an interim solution. Network Rail are now looking at HS2 strategy, the Southbank strategy and plans for Leeds City Station as part of a modular process creating a fully integrated plan to present to the private sector and government.

7.  Agreed Actions – All

As detailed throughout minutes

8.  Any other business – All

The Chamber met with Leeds City Council regarding the Clean Air Zone. Levels have been identified as above the designated limits in some areas. Although as a city we are disputing the readings it is still important that we put a plan in place to improve air quality throughout the city rather than just focusing on one particular area or road. Neil Evans has agreed to keep the group informed regarding the discussions with DEFRA on any Clean Air Zone for Leeds.

9.  Date of next meeting

Friday 15th July

Friday 7th October

Venues are TBC in Leeds City Centre, all meetings are 8 – 10am.