Agenda item

The Chairman welcomed, Graeme Johnstone, Lead Officer, Passenger Transport, Scottish Borders Council who was present at the meeting to provide Members with an update on the Local Access and Transport Strategy (LATS).    Mr Johnstone summarised the previous work undertaken and advised that the existing Strategy developed in 2008 was now out of date.  Given that access and transport were key issues across the Scottish Border, the Strategy provided strategic direction and was very important for the area.  The Strategy was used as a bidding document and linked with the Scottish Government National Strategy, Regional Transport Strategy (SESTRAN) and the Local Development Plan.   Mr Johnstone went on to detail some of the main issues to be considered within the Strategy document, including the route to markets; public transport; walking, cycling and horse riding; road maintenance; forestry; road safety; parking; and low carbon levels.  To put this into context, Mr Johnstone advised that within the Scottish Borders, there were approximately 1,900 miles of roads and 1,250 bridges requiring maintenance and that one fifth of the area was covered by forestry.  In respect of the Teviot and Liddesdale area, local communities were affected by forestry transportation and it was therefore important to receive their views on how they considered this should be managed.  Mr Johnstone highlighted that parking issues had taken on a higher profile since the cessation of the Traffic Warden Service provided by Police Scotland and the measures in place to assist in achieving low carbon levels included electric vehicle charging points.  Mr Johnstone concluded his presentation by advising that he was actively working on the extension of the Borders Railway to Hawick and Carlisle.   Members were advised that the consultation period would end on 23 October 2015.  An electronic questionnaire was available for completion and the consultation document had been publicised in libraries, contact centres, Council offices, and via presentations at Area Forum meetings.   All responses to the consultation would be considered during the development of the main Strategy document.  The Strategy would then be presented to Committee prior to finalisation by the end of 2016.   Responses to the online questionnaire could be submitted at www.scotborders.gov.uk/haveyoursay; by email to localplan@scotborders.gov.uk or by post to the Planning Policy and Access, Scottish Borders Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells TD6 0SA.   Councillor Smith advised that all Community Councils had received a copy of the draft Strategy and it was important to receive as much feedback as possible.  It was not necessary for completion of all questions but it was important for them to highlight issues most relevant to their community.   A question was raised in relation to the availability of electric vehicle charging points, Mr Johnstone advised that he would circulate, via the Chairman, the locations and charging strengths of all electric charging points in the Scottish Borders.  The Forum commended Mr Johnstone for the comprehensive consultation process and

The Chairman thanked him for the informative presentation.

DECISION

AGREED to request the Lead Officer, Passenger Transport, circulate to the Chairman the locations and strengths of electric vehicle charging points in the Scottish Borders.