Agenda item

An update on progress and information as to whether a mobility hub in Ripon is feasible.

A report was submitted in the name of the Corporate Director of Environment which provided an update on the work undertaken to explore whether a mobility hub in Ripon would be a feasible option.

 

Keisha Moore, Senior Transport Planning Officer presented the report and raised the following points:

 

·       The feasibility study formed the first stage of the business case process, assessing whether there was a clear need for intervention and identifying the potential benefits.

·       The current transport challenges in Ripon, particularly issues relating to congestion, active travel provision, connectivity, and the constraints posed by limited rail access via Thirsk.

·       The study demonstrated that a mobility hub could significantly improve sustainable travel choices through improved active travel provision and better public transport options. It would also contribute to wider Council objectives, including reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and supporting economic growth.

·       The work undertaken was more detailed than is typically required at this early stage, providing a strong foundation should Members wish to progress to the next phase of development.

·       In summary, the feasibility study indicated that a Ripon Mobility Hub is a credible and deliverable option in principle, offering clear positive outcomes for connectivity, sustainability, and the economic vitality of the city.

·       Table 1 outlined the four options summarised as follows:

 

1.     Do nothing

2.     Option A – do minimum

3.     Option B – do medium

4.     Option C – do maximum

 

Members noted the contents of the report and raised the following points:

 

·       Members welcomed the progress made on the feasibility study for a Ripon Mobility Hub.

·       Concern was expressed that local Division Members had not been consulted on the four options set out in Table 1 prior to the report’s publication. In response, Members were reassured that there would be opportunities to feed into the options as they move into the next stage of development.

·       Several Members felt that a hybrid of options B and C would be most effective, with reduced emphasis on the satellite hubs and greater focus on the development of the bus station and alleviating pressure on car parking. This included exploring alternative parking locations for empty coaches so that the existing coach park could be utilised for car parking.

·       Members acknowledged the cost constraints identified in the report and recognised that a hybrid option would require additional resources, so any chosen approach needed to remain feasible.

·       The potential contribution of the Clotherholme development in funding transport improvements, which could support a hybrid of options B and C was highlighted, noting that this had not been referenced in the report. In response, it was clarified that this update was high level and that while recent housing development had been considered within the wider context, it had not been included in this particular report to the Area Committee.

·       A query was raised regarding whether improvements to additional bus routes, beyond Ripon to Thirsk, would be explored. The Senior Transport Planning Officer confirmed that all major routes were recognised, but as only the Harrogate and Thirsk routes provide onward rail connections, these remained the focus for connectivity improvements.

·       One Member emphasised the importance of developing a bus route to Clotherholme.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Simon Myers and seconded by Councillor Andrew Williams that when developing the full report officers engage with local Members and note that the Area Committee favours in principle the redevelopment of the Ripon bus station and that the report looks at possible sources of funding for this including the recent major housing developments in Ripon.

 

Resolved

 

       i.         That Members of the Area Committee note the progress made on the Ripon Mobility Hub feasibility study, including the positive outcomes of the assessment and the identification of Option B as the most balanced and deliverable approach.

 

     ii.         That Members acknowledge the next steps required to finalise the Strategic Outline Case and progress towards the Outline Business Case, including confirming the preferred delivery and operational model for the scheme.

 

    iii.         An additional recommendation was added by the Committee that when developing the full report officers engage with local Members and note that the Area Committee favours in principle the redevelopment of the Ripon bus station and that the report looks at possible sources of funding for this including the recent major housing developments in Ripon.

 

Councillor Andrew Williams left the meeting at 11:45 am