Agenda item

Public Question Time

Questions must be submitted in writing to Democratic Services, democratic.services@npt.gov.uk no later than noon two working days prior to the meeting.  Questions must relate to items on the agenda.  Questions will be dealt with in a 10 minute period.

Minutes:

There had been one question submitted to Council.

 

Mr Dewitt was welcomed and asked the following questions to Council:

 

1.    In some recent years, Neath Port Talbot Council has not submitted bids to the active travel fund at all and more recently when it has, it has been unsuccessful. I would hope to see some new strategies to improve this but it is unclear what these are. NPT is now unquestionably the worst performing local authority in this area and I would like to see some specific goals that can start the process of improving.

2. Other local authorities have tried to build significant signature projects and these are getting funding, Monmouth is building a bridge over the Wye, Newport built a huge pedestrian and cycleway over a train line connecting people in ways they could not before. Swansea has several signature pieces of infrastructure connecting people in ways other than via cars. Where is NPTs ambition to do the same, why can't we add some significant visible infrastructure providing a pedestrian and cycle front door into our destinations. It can and should be bigger than this as it is in our neighbouring local authorities.

 

Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Transport and Connectivity thanked Mr Dewitt for his questions and responded to the Committee. Since 2014, Neath Port Talbot have submitted applications to the Welsh Government for Active Travel improvements for over £13,000,000 and have been successful in securing over £6,000,000. Applications for funding have been submitted every year since 2014.

 

With regards to unsuccessful bids, the Active Travel Fund is always oversubscribed by bids from over 22 Welsh Local Authorities.

 

Section 5 in the Active Travel Delivery Plan details proposed improvements, the plan contains 29 actions and the subject to funding would see the delivery of improvements in a number of areas, including Neath Town Centre, Aberafan, Port Talbot, Cimla to Neath Town Centre, Neath Canal to Briton Ferry Bridge. Within Neath Port Talbot, there are 400 future routes, these proposed improvements will be subject to funding. This will improve 35% of the future routes on the Neath Port Talbot future Active Travel Network Map.

 

Mr Dewitt was thanked for the questions, and joining Members and Officers at the Cabinet meeting.