Present:
Val Shawcross CBE – HATF (Chair)
Mark Frost (MFr) – HATF (Independent Technical Advisor)
Lisa Martin (LM) – HAL (Surface Access Strategy Lead)
Matthew Wooll (MW) – HAL (Route Development Lead)
Timothy Wells (TW) – HAL (Surface Access Travel and Policy Lead)
Paul Millin (PM) – Heathrow Strategic Planning Group (Chair, Transport Sub Group) / Surrey CC
Shamal Ratnayaka (SR) – Transport for London (Aviation Strategy Lead)
Mark Purchase (MP) – Confederation for Passenger Transport
Russell Roberts (RR) – LB Ealing
Sophie Wilmot (SW) – LB Hillingdon
David Knowles (DK) – LB Hillingdon
Andrew Clarke (AC) – Buckinghamshire Council
Kieran Flynn (KF) – LB Hounslow
1. Welcome and Introductions
The Chair provided opening remarks.
2. Bus Service Improvement Plan Updates
a. HAL recommendations informed by LA meetings
Set out how HAL can help (see slides). 5 key areas:
- Timetables – need to meet colleague shift times
- Routes – possible limited stop network?
- Ticketing – needs to be integrated and co-ordinated
- Marketing/branding – consistency across sub-region
- Bus priority – example locations in slides
b. Attendee Updates
Surrey CC – Progressing with Enhanced Partnership approach. Need to make the case for funding in Heathrow area to be difficult for Government to ignore.Buckinghamshire Council – Progressing with Enhanced Partnership approach – engaging with local operators. Bus priority may prove difficult to deliver but a strong message from Heathrow on the importance of bus priority and reliability would add momentum. HAL confirmed bus priority will be vital to achieving modal shift as reliable journeys are needed. HAL will be looking at what bus priority is required on the airport campus.
TfL – Bus demand continues to return slowly. Gaining public support for bus priority measures takes time and effort in outer London. TfL would be happy to share knowledge with other authorities regarding bus priority measures.
LB Hillingdon – awaiting outcome of TfL settlement as some of their funding comes from TfL.
CPT – Still awaiting T&Cs of recovery funding which will replace CBSSG. Advised that DfT are keen to encourage partnership working.
HATF – updated that they have not had a response from DfT to the letter sent to Baroness Vere. They will keep pushing for a response.
3. Sustainable Travel Zone Update
HAL updated on the work undertaken to date planning for the Sustainable Travel Zone (see slides).
Hoping to implement in 2022, subject to budget which HAL should have more clarity on in the Autumn.
HAL to monitor developments with micro-mobility but safety concerns remain requiring improved infrastructure on the perimeter roads.
TfL stated that some interventions will be relatively easy to deliver (e.g. earlier services) whereas others will be harder (e.g. free travel from Hatton Cross in Piccadilly Line due to revenue complications around zones). There is already a plan to extend operating hours on the Elizabeth Line but no timescales for this yet.
4. BSIPs / STZ Wrap Up
HSPG – argument for DfT funding is far stronger if a group of local authorities work in collaboration with HAL.
General agreement that a Heathrow sub-regional vision for buses would be a useful document. HAL would continue to work bi-laterally with local authorities and the vision document could provide detail and inspiration for local authority BSIPs. HAL will progress and an appropriate group will be convened to take this forward.
HATF has already made formal representation to DfT so are well placed to follow that up with further detail from the Heathrow sub-regional vision for buses document. This representation from HATF could be made on behalf of HAL and local authorities so would carry some significant weight.
5. A.O.B.
No items raised