1. The purpose of this technical note is to inform Members of a large number of consultations which are currently underway which relate to the Land Planning Policy team and principally transport policy.
2. Officers are working to respond to these consultations in line with approved Council strategies and policies. The nature of current consultations means that an officer response on behalf of the Council is considered acceptable as they do not pose any significant policy change which would have implications for the Council and its operations. Other Services are being involved in the response as required. These consultations are listed below and Elected Members are welcome to provide comments to officers should they wish.
3. Where a policy change proposed by the Scottish Government will have significant implications for the Council, these consultations will be brought to PNCA Committee for approval as is normal process.
4. The range of consultations, both currently live, previously responded to and anticipated, reflect changes to transport being brought forward by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, climate change and resulting from changes to transport use during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Consultations
5. Consultation Author: Scottish Government
For information on the consultation, visit the Transport Scotland website [opens in a new window].
Summary of consultation: The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 included new provisions for bus services, contained within Part 3. This part of the Act included sections on: the provision of services by local transport authorities, bus services improvement partnerships, local service franchises and information relating to services. These sections of the Act will only come into force on such day as the Scottish Ministers may by regulations appoint.Therefore this consultation will help shape these regulations and supporting guidance for implementing the new bus provisions within the Act.
Officer to provide any comments to: Christopher McGeough
Deadline: 22 September 2021
6. Consultation Author: SPT
Consultation Name: Draft SPT Bus Information Standards
Weblink: N/A
Summary of consultation: The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 placed a duty on Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), as designated ‘Local Transport Authority’, to set and deliver information standards for ‘local bus services’. In this regard, it is for the Local Transport Authority to determine which information should be made available to the public and to determine the way in which this information is to be made available in the “appropriate way”. This consultation therefore sets out a series of standards for how bus information should be shown at approximately 11,500 bus stops and 14,000 bus information display cabinets across the Strathclyde region.
Officer to provide any comments to: Christopher McGeough
Deadline: 27 August 2021
7. Consultation Author: ScotRail
Consultation Name: ScotRail's Fit for the Future Timetable
ScotRail website [opens in a new window].
Summary of consultation: ScotRail has reviewed the timetable across the Scottish rail network to ensure the service meets the needs of customers and the Scottish Government’s aims as Scotland recovers from the pandemic and in the future. ScotRail has based these changes on analysis and evidence of how the network was used prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to inform how the new May 2022 timetable will operate around 2,100 services per day. The consultation seeks views from individuals and stakeholders on the proposed changes.
Officer to provide any comments to: Christopher McGeough
Deadline: 17 September 2021
8. Consultation Author: Glasgow City Council
Consultation Name: Glasgow Low Emission Zone
Glasgow City Council website [opens in a new window].
Summary of consultation: Glasgow City Council introduced Scotland’s first Low Emission Zone in 2018 to address levels of harmful nitrogen dioxide in the city centre, predominantly caused by road traffic. The map indicating the boundary of the zone can be viewed on the City Council’s website. The Low Emission Zone is being introduced on a phased basis. The current Phase 1 applies to local bus services only, whereas Phase 2 will apply to all vehicles entering the zone area. This consultation therefore seeks views on the arrangements and proposals being considered by the City Council in implementing Phase 2 of the Low Emission Zone.
Officer to provide any comments to: Christopher McGeough
Deadline: 27 August 2021