Agenda item

The Committee received a report outlining the travel arrangements associated with the programme of International Comparative Study overseas site visits. These visits were part of the programme of congestion related works agreed by the Committee in November 2016.

The Committee was advised that three cities would be recommended for City officers to visit. The cities would be chosen based on their best practice schemes/projects, associated with managing freight and congestion, and the visits would involve viewing the operation of the schemes, their impact, and meeting with those directly involved in the project for further insight.

The Committee noted that the process of delivering ambitious and successful best practice schemes typically involves addressing a variety of obstacles such as technical and financial matters. Therefore an understanding the political challenges and impacts was also essential. As such, alongside technical and senior City officers attending the site visits, it was considered that the attendance of the Planning & Transportation Committee Chairman (or delegated Member) would be beneficial to both the committee and to the study.

Members welcomed the report and supported the visits which would help inform ways of addressing the serious congestion issues in the City, and it was further suggested that consultants should be invited to take part in the programme.

RESOLVED - to agree to Member travel associated with the International Comparative Study Site Visits.