Nottinghamshire Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme

Closed 21 Mar 2022

Opened 1 Mar 2022

Contact

NottinghamshireEP@nottscc.gov.uk

Overview

As you may be aware Nottinghamshire County Council (the Council) gave approval to proceed with the development of an Enhanced Partnership on 15 June 2021 and duly published the formal notice as required and set out in section 138F of the Transport Act 2000 (as amended).

Operators of Local Bus Services in Nottinghamshire have already been consulted, and whilst one objection was tabled this did not meet the requirements of the regulations and has therefore not been considered. However, due to a pause in the process to consider recent government correspondence on Enhanced Partnership,   the only change that has been made to the document is the implementation date which will now be the 1 June 2022.

Therefore, we satisfy the requirements of section 138F(1)(c) of the Transport Act 2000, allowing the Enhanced Partnership to progress to this stage of consultation.

This notice satisfies the requirements set out in section 138F(1)(d) of the Transport Act 2000. It explains that the Council has prepared an Enhanced Partnership Plan (the Plan) and accompanying Enhanced Partnership Scheme (the Scheme) covering the geographical area of Nottinghamshire as defined in the Plan .

What is proposed?

As required under the legislation, the Council is required to consult Stakeholders on the proposal to make the Plan and Scheme that will deliver the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) so that stakeholders views on the Plan and Scheme can be considered before it is finalised.

Please read on to get a chance to comment on the Plan and Scheme.

The Plan and Scheme is the legal framework to deliver the BSIP. This will allow the Council and Operators to work together to deliver an improved bus network and bus infrastructure to meet Nottinghamshire residents’ priorities and meet the following BSIP objectives:

  1. Customer-informed approach to bus service provision to provide a comprehensive, simple network that is easy to understand and use.
  2. Provide robust measures and infrastructure to support bus efficiency, reliability and improve journey times by bus, making the bus an attractive proposition compared to the car.
  3. Provide a network which is affordable and offers good value for money.
  4. Develop a network which is integrated and offers more opportunities to travel for more residents of Nottinghamshire to access work, education, health, and leisure destinations.
  5. Provide a network and associated infrastructure which is attractive, comfortable, safe, and accessible to all.
  6. Work with partners to provide a coordinated approach to bus service delivery.
  7. Grow patronage and improve passenger satisfaction.
  8. Contribute to the council and government’s ambitions for decarbonisation and improving local air quality.
  9. Contribute towards the governments ‘Levelling up‘ agenda.

The Initial EP Scheme involves:

  • Implementing a Euro IV standard for buses across Nottingham by 1 April 2025.
  • Memorialising current bus infrastructure.
  • Retaining the operator standards and passenger facilities from the Mansfield AQPS and extending them over Nottinghamshire
  • A new passenger charter.

 If “made” the Plan and Scheme will run for a minimum of five years from 1 June 2022.

The Enhanced Partnership Scheme sets out the obligations of both the Council and Operators of services, which are not Exempted Service as described in the Scheme document.   

A copy of the Plan and Scheme is on the Council’s website

Who is being consulted?

A copy of this notice has been sent to:

  • All operators of local bus services who would be affected by these plans
  • Organisations representing local passengers
  • Other Local Authorities affected by the proposals
  • The Traffic Commissioner
  • The Chief Officer of Police
  • Transport Focus
  • The Competition and Markets Authority
  • Organisations invited to attend the Nottinghamshire Stakeholder Reference Group

Through the Council’s website, the wider public have opportunity to comment, although they were directly engaged in the preparation of the Bus Service Improvement Plan, which this Enhanced Partnership seeks to progress.