Last year we completed a balanced programme of work across the Integrated Transport block. All the core indicators and over 80% of local indicators are considered to be on track to meet their target levels.
During the 2004/05 financial year Lancashire County Council has managed to draw on substantial additional resources for transport investment through contributions from developers, grants, on-street parking income and contributions from other bodies and local authorities. With these extra resources we have delivered a programme of £36.054 million. This was an increase of 23% over the block allocation of £29.209 million for 2004/05. Spending on all areas of the programme reached at least 90% of the programmed level.
Reducing road casualties is a high priority, and we run a programme of training courses specifically aimed at the different classes of road user - school children, motorcyclists, motorists and occupational drivers. Inappropriate speed contributes to accidents, so our Speed Awareness Course is designed to changes attitudes to speed. It is offered to drivers as an alternative to prosecution for speeding and has proved both popular and effective. We are proud that it has received the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award. The number of school children receiving our Right Start scheme continues to increase. This scheme too has been commended in the Prince Michael Awards.
On our roads, we carried out a £1 million programme of Local Safety Schemes prioritised to save road casualties. We also analysed the pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle movements at the Adelphi roundabout in the student quarter of Preston. After modelling the traffic movements, we redesigned the layout with pedestrian and cycling crossings. This has increased safety and optimised travel times for all road users, who have reported a high level of satisfaction with the result.
Where we have improved bus services, they have attracted increased patronage. Quality Bus routes in Lancaster, together with a modern bus station, have contributed to annual growth of 12% on the local network. To extend our network of Quality Bus routes, we have begun construction of further routes in Lancaster, Preston and East Lancashire. We run the X1 Clitheroe-Manchester service in partnership with the operator, and this has seen annual growth of 94%.
Where communities are beyond the reach of conventional services, we have developed flexible services. With the help of funding from Rural Bus Challenge and the Countryside Agency, we have established three new bus services in rural areas; Pendle Wayfarer, Rossendale County Rider and Kirkham Link. To promote social inclusion in Burnley, we have set up BEST - Burnley Employment Shuttle Transit - with funding from Urban Bus Challenge.
The Bus Industry Awards 2004 recognised our achievements with awards in three categories. Chorley Interchange won the Infrastructure Award, whilst Bowland Transit won both the Bus in the Countryside Award and the Buses for Pleasure Award.
The Southport-Manchester railway line has a busy commuter flow to Wigan, Bolton and Manchester. Working with the West of Lancashire Community Rail Partnership, we have made great improvements for the convenience and safety of passengers. We have completed the substantial refurbishment of the station at Parbold and constructed a new bus/rail interchange at Burscough Bridge which offers links to local destinations including Ormskirk and the District Hospital.
We implemented a substantial programme of cycling schemes in the year and began a programme to install automatic counters to monitor the growth of cycling. European funds contributed to new routes from areas of need to employment in the Economic Development Zone of Lancaster. We extended the National Cycle Network along the canal towpath from Preston to serve the new residential area of Cottam. Using DfT funds, we worked with Sustrans to build Links to School in Carnforth, Lancaster, Lytham, Preston and Barnoldswick. With further funding we could build more.
Pupils who walk, cycle or take the bus to school reduce the number of car journeys at peak periods. This reduces traffic congestion and improves air quality. Active travel also provides a valuable opportunity for children to take exercise. Funding from the DfES has enabled us to establish a team of dedicated School Travel Plan Advisers and to provide new facilities in schools. Travel Plans were successfully completed at 37 schools, including Lostock Hall High School where the installation of secure, covered cycle storage has doubled the number of cyclists from 45 to 90. The Fulwood to Broughton path provides a safe route parallel to the busy A6 for students travelling out to Broughton High School as well as commuters heading into Preston.
DPE, Decriminalised Parking Enforcement, was implemented in all districts of Lancashire in September 2004 under the title of ParkWise. It made an immediate impact and will continue to reduce obstruction on carriageways and footways and contribute to greater safety and improved accessibility for vulnerable road users, public transport and goods deliveries, as well as for motorists.
We have taken part in the DfT national pilot for Home Zones and have successfully completed our projects in Morecambe and Burnley. We have also carried out an innovative scheme to improve road safety outside primary schools, with flashing 20mph signs to warn drivers when pupils are crossing the road. In the heart of Bowland we have completed the first phase of the North Lancashire Bridleway. It is attracting riders, cyclists and walkers and bringing new custom to rural businesses.
We are always keen to learn of best practice and to share our experience with other authorities. We have produced and contributed to Good Practice Guides for designing mini roundabouts and puffin crossings and for integrating bicycle and rail journeys. We have been hosts for the Eurocities Mobility Forum and have put on a series of events to mark our awards as Transport Authority of the Year in 2004 and Beacon Council for Supporting the Rural Economy.
We have entered the final year of the Local Transport Plan with another busy programme clearly targeted at our transport and accessibility objectives.