Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation & Environment (PTE/17/10) seeking approval to the scheme and estinmate for the completion of the link road to the old A30,attached.

(Councillor Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of of Planning, Transportation & Environment (PTE/17/10) seeking scheme and estimate approval for the completion of the Tithebarn Link Road to the old A30.  

The scheme now proposed would see the completion of the Link Road, facilitating approved  housing development at Tithebarn Green and Mosshayne in East Devon and mitigating the impact of  traffic at the M5 Junction 29/A30, providing an alternative route for traffic travelling between Exeter and developments in the Growth Point area. The remaining section of road to be constructed was an extension of the existing road incorporating a revised drainage solution. 

The scheme would also provide for  new pedestrian/cycle bridge over the M5 which, in combination with high quality pedestrian/cycle facilities on the proposed link road would  encourage short distance/local trips to be made sustainably.

Members noted that the delivery of these schemes had been made possible by successfully securing £4,037,000 of grant from Highways England’s Growth and Housing Fund programme, complementing developer contributions.

The scheme in its entirety had previously been included in the infrastructure delivery plan, linked to the East Devon Local Plan scrutinised through the Examination in Public process. It has also been subject to formal consultation through the planning process where statutory consultees and public alike had been able to express their views. The plans had been approved as part of the outline planning permission for the Tithebarn Green development (12/1291/MOUT).  Local residents and businesses affected by the prohibition of motor vehicles on Blackhorse Lane, in particular, were satisfied with the proposals. 

The Head of Service’s Report also incorporated an Impact Assessment relating to the possible impacts of the proposal, which had been circulated previously for the attention of Members at this meeting in order that as part of its determination of the next steps in the process the Cabinet might have full regard to the responsibilities placed upon it to exercise its Public Sector Equality Duty, under s149 of the Equality Act 2010, where relevant. While that Assessment acknowledged that the environmental aspects of the proposals would be fully assessed through the separate Environmental Impact Assessment process the Head of Service was of the view that the scheme would make a positive impact through improving access for employment, residential and education and to recreational destinations,  easing congestion and reducing queuing and journey times for all users with enhanced, safer, pedestrian and cycle facilities. No unmanageable impacts had been identified.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability, carbon impact, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

It was MOVED by Councillor Leadbetter, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED

(a) that approval be given to the Tithebarn Link Road Phase 2b scheme and Tithebarn Pedestrian/Cycle Bridge (shown on drawings A11008/72 and B.M.(5064)/100-T1) at an estimated cost of £5,200,000 subject to the Tithebarn Link Road Phase 2a scheme budget being increased from £2,228,000 to £2,460,000 to reflect the increased cost of  additional drainage requirements, given a total revised estimate of £7,660,000;

(b) that approval be given to any Traffic Regulation Orders required being advertised and, if no objections are received, being made and sealed;

(c) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy, Growth and Cabinet Liaison for Exeter and the local County Councillor(s), be authorised to approve minor amendments to the scheme design.

[NB: The Impact Assessment referred to above may be viewed at:  http://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/].