Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/17) outlining the proposed allocation of the Transport Capital Programme 2019/20 and seeking approval, attached.

(Councillors Connett, Hannaford and Greenslade attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/17) seeking approval to the proposed allocation of the Transport Capital Programme 2019/2020, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Integrated Transport Block (ITB) settlement from Government was set at around £3.6 million, a significant reduction from the levels in 2009/2010 of just over £10 million.  As part of the Outturn Report, Cabinet approval would be sought to carry forward from 2018/19, an estimated £0.558 million, which if approved, would mean funding of £4.159m for 2019/20.

The Council continued to demonstrate a strong track record of working with partners to secure significant levels of external funding and listed the achievements since 2014, for example, the Growth Deal (GD) (agreements for over £22 million) which had funded projects such as A379 Bridge Road, A361 Portmore junction, A39 Roundswell bridge crossing schemes and A38 Deep Lane junction, to name but a few.

The Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) which the Council had been successful with its Forward Fund bid for £55 million of grant funding, to deliver key infrastructure that would support major development to the South West of Exeter.

The National Productivity Investment Funded (NPIF) 2019/20 was a two-year NPIF funded capital programme to deliver highway infrastructure improvements at Sherford and to the East of Exeter growth area and £5.0 million was secured towards an £8.0 million project to deliver the main street link road connecting Sherford new community with the A38 at the Deep Lane junction. Also, to the East of Exeter NPIF grant funding of £4.6 million towards a bid totalling £7.2 million for the Exeter Eastern Growth Package.

The Report also outlined successes from the Growth & Housing Fund (GHF), including the Tithebarn Link Road to the east of Exeter being completed and opened, the Safer Roads Fund where a bid totalling £4m was successful leading to safety improvements on the A3121 (South Hams) and A3123 (North Devon), both schemes now part of the 2019/20 and 2020/21 capital programmes.

The Major Road Network (MRN) Fund was a new programme that would see substantial new investment available for road enhancement schemes from 2020/21 on local authority roads classified under the Major Road Network.  Under the Large Local Majors Fund (LLM) programme the Council was progressing proposals for the first phase of the A361/A39 North Devon Link Road improvements.

The Report also outlined the activities of the South West Peninsula Shadow Sub-National Transport Body (Peninsula Transport SSTB) and for the Council MRN network would include business case submissions for the A379 corridor (Exeter) bridge renewal works, A382 corridor Newton Abbot and A39/A361 Barnstable Roundswell to Bishops Tawton scheme. For the next tranche of the LLM, a proposed submission for major improvements to the M5 Junction 28 at Cullompton.

Cabinet noted that the focus of the 2019/20 programme was primarily to support economic growth alongside Local Plans, in Appendix I of the Report.

Under the Countywide and Major programme, work was continuing in 2019/20 to support the major highway projects and transport infrastructure schemes across the County, for example A361/A39 North Devon Link Road (outline business case approval, planning permission), A382 Widening Southern Phase 1 scheme (procurement and construction approvals),

construction of the NPIF Sherford Main street in 2019/20 and scheme approvals and advanced preparation works for a new Devon Metro new railway station at Marsh Barton.

The Countywide and Majors programme incorporated support for improving public transport and community transport provision across Devon including new and improved bus waiting facilities, help for smaller bus operators and real time information systems. The programme further supported the development of strategic cycle routes, for example the Valley Multi Use Trail between Moretonhampstead and Bovey Tracey and proposals for the Teign Estuary Multi Use Trail.

A key focus for 2019/20 was enabling development growth to the east and to the south west of Exeter with schemes such as Mosshayne Cranbrook, Science Park and Skypark, including improvements to the A30 Moor Lane Roundabout, East of Exeter strategic cycle routes, Park and Change site at the Science Park and expansion of the electric bicycle hire network.

In relation to Market and Coastal Towns and Rural Devon, there was a programme of new or improved pedestrian crossing facilities at identified areas, planning application for the Barnstaple A361 Larkbear to Seven Brethren Cycle bridge and supporting new and improved cycle parking facilities in the market towns, rural communities and for schools and employers. 

2019/20 was also the final year of a three-year £1.5m Access Fund, a revenue funded programme aimed at promoting and encouraging further growth in the levels of walking and cycling across the County, for example the Newton Abbot East-West Cycle route.

The package of schemes for 2019/20 in the Report totalled £30.445 million, including significant funding of £26.741 million from external sources including grants and developer contributions. 

The Cabinet noted that an Environmental Impact Assessment was carried out for the overall strategy contained in the Devon and Torbay Local Transport plan 2011-2026 and the environmental impacts of individual schemes would be detailed in Cabinet or Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) Reports where relevant.

An Impact Assessment was completed for the Transport Capital Programme in 2014 and detailed individual Impact Assessments would be carried out on larger schemes where required.  The programme had been assessed and all necessary safeguards or actions taken to safeguard the Council's position in terms of risk management. 

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 Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes, and

RESOLVED

(a) that budgets be allocated to the Local Transport Plan (LTP) schemes, as set out in Appendix I, and other major transport schemes and funding sources be noted;

(b) that approval be given to enhance the 2019/20 capital programme by £ 0.556 million from developer contributions and £0.52 million external grants; and

(c) that amendments to the Integrated Block allocations are delegated to the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Development and Waste and the Cabinet Member for Highway Management.

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