Issue - meetings

Executive Board considered the attached report.

RECOMMENDED: That Council approve a variation to the Capital Programme to cover the costs, as outlined in paragraph 5.1 of the report

          Council considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which presented design options for a new link road between the Mersey Gateway Bridge and West Bank.

          RESOLVED: That the variation to the Capital Programme to cover the costs, as outlined in section 5.1 of the report, be approved.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which presented design options for a new link road between the Mersey Gateway Bridge and West Bank.

The Board was advised that the Mersey Gateway Regeneration Plan Plus, approved by the Board in March 2017, identified a new link road between the Mersey Gateway Bridge and West Bank Impact Area as a priority ‘connectivity’ infrastructure project. It was reported that construction of this new link road would contribute to regeneration and economic development objectives and provide a more resilient and connected transport network.

A feasibility study was commissioned in August 2017 to undertake initial design, traffic modelling and costing work of the potential scheme. A series of options had been considered for the configuration of the new link road and associated junction, and were summarised in Appendix B, attached to the report. A further technical review process lead to some of the options being rejected, as detailed in the report. Therefore, it was noted that three options remained. The timetable for the delivery of the programme was set out in the report, with the next step to formally engage with the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board and Merseylink to agree the acceptability of Option 5b, in principle.

Reason(s) for Decision

Delivery of the Widnes Loops to West Bank Link Road would help maximise the regeneration, economic and transport benefits of the Mersey Gateway Project.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

These were outlined at paragraph 3.5 to 3.7 of the report.

Implementation Date

April 2018.

RESOLVED: That

1)    the development of recommended Option 5b, as outlined in the report, be agreed;

2)    the formal engagement of the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board and Merseylink to enable delivery of the Widnes Loops to West Bank Link Road, be approved;

3)    Council be recommended to approve a variation to the capital programme to cover the costs, as outlined in paragraph 5.1 of the report;

4)    the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources be authorised, in conjunction with the Portfolio holders for Physical Environment and for Transportation, to take the necessary actions to ensure value for money through the appropriate procurement processes; and

5)    the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, be authorised, in consultation with the portfolio holders for Physical Environment and for Transportation, to take any other actions necessary to enable timely delivery of the new link road.