Issue - meetings

(To receive a report from the Executive Director - Place, which seeks approval to pursue the Spalding Western Relief Road Highway Scheme as described in the Report.  Approval is also sought for the scheme as a whole, including the route, and for the delivery of the Scheme in sections as described in the Report.  Finally the Report seeks approval for the acquisition of land by agreement and to progress the delivery of section 5 as the first section of the phased delivery including the letting of a construction contract for the works)

That the Executive:-

(1)          Approves the carrying out of the Spalding Western Relief Road Scheme ("the Scheme")

(2)          Approves the route shown on the plan entitled "SWRR Sections 2-4 Route Option 4 Executive Meeting 7.1.20" as the preferred route for the Scheme and the land shown on the said plan as land comprised in the site of a highway as proposed to be constructed by the Council as highway authority

(3)          Approves the delivery of the Scheme in five sections as described in the Delivery Strategy attached at Appendix B to this Report

(4)          Approves in principle the procurement and award of a contract for section 5 of the Scheme

(5)          Approves the acquisition by agreement of any land or properties and any third party interests in land and properties as required for the Scheme on terms determined by the Executive Director – Place in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT.

(6)          Authorises the Executive Director – Place to agree the final form and approve the entering into of all agreements and contracts necessary to secure the construction and completion of section 5 of the Scheme to include (but without limitation):

(i)    any agreement or contract related to funding for section 5 of the Scheme

(ii)   any contract awarded pursuant to paragraph 4; and

(iii) any contract or agreement made with statutory undertakers, Network Rail or the like in connection with the Scheme.

The Executive gave consideration to a report by the Executive Director – Place, which sought approval to pursue the Spalding Western Relief Road Highway Scheme, as detailed in the report presented.

The Senior Project Leader (Major Schemes) provided a presentation, which advised of the background behind the Spalding Western Relief Road (SWRR).  It was highlighted that the SWRR was a strategic infrastructure project essential to delivering the growth of Spalding and to address the strategic transport connectivity around the town as well as address transport problems within Spalding.

Details of the recommended Route Option 3 – Central and the Alternative Route Option 4 – Trojan Wood, were highlighted to the Executive, as were priority rankings for both routes.  It was highlighted that both routes 3 and 4 had scored closely and had different benefits and drawbacks, but both were feasible in meeting SWRR objectives.  The Executive noted that Route Option 4 represented a safe and viable solution in providing a route which met the overall scheme objectives. 

The Executive was advised that the Trojan Wood route diverted outside the safeguarded corridor in its central sections, which meant that it was less attractive in planning terms than if it was contained wholly within the safeguarded corridor.  It was highlighted that this did not mean that the Trojan Wood route would not gain planning permission, and that there would be at least one review of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan before planning permission was sought on the central sections.

It was highlighted that the cost of Route Option 4 exceeded that of Route 3 by £2.2m, which represented a difference in the total estimated cost of the scheme as a whole of 2.18%.  It was highlighted further that Developer contributions were expected to make a significant contribution to the costs of the Scheme.

The Executive was advised that residential properties were affected on both routes; and that without detailed design work, the precise impact of Route Option 4 was not known.  The presentation highlighted that for Route Option 3 up to nine properties would need to be demolished, or would be directly affected as a consequence of them being in the line of the route. 

It was noted that for Route Option 4, no residential properties would be required to be demolished and no residential properties were affected by the line of the new road itself, but realignment of the existing Bourne Road would impact some frontages.  It was highlighted as with all schemes reasonable steps would be taken at detailed design stage to minimise the impact of the new road on adjacent properties. 

The Executive were reminded of the comments made by the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee at their meeting on 9 December 2019.  These were detailed on page 32 of the report.  The Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee overall supported the Spalding Western Relief Road Scheme but did not support the proposed 'Route Option 3' and formally resolved 'Route Option 4' to the Executive, with an alignment through  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50