Decision details

The Board considered a report from the Operational Director – Policy, Planning and Transportation, which sought approval for further feasibility work (Year 2) on the business case for the East Runcorn Connectivity (ERC) Scheme (this follows the Year 1 programme approved by the Board in June 2021).

The full ERC scheme comprised four elements:

§  A558 dualling from Pitts Heath Lane to Innovation Way;

§  A56 Major Maintenance – Keckwick Lane to M56 junction 11;

§  Potential loop road M56 junction 11 to A533; and

§  A suite of active and sustainable travel interventions.

Further details of the four elements were discussed in the report, and Appendix one presented the Year 2 outline of programme activity for the ERC for Members approval.  It was noted that a Year 2 proposal had been submitted to the Liverpool City Region (LCR) and Halton was now in receipt of an offer letter to support Year 2 with pre-development funding.

RESOLVED:  That the Executive Board

1)    approve the further development of the East Runcorn Connectivity business case;

2)    approve the Year 2 programme as set out in Appendix 1;

3)    approve the amendment of the Council’s Capital Programme to incorporate the Year 2 sum of £2.71m;

4)    approve the principle of commissioning Mott MacDonald as external consultant for the project via the Merseytravel Consultancy Framework to 2025; and

5)    delegate power to the Operational Director – Policy, Planning and Transportation, in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environment and Urban Renewal, to implement the Year 2 works on the East Runcorn Connectivity Scheme, within funding deadlines.