Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director - Enterprise, Community and Resources, which sought approval to develop a transport scheme for East Runcorn Connectivity Corridor (ERRC).  

It was reported that initial pre-development funding was available from the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Combined Authority on a competitive basis to develop schemes such as the ERRC.  

The ERCC scheme was highly complex and it was estimated that delivery of all elements would be over a ten-year period.  Therefore, in advance of site works being procured, a considerable amount of planning and preparation needed to be undertaken to inform options and investigate construction details.  The purpose of this advanced pre-development work was to create a well designed, feasible, and cost effective scheme.

Members were advised that as part of the LCR's Transport Pipeline, the ERCC was an ambitions scheme that would support the delivery of new homes and employment opportunities by providing a resilient, sustainable transport corridor within East Runcorn.  The area was home to the Enterprise Zone, business parks and large housing sites and the scheme would significantly enhance the existing transport network in the Borough.  The proposed ERCC scheme consisted of four elements, these were outlined in the report, paragraph 3.2.  

RESOLVED:  That

1)    a transport scheme covering the East Runcorn connectivity Corridor be developed and added to the Council's Capital Programme (paragraphs 3.8 and 5.10);

2)    an initial programme (Year 1) covering technical investigations to inform options appraisal and scheme feasibility be approved (Appendix 1); 

3)    Mott MacDonald, an external consultant, be commissioned via Direct Award under the Warrington Consultation Framework to undertake the Year 1 programme (paragraph 3.10); and

4)    approval be delegated to the Operational Director - Policy, Planning and Transportation, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Environment and Urban Renewal, to advance the initial programme (Year 1) for the scheme.