To determine future actions regarding the Hereford Transport Package (HTP), which includes the Hereford bypass and associated active travel measures and South Wye Transport Package (SWTP), which includes the southern link road and local active travel measures comprising walking, cycling, bus and public realm improvements.

The original decision to pause and review the bypass and southern link road taken by the cabinet member for infrastructure and transport was taken on 9 August 2019. The decision was called in by General Scrutiny Committee. The decision was discussed at a meeting of the committee on 9 September 2019 and the committee came to the view that the decision should be referred back to the cabinet member to reconsider, giving regard to the matters set out in paragraph 34 below.

This report confirms the final decision having regard to the recommendations made by General Scrutiny Committee.

THAT, having regard to the recommendations made by General Scrutiny Committee on 9 September 2019:

(a)  a review of the South Wye Transport Package be undertaken to determine next steps,  and work on the Southern Link Road and active travel measures (the scope of which will be determined in a further report and be subject to the agreement of funders to draw down funding or provision being made within the capital programme) is continued whilst the review is undertaken;

(b)  a review of the bypass project to determine next steps be undertaken, and work on the Hereford Transport package active travel measures and the other bypass work as listed below is continued whilst the review is undertaken;

(c)  discussions continue with funding organisations to clarify the funding implications of a review and to seek to minimise the risk of loss of any secured funding;

(d)  consultation with parish councils, businesses and members of the public be included within the scope of the review;

(e)  the acting director for economy and place be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to scope the review work for both road schemes within a budget of £50k (Southern Link Road) and £70k (Hereford By-pass) to inform a further decision in this calendar year on the scope of the review to be undertaken; and

(f)   the acting director for economy and place be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to undertake the bypass work listed in recommendation (b) above within a budget envelope of £66,000 and to approve variance between the activities within a tolerance of £5,000.

1.      A number of possible options and the implications of each, were originally presented within the report to enable the preferred options to be determined. These options are as follows:

·      Option A - Pause all work on the Southern Link Road, undertake a review of the project and evidence base to determine next steps and continue work on SWTP active travel measures

·      Option B - Pause all work on the Hereford Bypass, undertake a review of the project and evidence base to determine next steps and continue work on HTP active travel measures

·      Option C - Stop all work on the South Wye Transport Package

·      Option D - Stop all work on the Hereford Transport Package

·      Option E - Continue the delivery of the South Wye Transport Package

·      Option F - Continue the delivery of the Hereford Transport Package

2.      The recommendations made by general scrutiny committee at their meeting on the 9 September 2019 have been considered and the constructive challenge made by the committee is welcomed.  The recommendations in this report take due regard of the comments made.