To consider responses to the resolutions of General Overview & Scrutiny Committee (2 December 2014) following the call in of the decision of cabinet taken on 13 November, and confirm a preferred option for the South Wye Transport Package (SWTP) including the preferred route for a new link road from the A49 to the A465 (with a link to the B4349)

(d)          subject to planning consent being obtained authority is delegated to the Assistant Director Place Based Commissioning to continue detailed design of the scheme and develop proposals for land acquisition. A further report will be prepared for cabinet outlining land and property acquisition plans and draft orders in due course

Both of the recommendations of General Overview & Scrutiny Committee have been considered in turn. Detailed responses are provided within the report for consideration by cabinet.  These responses confirm that it remains appropriate to recommend that SC2 be selected as the preferred route for the SLR as part of a package of measures in the South Wye area.

A package of measures that would overcome transport problems within the South Wye area of Hereford has been developed and assessed. The SWTP has identified a number of possible improvements, covering different transportation modes, strategies and interventions, in accordance with the council’s Local Transport Plan strategy.

The assessment has concluded that in order to address the transport problems and meet the objectives set for the SWTP, a new SLR from the A49 to the A465 (with a link to B4349) is necessary, as part of an overall package of complementary measures.

The SWTP was considered by cabinet at its meeting on 13 November 2014.

Cabinet considered a detailed report on the subject.  This considered the consultation responses received and sought confirmation of a preferred package for a new link road from the A49 to the A465 (with a link to B4349)

Subsequent to the meeting, the decision (Ref: 2014-15.Cab.022.Key) was called in under the relevant provisions of the council’s constitution.

General Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on the 2 December 2014 and considered a comprehensive report which set out a detailed response to each point of the call in.

The project team attended the meeting and responded to all questions put by members of the committee. 

The General Overview & Scrutiny Committee resolved:

That the decision on the preferred route option be referred back to cabinet, with the following recommendations:

·         So that Cabinet can be advised by the Finance Director (and council’s Section 151 Officer) as to the robustness of the approach and actuality of the cost modelling and the consequent scoring given to all routes under the options appraisal process; and

·         As Grafton Wood is now designated Ancient Woodland that SC2 is re-examined, in the light of mitigations and extra costs required, as the preferred option.

These two points have been considered and this report provides detailed response to each to enable cabinet to consider these issues.  The appraisal of the options for the SWTP has followed national guidance and officers are satisfied that it is robust.  Option SC2 for the alignment of the SLR element scored the highest for all of the routes appraised.  This also received the highest levels of support based on feedback from public consultation.  Cabinet is invited to approve the above recommendations to select SC2 as the preferred route to be taken forward for planning and implementation as part of a complementary package of measures to address the transport problems in the South Wye area of Hereford. 

Following consideration of the responses to the resolutions of General Overview & Scrutiny Committee (2 December 2014) the alternative would be to not select SC2 as the preferred route for the Southern Link Road (SLR). The transport objectives of SWTP could not be achieved. Economic growth at the Hereford Enterprise Zone (HEZ) would be affected and congestion could not be reduced. This option would be inconsistent with the Local Transport Plan, Unitary Development Plan, emerging Local Development Framework and the Strategic Economic Plan for the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership.