To approve the development and delivery of a walking and cycling improvement scheme on the A465 Aylestone Hill following the allocation of £120k of Active Travel Fund from the Department for Transport (DfT).

That:

(a)  The A465 Aylestone Hill Walking and Cycling improvement scheme is developed and delivered by the end of March 2022, within the DfT Active Travel Grant funding allocation of £120,000 : and

(b)  The Director for Economy and Place be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to progress the scheme in consultation with the S151 officer.

1.            Not to progress with the scheme using this grant funding. This is not recommended as the grant was allocated for this scheme and if not delivered the funding will be lost. This would reduce investment in the city’s active travel network which is not consistent with the council’s corporate policy to encourage active travel and support the local economy and growth.

2.            To allocate additional council capital funding to increase the budget to the original bid value of £160k or beyond. This is not recommended as it is considered that the objectives of this scheme can be delivered within the grant funding awarded and this allows other capital funds to be utilised for further active travel schemes. However this will be assessed following the completion of the detailed design to ascertain if the objectives of the scheme can be adequately met within the funding available.