Lead Member – Councillor Steve Davenport – Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise  TO FOLLOW

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

i.      To approve the submission of the completed OBC to DfT by 22nd December 2017.

ii.    To approve delegation to submit the finalised OBC to the Director of Place & Enterprise, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport.

iii.   Note that a further report will be brought back to Cabinet and Council as appropriate, dependent on the award of any further project funding through DfT, as part of the Spring Statement announcements 2018.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport presented a report from the Director of Place and Enterprise that provided an update on the work undertaken in preparation of an Outline Business Case [OBC] for submission under the Department for Transport’s [DfT] Large Local Majors [LLM] funding programme. He added that Shrewsbury North West Relief Road [NWRR] had been in the public domain for many years and the funding application was being submitted via and supported by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership [LEP].  He drew particular attention to paragraph 9 within the report that detailed the specific objectives of the scheme.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People, speaking in his capacity as a local Member, commented on the use of ‘rat runs’ through villages and lanes, the impact of which should not be underestimated.  He stressed the environmental impact of no action would only exacerbate the situation in future.  Another Member added that Government’s support for this project was vital and he commented that traffic within the town of Shrewsbury itself was also an issue that would need to be considered in future.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport stated that Government’s decision on the application should be known by Spring 2018.  The Leader commented that debate on the detail was unnecessary until such time as the Government’s decision was known after which extensive work and further consultation would be undertaken.  Members noted that in principle the public were in favour of the scheme at a ratio of approximately 2:1. It was further understood that the scheme would assist those heading beyond Shrewsbury itself and would assist road users travelling to, from and via the town.

RESOLVED:

i.      That the submission of the completed OBC to DfT by 22nd December 2017 be approved.

ii.    That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Place & Enterprise, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport to submit the finalised OBC.

iii.   That a further report will be brought back to Cabinet and Council as appropriate, dependent on the award of any further project funding through DfT, as part of the Spring Statement announcements 2018.