Issue - meetings

To seek approval for the submission of a Full Business Case (FBC) to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) for City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funding and subject to approval, to accept and invest the funding to deliver the A37/A4018 Workpackage 3 improvements.  To seek approval to accept and invest an increased level of funding to deliver the A4018 corridor improvement project.

That the Policy Committee for Transport and Connectivity:

1.     Approved the submission of a Full Business Case to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA)

2.     Authorised the Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Chair of the Transport & Connectivity Committee and Section 151 officer, subject to approval of the Full Business Case by the MCA to:

a. Take all steps required to accept and invest the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funding amount as set out in this report and appendices,

b. Procure all contracts (goods, services and works and including any over £500K) necessary to deliver the Workpackage 3,

c. Extend the value of the existing Highways and Associated Works framework if there is insufficient spend remaining to cover Workpackage 3 which may be procured before its expiry on 30th September 2025,

d. Award contracts and invest the funding to deliver the works as set out in the Full Business Case up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.

3. Approved an increase in the budget envelope for the A4018 Corridor Improvements Project from £4.38m to £6.05m.

The Committee considered a report which sought approval for the submission of a Full Business Case to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority for City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funding and subject to approval, to accept and invest the funding to deliver the A37/A4018 Workpackage 3 improvements.

It was noted that this was a key decision report, as the proposed decision involved spend over £500k and impacting two or more wards.

The Head of City Transport presented the report which included some exempt information at appendix E.

In response to questions, officers clarified the following:

·       The parking shortfall figure quoted represented the parking income currently generated by parking spaces to be removed.  Some cars may move to alternative car parks meaning income would be retained by the Authority.  The potential income benefit as people transfer to other modes of active travel is being explored by officers.

·       Drainage improvement works at the bottom of Whiteladies Road would be completed before the works within this report start on site.

·       With reference to a public forum statement submitted about University Road, officers would check the measurements and consider narrower planters if it would assist the width of shared use space.

·       The main benefits are walking, cycling and public transport benefits.  The increase in benefit to cost ratio from 6.4 to 7 considers the whole impact of the scheme with different aspects of the scheme contribute separately.

·       Due to the way funding is provided in a prescribed window, works would commence in the Autumn along with other schemes within the City Centre.  A number of measures have been put in place to manage the plans for all projects and coordinate as far as possible, including regionally.  This included public transport elements.

·       In 2021 there had been concern regarding the Park Street element of the scheme.  Detail of changes following re-engagement in 2024 were outlined in Appendix A2.  Meetings had taken place with larger and smaller venues and those venues now planned to make use of the new public spaces as art and event space.

Members of the Committee made the following comments:

·       In reference to Appendix O, there was concern regarding the negative impact of displaced traffic including forecast extra vehicles and impact on air quality on Park Row (with the impact also by the BRI hospital and access for ambulances) as well as Anchor Road.

·       There would be a positive improvement to the Triangle which will open up a great amount of space and positive public realm in an area heavily used by students.

·       It was suggested that the EQIA should cover more of Park Row to the BRI before it goes in the Full Business Case to WECA.  Officers agreed to continue to update the EQIA as a living document. 

·       Officers clarified that the flow of traffic along Park Road would be affected by closures of Colston Street and combined effect on the capacity of St James Barton roundabout.

·       The alteration of the road system would lead to drivers likely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9