Issue - meetings

To receive a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport and the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport and to consider and endorse, or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member on the proposed decision seeking approval to take the A28/A291 Sturry Link Road highway improvement scheme through the next stages of development and delivery

Mary Gillett, Major Projects Planning Manager, introduced the report which asked the committee to endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, on taking the A81/A291 Sturry Link Road highway improvement scheme through the next stages of development. She brought the committee’s attention to the map included with the report and gave the following information;

      i.        That development of the A28/A291 Sturry Link Road would be critical in supporting new housing developments in the area that are included in Canterbury City Council’s emerging District Local Plan.

    ii.        That work had been started to secure funding for this project.

   iii.        That Kent County Council has been allocated part   funding for this project from the Local Growth Fund, subject to a transport business case.

   iv.        A Compulsory Purchase Order may be required to acquire some of the land required should voluntary negotiation not be successful.

Mr Marsh recommended, and Mr Baldock seconded, that the proposed record of decision and recommendation be amended to read;

“As Cabinet Member for Environment & Transport, I agree, subject to being invited to give further specific authorities as necessary and with prior reversion to the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on matters of significance, to:”

And with the inclusion of the word firm in part v as follows;

“v)        give approval for Legal Services to enter into firm land and funding Agreements associated with the developments contributing to the Link Road;”

In response to concerns raised and comments made by members Ms Gillett confirmed the following;

      i.        That potential bus routes down the new Link Road would be looked into.

    ii.        That this infrastructure is a priority to support the new development.

   iii.        That all of these items are included in the recommendation at this time to to support the deliverability statement that is is required for the transport business case to secure the Local Growth Fund.

   iv.        That she would revert to the Committee on issues of significance during the development of the project.

It was RESOLVED that including the addition of Mr Marsh’s recommendation  taking the A28/A291 Sturry Link Road highway improvement scheme through the next stages of development be endorsed.