Issue - meetings

1.    Mr Whiting (Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste) introduced the report that set out the Fastrack Full Network scheme. The Bean Road Tunnel was one of the core infrastructure projects for the Ebbsfleet Garden City and would help to deliver a high-quality Bus Rapid Transit system for new and existing communities within Gravesham and Dartford.

2.    Officers responded to Members comments and questions as follows:

(a)  Mrs Cooper (Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport) agreed to respond to Members queries regarding the Oyster Card scheme and whether this would be recognised by the Fastrack Network.

(b)  Mrs Cooper informed Members that the work would be delivered by Kent County Council through forward funding from Bluewater and some investment from Ebbsfleet Development Corporation. Repayment of the proposed forward funding from Bluewater would be funded from the Fastrack revenue surplus (Fare box).

3.    RESOLVED that the proposed decisions (19/00051) to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste to:

(a)  give approval to the progress of the reference design as shown on Drawing No. B2350500-JAC-HA-XX-DR-D-0001 Rev P01 for development control and land charge disclosures,

(b)  give approval to progress all statutory approvals or consents required for the scheme including transfer of land and rights,

(c)   give approval to carry out consultation on the scheme,

(d)  give approval to underwrite and enter into forward funding and investment funding agreement(s) subject to the approval of the Infrastructure Commissioning Board,

(e)  give approval to enter into a design & build construction contract as necessary for the delivery of the scheme subject to the approval of the Infrastructure Commissioning Board to the recommended procurement strategy; and

(f)    give approval for the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment & Transport, under the Officer Scheme of Delegations, to take further or other decisions as may be appropriate to deliver the Fastrack Full Network – Bean Road Tunnel scheme in accordance with these recommendations,

be endorsed.