Issue details

Lorry Park Network (Phase 1)

To determine the preferred site for the delivery of the first lorry park (Phase 1) of a network of lorry parks across Kent, based on the detailed evidence to be provided and once determined approve:

a) the work to undertake land acquisition, including commencing the Compulsory Purchase Order process;

b) the undertaking of a public consultation exercise on the preferred site later in 2014, and;

c) Commencement of project development work and submission of a planning application.

Financial Implications:  £10 million grant funding is being sought from the Single Local Growth fund which in combination with the £12.7 million reduced rate Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) borrowing which has already been secured, will be sufficient to deliver the first of potentially 3 new lorry parks across Kent.  The project has already secured Project Advisory Group (PAG)’s support to spend capital budget on the project development work. The principle that the grant funding will be spent first and any gap in funding will be filled using PWLB borrowing has also been endorsed. Initial work on the business case has been carried out and depending on the operating model, the lorry park could provide a future income to KCC over a number of years. 
Legal Implications: Legal advice will be sought throughout the development of this project to ensure we are complying with the necessary UK and EU regulations in delivering a commercial lorry park.
Equality Implications:  An Equality Impact Assessment has been carried out for this project and will be attached with the relevant Cabinet Committee report.

The matter is included in the budget book 2014-15 at page 32 row reference 4.

This project directly supports the strategic aims of KCC. 
It ‘helps the Kent economy to grow’: it will encourage inward investment in to East Kent, improve business productivity by alleviating congestion and unreliability (avoiding a loss of £1m/day during Operation Stack) and reduce wastage of public money associated with managing Operation Stack and dealing with inappropriate overnight lorry parking.  Kent’s Business Advisory Board states the impact of Operation Stack on their businesses is substantially negative and therefore it is hoped that the improvements described will also help to tackle the perception that Kent is not open for business, currently an unwanted misconception that occurs as a result of the national publicity that Operation Stack receives.
It ‘tackles disadvantage’: by reducing accidents, improving quality of life for Kent’s residents, reducing illegal and unsuitable lorry parking (including overnight parking) in Kent, improving drivers’ dignity and helping them to follow the EU Drivers Hours Directive, improving the perceptual image of East Kent from a tourism perspective and reducing the amount of public resources diverted to the management of Operation Stack.

 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;

Decision status: For Determination

Notice of proposed decision first published: 05/05/2014

Explanation of anticipated restriction:
Some information may be exempt from publication owing to the commercial sensitivity of financial information of relevant parties.

In the event it was not necessary to exempt information; all information to the Cabinet Committee and Cabinet Member was published on line.

Department: Growth, Environment & Transport

Contact: Ann Carruthers, Head of Strategic Planning and Policy 01622 221615 Email: ann.carruthers@kent.gov.uk.

Consultees

The project has been considered by the Environment, Highways and Waste Cabinet Committee in January 2014 as part of the update of Growth without Gridlock, KCC’s 20 year transport delivery plan, itself forming part of the ‘Unlocking the Potential’ economic strategy. No project specific comments were received.

The proposed decision will be discussed in detail at the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee scheduled for 22nd July 2014.
Further consultation is planned as part of the project development and is expected to be held in the autumn of 2014 with a second, more detailed, consultation anticipated around September 2015.
Electoral divisions within the districts of Ashford, Shepway and Dover are particularly affected by this proposal.

 

Financial implications: Lead officer: Ann Carruthers, Transport Strategy Delivery Manager ann.carruthers@kent.gov.uk Tel:01622 221615 Lead Director: Paul Crick Director of Environment, Planning and Enforcement paul.crick@kent.gov.uk

Legal implications: 14/00055

Equalities implications: Relevant financial criteria exceeded.

Decisions

Agenda items