Issue details

The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation is requested to give approval to:

i) the feasibility design options for A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme to be developed and further explored to establish a preferred option which best meets the objectives for the scheme;

ii) to progress the preferred option through the next stages of development and delivery including any ancillary works such as drainage and environmental mitigation;

iii) to submit a planning application/development consent order for the scheme, following completion of the outline design process and public consultation;

iv) take all steps necessary to obtain and implement all Statutory Orders and approvals or consents required for the schemes;

v) all acts required to acquire the land and rights for the carrying out and completion of the A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme, including by means of a compulsory purchase order;

vi) to enter into Agreements to allow the County Council to design and deliver a scheme on Highways England and Network Rail (High Speed 1) infrastructure;

vii) to enter into Large Local Majors funding, developer funding and other such funding Agreements subject to the approval of the Corporate Director for Finance;

viii) to enter into construction contracts as necessary for the delivery of the scheme, subject to the approval of Strategic Commissioning;

(ix)   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 A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme in accordance with these recommendations.

Background

The A229 Blue Bell Hill is a strategically important link providing the shortest route between the M2 and M20 and connecting both the County town of Maidstone and the conurbation of Medway.

The scheme is needed to provide improvements to the junctions at either end of Blue Bell Hill, A229/M2 J3 and A229/M20 J6, as well as the length of Blue Bell Hill itself, to provide safer and more reliable journeys for strategic traffic, including following the opening of the Lower Thames Crossing, and additional capacity to support local growth.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

Two options are currently being progressed (options 1 and 2 from the public consultation) and will be further developed to establish a preferred option which best meets the objectives of the scheme. A third option was presented at public consultation but has since been dropped as a result of further design work which showed unacceptable impacts on the M20 and surrounding area.

How the proposed decision meets the challenges in the Interim Strategic Plan

·         Economic Challenge - Bring forward infrastructure to stimulate economic growth

The project brings central government funding into the county to invest in infrastructure, supporting the construction industry and supply chain and providing an opportunity for green infrastructure.

·         Demand Challenge - Understand and meet long-term demand for transport

The project considers the use of active travel, providing facilities and routes for walking and cycling and provides additional capacity to accommodate future growth.

·         Demand Challenge - Invest in effective prevention

The project provides opportunities for asset upgrades and maintenance as part of the scheme, provides improved quality assets and aims to minimise future maintenance liabilities.