Issue details

21/00118 - Active Travel Capital Funding Grant update (Tranche 2)

Proposed decision

Approval to proceed with the Canterbury Active Travel Scheme to next stages of design and construction.

 

Reason

To inform Cabinet Committee Members of Council secured funding for the Active Travel Fund from the Department for Transport and seek approval to proceed to the next stages of design and construction for the Canterbury Scheme.

 

Background

The Department for Transport have awarded Kent County Council £6.098m for five named active travel schemes across the County.  One of these schemes has proceeded to construction stage (Hythe).  The Canterbury Scheme is at the construction stage. Analysis of the remaining three schemes; Folkestone, Gravesend, and Thanet, is underway. Outcomes and proposals will be reported to Cabinet Committee in March.

 

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

Delivery of Active Travel Schemes will directly support priority actions under the demand and environment challenges:

·         Demand - Work with local communities to promote access to safe places to walk and cycle as an alternative to travelling by car

·         Environment -  Homes and communities need to be well-connected, both to convenient transport networks and active travel.  The schemes support the delivery of reduced congestion and improving infrastructure and accessibility.

 

Decision type: Key

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

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Notice of proposed decision first published: 23/12/2021

Decision due: Not before 21st Jan 2022 by Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

Lead member: Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

Lead director: Philip Lightowler

Department: Growth, Environment & Transport

Contact: Nikola Floodgate, Road Safety and Active Travel Group Manager Tel: 03000 416239 Email: nikola.floodgate@kent.gov.uk.

Consultees

The Active Travel programme has been regularly discussed at Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee. This latest key decision will be discussed by Members of the Cabinet Committee at their meeting on 18 January 2022.

Financial implications: The DfT grant of £6.098m will fully cover both the allowable capital and revenue costs associated with the scheme as per current concept designs; the schemes’ costs are scalable to suit the budget available. These costs are split as follows: • Revenue £1.220m • Capital £4.878 There are no revenue implications to KCC if elements of the schemes do not proceed. Schemes will be delivered within existing staffing levels

Legal implications: None

Equalities implications: An EQIA screening has been carried out as part of the outline design and second consultation work and will be regularly updated.

Decisions