Decision details

Proposed decision:

The Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport is asked to give approval to proceed to construction of this scheme, subject to land negotiations with the Ministry of Defence being agreed upon and;

specifically, to:

i)        give approval to progress all statutory approvals or consents required for the scheme;

ii)        give approval to progress with the necessary land acquisitions required to deliver the scheme – likely to be a deed of dedication rather than a land transfer;

iii)       give approval to enter into construction contracts as necessary for the delivery of the scheme

I also agree to delegate authority to Corporate Director of GET, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance & Procurement, to enter into relevant legal agreements and take other actions necessary to implement this decision.

·    Reason: To seek approval from Cabinet Members of the Council to proceed to construction for phase 5 of the Folkestone to Lydd cycle facility.

·    Background: The Department for Transport have awarded Kent County Council £6.098m for five named active travel schemes across the County of which £1,220,000 is for Phase 5 of the Folkestone to Lydd cycle facility known as the Cinque Ports cycle path which aims to provide a continuous walking and cycling route. 

·    To date the cycle path has been constructed between Folkestone and Palmarsh using Local Growth Fund.

·     How the proposed decision meets the priority actions of Setting the Course: Kent County Council’s Interim Strategic Plan (December 2020). The proposal meets the priority action to consider the appropriate use of active travel schemes (walking and cycling) within the development of the new Local Transport Plan.

As Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, I agree to proceed to construction for phases 5A and 5B pending satisfactory land agreements.