Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report to agree actions to progress the A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme. The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure introduced the report. He mentioned that there could be some compulsory land purchase, but he hoped that would not be necessary. The A38 was part of the Major Roads Network with the scheme having a high benefit for cost ratio and support from the Department for Transport.

He noted that scheme F was not decided yet and further engagement would take place. The idea of a Bromsgrove Western By-pass was not supported by the Council as it would blight a large area of land and would cost a lot of money.

Other Cabinet Members and Members from outside the Cabinet supported the Enhancement Programme and were pleased that there would be further consultation over Scheme F. Other positive benefits were the encouragement of active travel and bringing more money and jobs to Worcestershire.

The Leader of the Labour Group asked if Scheme E was robust enough to cope with the increased traffic due to the new houses being built and suggested yellow boxes would be required. The Cabinet Member promised a written answer.

Cabinet:

(a)  noted the overall concept of the A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme and progress made to date;

(b)  supported the continued progress of the programme and notes the further work required to finalise the project deliverables, especially in terms of planning strategy, securing funding and land acquisitions;

(c)  approved the further development and submission of an Outline Business Case (OBC) to the Department of Transport (DfT) during 2021 including the schemes described within the report;

(d)  authorised the Strategic Director for Economy and Infrastructure to undertake public engagement regarding Scheme F if required following further review;

(e)  delegated authority to the Strategic Director of Economy and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, to finalise and award the contract(s) and other necessary agreements to deliver the A38 BREP proposals including the Priority Scheme;

(f)    approved the acquisition of land required to deliver the A38 BREP proposals, and delegates authority to the Strategic Director of Commercial and Change and the Strategic Director of Economy and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure to agree the extent of land and rights to be acquired;

(g)  should it not be possible to acquire all the land by negotiation, authorised the acquisition of necessary land and rights over land through the making of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) and authorises the Strategic Director of Commercial and Change and the Strategic Director of Economy and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, to finalise the details and make such a CPO including any compulsory acquisition of rights required for the programme, and authorised the Strategic Director of Commercial and Change to approve any Statement of Reasons in relation to the land, that must accompany any CPO submitted for the confirmation to the Secretary of State for Transport, and noted that this will be approved prior to making of the CPO;

(h)  supported the forward funding of the development of the Full Business Case (FBC) and developer s.106 contributions from the existing Economy and Infrastructure Capital programme; and

(i)    supported the ongoing stakeholder engagement and management exercises with Highways England, Environment Agency, DfT and other stakeholders as required.