Issue - meetings

Following consideration by Cabinet in November 2020 this report concerning improvements to the Emscote Road Corridor in Warwick is presented to Council.

In introducing this report Councillor Jeff Clarke explained that the scheme had already been considered and endorsed by Cabinet. Councillor Clark then moved the motion. Councillor Pam Williams seconded the motion and reserved her right to speak.

The proposals for the Emscote Road were welcomed by a number of local members including Councillor Les Caborn, Councillor John Holland, Councillor Nicola Davies, Councillor Bill Gifford, Councillor Parminder Singh Birdi and Councillor Judy Falp. Comments included the welcoming of works to improve Portobello Bridge, the need to address issues with the canal bridge junction by Tescos, the need for a clear cycling strategy, the need to engage with local residents to minimise negative impacts, a desire to see a clear timeline for this scheme and the need to progress neighbouring projects.

Councillor Keith Kondakor commended the inclusion in the appendices of information detailing the benefits of cycling and walking.

Councillor Pam Williams (who seconded the motion) commended the project adding that improvements on the Emscote Road had been needed for many years.

Councillor Jeff Clarke closed the debate by thanking officers for their hard work. He emphasised the need to keep traffic flowing and agreed that it will be necessary to engage with local residents and businesses as the project proceeds. Finally, he stressed that Portobello Bridge had presented a series of challenges but considered that the proposed new deck will provide the solution to many issues.

Vote

A vote was held. The motion was agreed unanimously.

Resolved:

That Council

1)      

a)    Approves the allocation of £6.645m from the Capital Investment Fund to the Emscote Road Corridor Improvements Scheme;

b)    Adds the scheme to the capital programme at a total cost of £10.239m; and

c)    Agrees that the allocation from the Capital Investment Fund is reduced by the amount of any alternative external funding secured in the future.

2)       authorises the Strategic Director for Communities to invite tenders and award all necessary contracts, on terms and conditions considered acceptable to the Strategic Director for Resources, and secure all necessary consents and take all such other steps as the Strategic Director for Communities considers necessary to deliver the scheme.

This report sets out a series of highway improvements on the Emscote Road in Warwick.

Portfolio Holder – Councillor Jeff Clarke

Councillor Jeff Clarke explained the background to the report. Additional housing development in the area would lead to more traffic along the Emscote Road; a highway that already experienced severe congestion at peak hours. Of particular concern is the Portobello Bridge which requires widening and maintenance.

Councillor Bill Gifford welcomed the scheme adding that he was pleased that Sustrans had been involved in its development. He suggested that another highway improvement required is the junction with Warwick New Road and Princes Drive in Leamington.

Councillor Les Caborn commended the Portfolio Holder and staff for the quality of the scheme.

Councillor John Holland commended the scheme. He recognised that cycleway connectivity is good in Leamington Spa and in Warwick the Emscote Road scheme will need to link to other schemes that are in development. He suggested that the junction of the Emscote Road with Greville Road will require traffic lights. This view was echoed by Councillor Helen Adkins.

Councillor Parminder Singh Birdi commended the scheme and asked that schemes proposed for Warwick town centre be progressed.

Councillor Sarah Boad (Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) agreed with the scheme adding that it should enable more children to cycle in safety to school. She requested an indication of the completion date and was informed that this would be 2023.

Councillor Pam Williams agreed that the Greville Road junction requires improvement adding that there is land either side of the carriageway that could be used.

Councillor Jeff Clarke suggested that the proposed enhancements ease the issues at Greville Road. He added that the scheme before Cabinet is intended to link with the Warwick town centre schemes. Cycle groups will be consulted as part of further design work and it is expected that the placing of a new deck on Portobello Bridge will allow for a cycleway that is segregated from motor vehicles.

Resolved

That Cabinet:

1) Recommends that Council:

• Approves the allocation of £6.645m from the Capital Investment Fund to the Emscote Road Corridor Improvements Scheme;

• Adds the scheme to the capital programme at a total cost of £10.239m; and

• Agrees that the allocation from the Capital Investment Fund is reduced by the amount of any alternative external funding secured in the future.

2) Subject to Council approving recommendation 1), authorises the Strategic Director for Communities to invite tenders and award all necessary contracts, on terms acceptable to the Strategic Director for Resources, and secure all necessary consents and take all such other steps as the Strategic Director for Communities considers necessary to deliver the scheme.