Issue - meetings

This report summarises the process and response of the public consultation for the development of the A46 Link Road scheme and the work completed to date in respect of the feasibility design and preparation of the Outline Business Case submission to the Department for Transport.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Wallace Redford

In the absence of Councillor Wallace Redford (Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning) Councillor Peter Butlin (Deputy Leader, Finance and Property) introduced the published report which succinctly set out the process and response of the public consultation for the development of the A46 Link Road scheme.  Councillor Butlin reflected on the background to the work and noted that the Outline Business Case, which was part of the Department for Transport (DfT) funding application process, was currently being produced to confirm if a scheme to provide a new transport corridor was viable.

A number of Members noted the environmental implications set out in the report together with the anticipated impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on travel habits. In response to these comments, Councillor Butlin advised that the Outline Business Case would be drafted in terms of the post-Covid reality and he indicated that the Chairman of the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be invited to consider the Outline Business Case at an upcoming meeting.   Councillor Butlin also offered clarity that the scheme was fully externally funded with no match/top-up funding expected from the County Council. However, should there ultimately be a shortfall in funding then this could be a call on the County Council’s resources.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.        Notes the feedback from the A46 Strategic Link Road consultation; and

2.        Acknowledges that, as set out in the recommendations of Cabinet on 12 September 2019, a further report will be brought to set out the preferred scope of the new transport corridor.