Issue - meetings

Thickthorn Roundabout A452/A46

Meeting: 01/07/2021 - County Council (Item 4)

4 A452/A46 Developer Improvement Works pdf icon PDF 225 KB

Council is asked to approve the use of Capital Investment Funding to forward fund road improvements on the A452/A46 interchange to enable the proposed development in the area.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Wallace Redford introduced this report and summarised its key elements explaining that with new developments it is desirable to construct supporting infrastructure early on. At Thickthorn in Kenilworth for this to happen it would be necessary for the council to forward fund the project and reclaim the money through Section 106.

 

Councillor Martin Watson seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.

 

Amendment

 

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers tabled the following amendment.

 

“Add at the end of the first paragraph as part of the recommendation: 

 

Work to safely connect designated cycle paths from the East of Kenilworth spine road to the Thickthorn roundabout and K2L and improving cycle connections at the St. John’s gyratory will be prioritised with this section 106 funding. The funding will not be used for works relating only to the possible dualling of the A452 to Bericote”.

 

In supporting the amendment Councillor Jonathan Chilvers stated that very often with infrastructure developments cycling and walking are almost forgotten being left until the end. They should be given priority as set out in the local transport plan. He added that there remains design work to be undertaken around Thickthorn. Connections need to be prioritised at the St John’s petrol station and the link down the spine road to the A46. The report, he stated, refers to future proofing the junction against future traffic growth. This, he suggested, is inappropriate, it being preferable to reduce the amount of road traffic through cycling and walking.

 

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Will Roberts who reserved the right to speak.

 

Councillor Sarah Boad supported the Green Group amendment expressing her concern over the proposed dualling of the A452 to Bericote. She added that people need to get into the habit of cycling and walking.

 

Councillor John Holland suggested that the published report is untrue as it refers to improvements at the junction. The scheme as proposed would bring no improvements. Dualling at Bericote will place more traffic onto the A46 and this will, in turn, have an impact on Warwick town centre. He requested a delay to the scheme to allow for more consideration to be given to it. It was also noted that there remain in the area a number of schemes that are as yet unfinished. It would be better to finish these than commence another one, he concluded.

 

Councillor Peter Butlin informed council that there is no requirement to improve on the current position at the roundabout. There is, however, a requirement to mitigate against any negative impacts the associated development might bring. Councillor Peter Butlin stated that if rates of cycling were trebled this would amount to 6% of journeys. In addition, people are reverting to their cars and are reluctant to use public transport. Council was assured by Councillor Peter Butlin that based on previous precedents the money invested up front would be secure.

 

Councillor Bill Gifford supported the amendment emphasising the need to address the climate emergency through modal shift.

 

Councillor Sarah Feeney noted references  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4