Issue - meetings

Decision:

That the priority list of highway and transport schemes likely to be critical to Local Plan delivery as described in the report submitted to the Executive, be approved.

Reason:

The approval of the five priority schemes would enable officers to set up regular discussions with Surrey County Council (SCC) and Highways England (HE) on transport infrastructure priorities so that progress can be made in terms of the delivery of the schemes as well as modelling the impact of the schemes in any future transport review likely to be undertaken by SCC.  If SCC and HE agree to these priorities it will also assist in terms of lobbying central Government for funding towards these schemes as well as assuring that S106 contributions are made, when appropriate, as planning applications come forward, or that the Council can justify imposing a Grampian condition restricting the amount of development that can come forward in the absence of a particular scheme.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

1)    Not to support the five priorities;

2)    Wait until further transport modelling has been undertaken to demonstrate with a higher degree of evidence and therefore confidence what the key priorities are.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

None.

The Executive noted that the report on this matter had initially been submitted to the 20 July meeting and, at the request of the Lead Councillor for Regeneration, was referred to the Strategy and Resources Executive Advisory Board (EAB) for consideration at its meeting on 9 August.  

The EAB supported the five priority highway and transport schemes critical to the delivery of the Local Plan in principle, and their recommendations and comments were set out in the report now before the Executive. The Lead Councillor’s response to those comments was set out in the Supplementary Information Sheet.

The Lead Councillor for Regeneration explained that the schemes listed in the report were of equal importance to the Council but had been prioritised because of a positive impact on housing delivery and in response to a request from Surrey County Council to agree priorities so that county funding could be focused. It was acknowledged that infrastructure interventions required a holistic approach to highways and transport.  This required a plan to address the existing problems, accommodate any future growth and to recognise changes in society, travel patterns, congestion, pollution and health. It was not considered necessary to include an additional priority to the list with regard to cycling infrastructure improvements as this would be included in any planning consent and there were modal shift commitments within wider transport policy.

The Lead Councillor reflected that even with the Council’s best efforts the pace of progress relating to those strategic sites in the Local Plan was ultimately dependent upon the owners of those sites. In addition, funding opportunities from Government sources to deliver infrastructure projects were currently scarce and potentially housing delivery would not be matched with the required infrastructure. A forthcoming review of the Local Plan would provide the opportunity to revisit those issues.

The Executive therefore

RESOLVED:  That the priority list of highway and transport schemes likely to be critical to Local Plan delivery as described in the report submitted to the Executive, be approved.

Reason:

The approval of the five priority schemes would enable officers to set up regular discussions with Surrey County Council (SCC) and Highways England (HE) on transport infrastructure priorities so that progress can be made in terms of the delivery of the schemes as well as modelling the impact of the schemes in any future transport review likely to be undertaken by SCC.  If SCC and HE agree to these priorities it will also assist in terms of lobbying central Government for funding towards these schemes as well as assuring that S106 contributions are made, when appropriate, as planning applications come forward, or that the Council can justify imposing a Grampian condition restricting the amount of development that can come forward in the absence of a particular scheme.

Having received a report regarding a priority list of highway and transport schemes critical to the delivery of the Guildford Borough Local Plan at its meeting held on 20 July 2021, the Executive deferred consideration of the report to its next meeting, taking place on 24 August 2021, to enable the matter to be considered by the Strategy and Resources Executive Advisory Board (EAB) in the interim.

Accordingly, the EAB considered the report at its meeting held on 9 August 2021.  As part of his presentation of the report, the Transport Planner (Consultant) highlighted the following five highway and transport schemes, in no particular order of importance, that were likely to be critical priorities to enable the Local Plan to maintain its housing trajectory and remain up to date.  The EAB was invited to support the five priority schemes in principle.

·             SRN2 - M25 Junction 10/A3 Wisley Interchange ‘Road Investment Strategy’ scheme.

·             NR2 and NR3 - New railway stations at Guildford West (Park Barn) and Guildford East (Merrow).

·             SMC 1-6 - Sustainable Movement Corridor.

·             SRN7 and SRN8 - A3 northbound on and off slip roads at A247 Clandon Road (Burnt Common).

·             LRN19 – New road bridge and footbridge scheme to enable level crossing closure on A323 Guildford Road adjacent to Ash railway station.

The following points arose from related questions, comments and discussion:

1.           Although there was a long list of infrastructure projects attached to the Local Plan, many of which would be delivered by developers, the five priority schemes had been selected as they had been identified as requiring intervention at a high level by the Council and its strategic partners to facilitate implementation.

2.           In terms of the proposed new railway stations at Guildford West and Guildford East, a councillor expressed the view that the Guildford West station should be prioritised as it would serve more commuters, being in the vicinity of any new development at Blackwell Farm, the Royal Surrey County Hospital and the Guildford Business Park, thereby offering greater viability and value for money than the Guildford East station.  In response, the Strategic Services Director advised that both stations were important for different reasons and Guildford East station formed part of planning policy for the related site and the developer was obliged to make land available for the station and contribute towards its cost.  Guildford West station was included in the Capital Programme and the Council would shortly be invited to determine whether it wished to release further funding to enable the scheme to progress to the next GRIP stage.

3.           Concerns were expressed in relation to the level of engagement with highway partners and a perceived lack of project modelling, valid cost estimates, availability of funding, other infrastructure to support the schemes and related impacts on local road networks.  It was confirmed that the Council was holding discussions with representatives of Surrey County Council (SCC) as the local highway authority, Highways England (HE), the Department of Transport and Network Rail to progress the schemes.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22

Decision:

That consideration of this matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Executive to be held on 24 August 2021.

Reason for Recommendation:

To enable the matter to be considered by the Strategy and Resources EAB on 9 August 2021.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

To consider the matter at this meeting.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

None

A report was submitted to the Executive setting out five highway and transport schemes highlighted by the Council’s Corporate Programmes Team as likely to be critical to the Local Plan maintaining its housing trajectory.

The Lead Councillor, following consultation with the Leader and other Executive colleagues requested that consideration of the report be deferred to the next meeting of the Executive on 24 August 2021 to enable the report to be considered by the Strategy and Resources EAB possibly on 9 August.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of this matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Executive to be held on 24 August 2021.

Reason for Recommendation:

To enable the matter to be considered by the Strategy and Resources EAB on 9 August 2021.