Agenda item

To provide an update to West of England Combined Authority Committee on key transport schemes and to secure approval from Committee on key decisions and associated funding (where applicable) related to projects within the West of England Combined Authority’s Transport Infrastructure programme.

1           That the award of £7.775m to fund enhanced rail services on the Severn Beach and Westbury lines for 3 years, drawing down the £4m allocated for programme risk at the March 2023 Committee and £3.775m of additional revenue funding from Investment Fund, as set out in paragraphs 2.1.1 to 2.1.14 of the report be approved;

2           That delegated authority to the West of England Combined Authority Strategic Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Unitary Authority Infrastructure Directors to spend the £123k of LEVI capability funding that has been secured and any future capability and capital funding secured through LEVI where there is urgency, subject to successful bids, as outlined in paragraphs 2.2.1 to 2.2.4 of the report be approved;

3           That delegated authority to the West of England Combined Authority Strategic Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Unitary Authority Infrastructure Directors to spend the £3.6m of Active Travel Fund that has been secured through the tranche 4 bidding process for schemes as outlined in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.10 of the report be approved;

4           That funding of £1.25m to review and update the Joint Local Transport Plan and transport major scheme programme following the publication of guidance from the Department for Transport, as outlined in paragraphs 2.4.1 to 2.4.5 of the report be approved;

5           That the extension to the Outline Business Case submission date to March 2024 and associated funding of £471k, as outlined in paragraphs 2.5.1 to 2.5.7 of the report be approved;

6           That delegated authority for approval of business cases and subsequent spend and delivery of cycling and walking schemes of £6m and below to the West of England Combined Authority Strategic Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Unitary Authority Directors of Infrastructure, where there is headroom within a programme and no material impact on other schemes. In the absence of unanimous agreement the delegation reverts to the West of England Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the Unitary Authority CEOs, as set out in paragraphs 2.6.1 to 2.6.7 of the report be agreed;

7           That the approval of a Feasibility and Development Funding Application(s) for up to £15.1m for the activities to be undertaken through the City Regions Sustainable Travel Settlement top slice to the West of England Combined Authority Strategic Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Unitary Authority Directors of Infrastructure, as outlined in paragraph 2.7.1 of the report be approved.

The Metro Mayor introduced a report which provided an update to the West of England Combined Authority Committee on key transport schemes and which would secure approval from Committee on key decisions and associated funding (where applicable) related to a number of projects within the West of England Combined Authority’s Transport Infrastructure programme.

Cllr Warren welcomed the improvements to MetroWest on the rail which were already showing improvements in Keysham and looked forward to a next stage with a new station at Saltford to bring further improvements.  She further specifically welcomed the EV Infrastructure Charging and Active Travel initiatives to boost funding and walking.

Cllr Young welcomed the opportunity to enhance rail services from Severn Beach to Yate, Electric Vehicle Charging Points and the M32 sustainable transport corridor but queried the extension of the Outline Business Case (OBC) submission date.  She asked that there be regular engagement of appropriate leaders and transport members in overseeing this project.  This was confirmed by the Authority’s Interim Chief Executive.

Cllr Dudd welcomed the funding for EV Charging points which was an important initiative in meeting the region’s net zero targets but reiterated that any monies were spent in an equitable way, not just in residential areas.  He stated he would like to see a focus on ‘rapid charge hubs’ which were needed as well as on street charging points. Cllr Dudd said that there was an opportunity for maximising the partnership work with Bristol City Leap.  He welcomed the progress on the M32 Park & Ride solution.  He believed that the delivery of projects contained in the LCWIP would help towards the decarbonisation of transport in the region.

[voting arrangements: Decision required majority agreement of Committee Members in attendance, or their substitutes (one vote representing each Authority) and including the West of England Combined Authority Metro Mayor].

The recommendations were moved by Metro Mayor Dan Norris, seconded by Cllr Sarah Warren and unanimously:

Resolved:

1           That the award of £7.775m to fund enhanced rail services on the Severn Beach and Westbury lines for 3 years, drawing down the £4m allocated for programme risk at the March 2023 Committee and £3.775m of additional revenue funding from Investment Fund, as set out in paragraphs 2.1.1 to 2.1.14 of the report be approved;

2           That delegated authority to the West of England Combined Authority Strategic Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Unitary Authority Infrastructure Directors to spend the £123k of LEVI capability funding that has been secured and any future capability and capital funding secured through LEVI where there is urgency, subject to successful bids, as outlined in paragraphs 2.2.1 to 2.2.4 of the report be approved;

3           That delegated authority to the West of England Combined Authority Strategic Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Unitary Authority Infrastructure Directors to spend the £3.6m of Active Travel Fund that has been secured through the tranche 4 bidding process for schemes as outlined in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.10 of the report be approved;

4           That funding of £1.25m to review and update the Joint Local Transport Plan and transport major scheme programme following the publication of guidance from the Department for Transport, as outlined in paragraphs 2.4.1 to 2.4.5 of the report be approved;

5           That the extension to the Outline Business Case submission date to March 2024 and associated funding of £471k, as outlined in paragraphs 2.5.1 to 2.5.7 of the report be approved;

6           That delegated authority for approval of business cases and subsequent spend and delivery of cycling and walking schemes of £6m and below to the West of England Combined Authority Strategic Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Unitary Authority Directors of Infrastructure, where there is headroom within a programme and no material impact on other schemes. In the absence of unanimous agreement the delegation reverts to the West of England Combined Authority Chief Executive in consultation with the Unitary Authority CEOs, as set out in paragraphs 2.6.1 to 2.6.7 of the report be agreed;

7           That the approval of a Feasibility and Development Funding Application(s) for up to £15.1m for the activities to be undertaken through the City Regions Sustainable Travel Settlement top slice to the West of England Combined Authority Strategic Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Unitary Authority Directors of Infrastructure, as outlined in paragraph 2.7.1 of the report be approved.