Decision details

City Connect 3 Leeds Package - Segregated Cycleways at Dewsbury Road (Phase 3), Elland Road and Clay Pit Lane

Reference: D50352

Decision Maker: Executive Board

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Executive Board is asked to approve the delivery of three cycling schemes in Leeds, forming part of the City Connect 3 proposals. Leeds has submitted an Outline Business Case (OBC) to the Combined Authority for the provision of segregated cycling facilities on Claypit Lane, Dewsbury Road and Elland Road. The OBC was successful and the project is progressing toward the Full Business Case (FBC). The funding for the schemes will come as part of the WY+Transport Fund through the City Connect programme. The schemes form part of the wider ambition to develop Leeds Cycle Network and will close some of the key gaps in the existing and upcoming cycling infrastructure.

Decisions:

The Director of City Development submitted a report which sought approval for the design and delivery of a package of 3 schemes to provide segregated cycleways linking to Leeds City Centre. Specifically, the proposed cycleways were to run along Clay Pit Lane, Dewsbury Road and Elland Road. The schemes form part of the Combined Authority’s ‘City Connect 3’ package of improvement to cycle infrastructure in West Yorkshire.

 

In noting that the proposals within the submitted report were to be fully funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s (WYCA) City Connect programme, a Member sought an update on the current position regarding the outstanding WYCA funding in respect of phase 1 of the scheme, and given that outstanding sum, a further enquiry was made as to whether guarantees could be provided that the proposals in respect of phase 3 would be fully funded by the Combined Authority. The Member also requested to see a copy of WYCA’s letter to the Council in 2016 regarding the Combined Authority’s commitment in respect of funding phase 1 of the project.

 

In response, the Board noted that this proposed scheme would be governed by a funding agreement which phase 1 was not, and would include appropriate contingency provision. It was also noted that this scheme had the advantage of the experience gained from the delivery of earlier phases. With regard to the commitment that WYCA had provided regarding the funding of phase 1, it was noted that the Director of City Development was scheduled to meet with the Combined Authority tomorrow with a view to raising the issue of the outstanding sum. The Director undertook to update Board Members as appropriate.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the success to date of the City Connect programme within Leeds, be noted;

 

(b)  That the proposed Phase 3 projects which will provide segregated cycleways on Dewsbury Road, Elland Road and Clay Pit Lane, as detailed within the submitted report, be approved; and that the submission of the projects to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority as part of a full business case for the purposes of final approval, be approved;

 

(c)  That the authority to incur expenditure of £6.14m to design and construct the cycleways, to be fully funded from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s City Connect programme, be approved;

 

(d)  That the following be noted:-

(i) The construction of the scheme is programmed to commence in the Spring of 2020 for completion by Spring 2021; and

(ii) The Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation) will be responsible for the implementation of such matters.

 

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor A Carter required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute)

Reason Key: Financial Impact>£500K;

Wards Affected: Beeston and Holbeck; Hunslet and Riverside;

Portfolio Holder: Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development

Other reasons / organisations consulted

Members briefings with affected ward members and with portfolio holders

Stakeholder briefings, including the Leeds Cycle Consultation Forum and the City Connect Advisory Board.

Public consultations through YourVocie and drop in sessions.

Affected frontages to be consulted directly by letter.

Consultees

Ward members and portfolio holders, Leeds United Football Club, West Yorkshire Police, Cycle Consultation Forum and City Connect Advisory Board, local Town Teams.

Contact: Christopher Way, Traffic Engineer 0113 3787493 Email: christopher.way@leeds.gov.uk.

Report author: Christopher Way

Publication date: 28/11/2019

Date of decision: 25/11/2019

Decided at meeting: 25/11/2019 - Executive Board

Effective from: 05/12/2019

Accompanying Documents: