Agenda item

Regent Street Flyover Essential Maintenance Funding

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which seeks approval to authorise the procurement of the design and build contract via the Scape Civil Engineering contract, authorise expenditure of £31m for the Regent Street Flyover Maintenance Scheme, and which requests that the Leader of Council writes to the Secretary of State to express concerns regarding the delay of the bid decision and to seek clarification on timescales.

 

Minutes:

The Director of City Development submitted a report which sought approval to authorise the procurement of the design and build contract via the Scape Civil Engineering contract, to authorise expenditure of £31m for the Regent Street Flyover Maintenance Scheme, and which requested the Leader of Council to write to the Secretary of State to express concerns regarding the delay of the bid decision from the Department for Transport and to seek clarification on timescales.

 

In introducing the report, the Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development extended her thanks to those involved in the continued running of essential services in line with Government guidance in the field of highways maintenance and the delivery of schemes promoting public transport. With regard to the proposal in the submitted report, it was highlighted that public safety in respect of the flyover had been maintained via a rigorous monitoring process, however, although a funding decision was awaited from Government, the replacement of the flyover could not be delayed any further.

 

Responding to a Member’s enquires, it was acknowledged that although there were challenges in having a number of key schemes being progressed concurrently in the city, actions would continue to be taken to minimise disruption and overlap as much as possible, and a key reason for submitting this report to this meeting was to progress the proposal, maximise the benefit from the current window of opportunity and to phase in the proposed scheme with other developments.  Also, in acknowledging Member comments regarding contractors, emphasis was placed upon the importance of striking the correct balance between maintaining positive relationships with contractors during such challenging times, whilst also ensuring that developments kept within agreed timeframes wherever possible. 

 

Members also discussed the ongoing dialogue taking place with Government around a decision from the Department for Transport on the submitted funding bid in relation to this scheme, and also with regard to the potential flexibility around the existing timeframe for committing Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme (LPTIP) funding, given current circumstances, which it was highlighted would be welcomed. The Board considered the nature of the dialogue taking place and officers undertook to continue to liaise with the Department for Transport on such matters, which would complement any separate political discussions taking place.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the decision by Full Council in February 2020 to inject Leeds City Council borrowing into the capital programme of £23.0m for the Regent Street Flyover Maintenance Scheme alongside the existing £8.0m within the Highways Bridges & Structures Programme giving a total funding package of £31m, be noted; 

 

(b)  That the procurement of the design and build contract via the Scape Civil Engineering Framework, be authorised;

 

(c)  That the Leader of Council be requested to write to the Secretary of State to express concerns with the delay of the bid decision and to seek clarification regarding associated timescales;

 

(d)  That agreement be given that the Director of City Development proposes to inject external bid funds into the Capital Programme upon receipt of the relevant approvals in accordance with his existing delegated authority;

 

(e)  That the total expenditure of £31.0m for the design and implementation of the Regent Street Flyover Essential Maintenance Scheme which is funded from £26.4m Leeds City Council borrowing and £4.6m Local Transport Plan funding, be authorised;

 

(f)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer Highways and Transportation will be responsible for the implementation of these works.

 

Supporting documents: