Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development that seeks approval for the design and delivery of a package of schemes to provide new or upgrade existing facilities, to improve the waiting environment and travel information as well as improving walking and cycling links between public transport hubs and local communities.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which sought approval for the design and delivery of a package of seven schemes to provide new or upgrade existing facilities, to improve the waiting environment and travel information as well as improving walking and cycling links between public transport hubs and local communities. The report noted how the schemes were part of the Transport Hubs and Connecting Communities package within the Connecting Leeds public transport programme work stream, which was being developed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in collaboration with the Council.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, it was confirmed that with regard to the proposal affecting the Pudsey Ward, moving forward, Ward Councillors would be kept fully briefed on such matters.

Also in response to a Member’s enquiry regarding the evaluation of the cost levels for those schemes affecting public transport post-COVID-19, it was noted that such matters continued to be subject to change, but that they were being monitored and that liaison with the Combined Authority and contractors on would continue, as appropriate. 

With regard to the proposed scheme for Rothwell Ward, Members discussed and received further detail on the consultation which had taken place with the local community and Ward Members on such matters, and the benefits that the proposal would bring to existing facilities.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the package of seven schemes, as outlined in Section 3 of the submitted report and shown in appended Drawing Nos. TM/00/321/01 to 05, 06 to 06b and 07 to 07d, which would provide new or upgrade existing public transport facilities, to improve the waiting environment and travel information as well as improving walking and cycling links between public transport hubs and local communities, be approved;

(b)  That authority to incur expenditure of £7.36 million, comprising of £5.81 million works costs, £1.21 million staff fees and £340,000 statutory undertakers diversionary costs, be approved, to design and construct the proposed seven projects, as outlined in Section 3 of the submitted report, all to be fully funded from Department for Transport grant administered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority as part of the Connecting Leeds public transport programme;

(c)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation) is to receive reports concerning all Traffic Regulation Orders as required, necessary for and related to the purposes of the schemes and to ensure progression of the same;

(d)  That it be noted that the construction of the scheme is programmed to commence in the Summer of 2020 for completion by Summer 2021;

(e)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation) will be responsible for the implementation of such matters.