Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Nicholas Pontone  01753 875120

Items
No. Item

12.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

No interests were declared.

13.

Minutes of the meeting held on 21st July 2016 pdf icon PDF 84 KB

Minutes:

Resolved –  That the minutes of the Berkshire Local Transport Body (BLTB) held on 21st July 2016 be approved as a correct record.

14.

Financial Approval 2.15 Bracknell: Martins Heron pdf icon PDF 146 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report was considered that sought conditional financial approval for scheme 2.15 Bracknell Martins Heron.  The scheme was part of a wider programme to improve access between the M3 and M4 via the A322, A329 and A329(M).  The project focused on the Martins Heron roundabout and minor alterations to the London Road corridor to improve congestion and journey times.

 

The reasons for seeking conditional approval were explained and it was noted that further work needed to be completed before the independent assessors were satisfied that the a fully compliant business case was in place.  It was agreed that the scheme was sound and would complement other local schemes recently carried out.  BLTB therefore agreed to give conditional financial approval, subject to the conditions specified.

 

Resolved –

 

(a)  That scheme 2.15 Bracknell Martins Heron be given conditional financial approval in the sum of £2,000,000 in 2017/18 and £900,000 in 2018/19 on the terms of the funding agreement set out at paragraph 13 step 5 of the report.

 

(b)  The condition that would have to be met in order to gain full financial approval was that the independent assessor be satisfied that the following elements of a fully compliant Full Business Case had either been supplied, or a properly documented reason for their absence, had been supplied:

 

a.  Options Assessment Report;

b.  Detailed cost breakdown;

c.  The BMMTM local model and demand model validation reports;

d.  Network plots of the area showing the rerouting of traffic;

e.  Justification for the choice of forecast years;

f.  Low and High Growth scenarios for BCR;

g.  A 30-year assessment of BCR;

h.  Environmental assessments;

i.  Public Accounts (PA), Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) and Analysis of Monetised Costs and Benefits (AMCB) tables;

j.  Cobalt accident analysis.

15.

Financial Approval 2.21 Slough: Langley Station Improvements pdf icon PDF 146 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report was considered that sought financial approval for scheme 2.21 Slough Langley Station Improvements.  The scheme would improve station facilities, signage and enhance access from the surrounding area through better pedestrian, cycling, bus and parking provision.  The activity would prepare the station for the arrival of Crossrail services.

 

Clarification was sought that the scheme would be completed prior to the start of Crossrail services and it was confirmed that work would be completed by March 2018 with Crossrail services scheduled to begin in December 2019.  After due consideration, BLTB agreed to give the scheme full financial approval on the terms set out in the report.

 

Resolved –  That scheme 2.21 Slough Langley Station Improvements be given full financial approval in the sum of £1,500,000 in 2017/18 on the terms of the funding agreement set out at paragraph 14 step 5 of the report.

 

(Councillor Brunel-Walker joined the meeting)

16.

Thames Valley Berkshire Local Growth Deal 2015/16 to 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 129 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The BLTB considered a progress report on the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Growth Deal and in particular the schemes included in the transport packages of the Strategic Economic Plan. 

 

Tables 4 and 5 of the report showed the risk rating of schemes starting in 2015/16 and 2016/17 respectively and all were currently rated as ‘green’.  An update was requested on the latest position regarding 2.08 Slough: Rapid Transit and it was responded that work on the eastern section, between Junction 5 of the M4 and the town centre, would be completed by the end of January 2017 with the central and western sections due to be finished by the end of June.  Several businesses had already signed up to the scheme.  Members were also updated regarding the changes to 2.09.1 Sustainable Transport: NCN 422 and noted that work had started on site for  2.01 Newbury: Kings Road Link Road.

 

(Councillor Clifford joined the meeting)

 

BLTB considered Table 6 which showed the risk rating of scheme with later starts and the progress of schemes with an ‘Amber’ or ‘Red’ rating was reviewed.  Updates were provided on the four ‘Amber’ schemes – 2.04.2 Wokingham Distributor Roads, 2.05 Newbury: Sandleford Park, 2.13 Wokingham: Thames Valley Park & Ride and 2.14 Reading: East Reading Mass Rapid Transport – and BLTB was satisfied that progress was being made and the risks were being managed. 

 

(Ian Frost joined the meeting)

 

Scheme 2.16 Maidenhead: Station Access had a ‘Red’ status due to difficulties in assembling the site and preparing a workable scheme.  RBWM representatives updated on the current position and provided reassurance that positive progress was being made to develop a scheme on a key site, however, members were concerned about the potential impact of further slippage on the programme more widely.  RBWM stated that it was anticipated that a business case would be ready in July 2017.  BLTB reaffirmed its commitment  to the scheme in principle and agreed that if a business case wasn’t in place by July 2017 than the LTB contribution would need to be reviewed.

 

The BLTB then reviewed and noted the progress reports on the remaining schemes in the programme as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

 

Resolved –  That the progress made on the schemes previously given programme entry system, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted.

17.

BLTB Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 64 KB

Minutes:

The forward plan was considered which set out the pipeline of schemes anticipated to come to the LTB for funding approval in 2017/18.


Resolved –  That the BLTB Forward Plan be noted.

18.

Date of the Next Meeting

Thursday 16th March 2017 at 4.00pm at The Curve, William Street, Slough, SL1 1XY

Minutes:

Resolved –  That the next meeting of the BLTB be held on Thursday 16th March 2017 at 4.00pm at The Curve, William Street, Slough.