Agenda item

(a)  That the offer of the Berkshire Local Transport Body to provide £5.6m towards the cost of the SMaRT major transport scheme be welcomed;

(b)  That the terms of the offer, including the need for the remainder of the scheme cost approximately £2.5-3m to be met by local funding contributions, be noted;

(c)  That the local funding contribution (outlined in the capital strategy business case) required from Council revenue and capital resources be agreed;

(d)  That the design of the scheme submitted for planning consent under reference S/00713/000 be noted;

(e)  That land negotiations around 142 Bath Road and land south of Tintagel House proceed via the compulsory purchase order process;

(f)  That the Strategic Director, Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to take all necessary steps to secure the making, submission, confirmation and implementation of the CPO of the third party land required to deliver the SMaRT Scheme (following statutory process set down in the Highway Act 1980 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981, as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.)

(g)  That Officers investigate further the opportunity to utilise the bus lane to reduce congestion and improve air quality by promoting cleaner vehicles and multiple occupancy vehicles.

The Cabinet considered a report providing an update on the progress of the use of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers to deliver the Slough Mass Rapid Transit (SMaRT) scheme.

Approval had previously been given by the Cabinet in September 2014 to use CPO powers to obtain the necessary land for the new bus lane for the SMaRT scheme and future redevelopment opportunities.  The requirement for land at 124 and 128 Bath Road for junction improvements at the Three Tuns Pub junction had been designed out of the scheme due to the prohibitively high levels of compensation.  Most of the land now required for the scheme was already within the existing boundaries of the highway or acquired by negotiation over the past 12 months.  The Cabinet was asked to approve the use of CPO powers to acquire land around 142 Bath Road and land south of Tintagel House, if it could not be acquired via negotiation at a fair price, to deliver the social and economic benefits of the SMaRT scheme and wider regeneration.

There would be significant benefits to local residents of the SMaRT scheme by improving the speed and reliability of bus journeys and mitigating against forecast levels of traffic congestion as well as facilitating new housing and employment opportunities.  Commissioners requested that consideration be given to maximising the benefits of the additional capacity by allowing it to be used for electric vehicles or those who were car sharing.  The trials of multiple occupancy vehicle lanes elsewhere in the country had had limited success, however, the Head of Transport confirmed that officers would investigate the opportunities to use the new bus lanes for such purposes to reduce congestion and promote the use of cleaner vehicles.  The Cabinet emphasised the importance of promoting greener travel as part of the wider strategy to improve air quality and ultimately improve the health of local residents.  There was significant activity underway to collect the data needed to effectively monitor air quality and there was engagement with the public health team.  It was noted that recent research indicated that half of all electric cars in Berkshire were registered in Slough and the Council was committed to continue to expand the number of electric charging points.

The Cabinet welcomed the progress being made in delivering the SMaRT scheme; emphasised the need to maximise the benefits to residents; and agreed the recommendations to use CPO powers as detailed in the report.

Resolved –

(a)  That the offer of the Berkshire Local Transport Body to provide £5.6m towards the cost of the SMaRT major transport scheme be welcomed;

(b)  That the terms of the offer, including the need for the remainder of the scheme cost approximately £2.5-3m to be met by local funding contributions, be noted;

(c)  That the local funding contribution (outlined in the capital strategy business case) required from Council revenue and capital resources be agreed;

(d)  That the design of the scheme submitted for planning consent under reference S/00713/000 be noted;

(e)  That land negotiations around 142 Bath Road and land south of Tintagel House proceed via the compulsory purchase order process;

(f)  That the Strategic Director, Regeneration, Housing and Resources be authorised to take all necessary steps to secure the making, submission, confirmation and implementation of the CPO of the third party land required to deliver the SMaRT Scheme (following statutory process set down in the Highway Act 1980 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981, as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.)

(g)  That Officers investigate further the opportunity to utilise the bus lane to reduce congestion and improve air quality by promoting cleaner vehicles and multiple occupancy vehicles.