Agenda item

(a)  The offer of the Berkshire Local Transport Body (BLTB) to provide £13.3million from the Business Rates Retention Pilot funding stream towards the cost of Phase 2 of the SMaRT major transport scheme be welcomed;

(b)  The design of the scheme as outlined in paras Section 4, be agreed in principle subject to the development of the designs through the detailed design process including an adequate ‘buffer’ between the Park & Ride and neighbouring properties;

(c)  The results of the consultation exercise completed on Friday 1st February 2019 are accepted and the installation of the scheme be approved, including the continuation of the Park and Ride element.

(d)  Negotiations be proceeded with, to secure land to the northeast of the A4/Sutton Lane junction, required for installation of the Park and Ride facility (see Section 5.6 for further details);

(e)  The Director of Regeneration be authorised to take all necessary steps, if necessary, to secure the making, submission, confirmation and implementation of the CPO of the third party land required to deliver the Park and Ride facility (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.)

(f)  Officers investigate further opportunities, made possible by implementation of the scheme, to work towards the aims of the recently released Transport Vision document; in particular to reduce congestion and improve air quality by promoting cleaner vehicles, proactively facilitating improved pedestrian and cycling facilities and reducing the dominance of the car as a mode of travel.

The Service Lead Major Infrastructure Projects introduced a report that sought approval to progress the implementation of Phase 2 of the Slough Mass Rapid Transit (SMaRT) scheme and the associated A4/Sutton Lane park and ride facility.

The scheme was a key element of the Council’s Transport Vision and the aim was to enhance public transport services and reduce congestion along the A4 corridor.  Phase 2 was the section between the town centre and Heathrow.  It was an important part of the Local Plan to support the comprehensive redevelopment of the centre of Slough.  The outline plans for the proposed park and ride were explained and Lead Members emphasised the importance of ensuring there was a sufficient buffer between the facility and the adjacent housing.  This issue would be taken forward in the detailed design stage.

In response to comments made by Lead Members it was confirmed that as well as improving public transport services it included the enhancement of cycling and pedestrian facilities.  It was also suggested that bus lanes be made available to electric vehicles and be subject to appropriate enforcement.  The Cabinet also requested that the park and ride site be ‘future proofed’ to provide sufficient capacity for electric charging points.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Cabinet agreed the recommendations subject to clarification in recommendation (b) that the detailed design should include a buffer to nearby houses and to recommendation (f) to emphasise the importance of actively facilitating walking and cycling as part of the scheme.

Resolved –

(a)  The offer of the Berkshire Local Transport Body (BLTB) to provide £13.3million from the Business Rates Retention Pilot funding stream towards the cost of Phase 2 of the SMaRT major transport scheme be welcomed;

(b)  The design of the scheme as outlined in paras Section 4, be agreed in principle subject to the development of the designs through the detailed design process including an adequate ‘buffer’ between the Park & Ride and neighbouring properties;

(c)  The results of the consultation exercise completed on Friday 1st February 2019 are accepted and the installation of the scheme be approved, including the continuation of the Park and Ride element.

(d)  Negotiations be proceeded with, to secure land to the northeast of the A4/Sutton Lane junction, required for installation of the Park and Ride facility (see Section 5.6 for further details);

(e)  The Director of Regeneration be authorised to take all necessary steps, if necessary, to secure the making, submission, confirmation and implementation of the CPO of the third party land required to deliver the Park and Ride facility (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.)

(f)  Officers investigate further opportunities, made possible by implementation of the scheme, to work towards the aims of the recently released Transport Vision document; in particular to reduce congestion and improve air quality by promoting cleaner vehicles, proactively facilitating improved pedestrian and cycling facilities and reducing the dominance of the car as a mode of travel.