Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
High Speed 2 (HS2) Local Road Safety Fund: Swakeleys Road / Cophall Road East Crossing Upgrade and Breakspear Road South / Tile Kiln Lane Road Safety. Release No 3
Report Document
Can't see the PDF? Download Report
Decision / Minutes Document
Can't see the PDF? Download Minutes
Text extracted from PDFs
View Report Text
Democratic Services Location: Phase II Ext: 0833 DDI: 01895 25 0833 My Ref: RD To: COUNCILLOR MARTIN GODDARD CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE COUNCILLOR JOHN RILEY CABINET MEMBER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRANSPORT c.c. All Members of Executive Scrutiny Committee c.c. Perry Scott, Director of Infrastructure, Procurement, Business Improvement, Communications, Waste Services and ICT c.c. Chairmen of the Residents, Education and Environmental Services Policy Overview Committee c.c. Ward Councillors for Ickenham, Harefield and South Ruislip c.c. Sophie Wilmot, Residents Services c.c. Conservative and Labour Group Offices (inspection copy) Date: 18 January 2021 Non-Key Decision request Form D CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (January 2021) DEPARTMENT: Residents Services SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: High Speed 2 (HS2) Local Road Safety Fund RELEASE NO: 3 Dear Cabinet Member Attached is a report requesting that a decision be made by you as an individual Cabinet Member. Democratic Services confirm that this is not a key decision, as such the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 notice period does not apply. You should take a decision on or after Tuesday 26 January 2021 in order to meet Constitutional requirements about publication of decisions that are to be made. You may wish to discuss the report with the Corporate Director before it is made. Please indicate your decision on the duplicate memo supplied, and return it to me when you have made your decision. I will then arrange for the formal notice of decision to be published. Ryan Dell Democratic Services Apprentice Title of Report: High Speed 2 (HS2) Local Road Safety Fund - Release No. 3 Decision made: Reasons for your decision: (e.g. as stated in report) Alternatives considered and rejected: (e.g. as stated in report) Signed ………………………………………………………Date…………………….. Cabinet Member for Finance / Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport Capital Release Report - 18 January 2021 Page 1 Part I - Public CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (January 2021) DEPARTMENT: Residents Services SERVICE AREA/ PROGRAMME: High Speed 2 (HS2) Local Road Safety Fund RELEASE NO: 3 Cabinet Members Councillor Martin Goddard Councillor John Riley Cabinet Portfolios Cabinet Member for Finance Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport Officer Contact Sophie Wilmot, Residents Services Papers with report Appendix A with capital release requests for approval HEADLINES Summary To seek Cabinet Member approval for the release of capital funds. Putting our Residents First This report supports the Council objective of strong financial management. The Hillingdon Local Plan: Part One - Strategic Policies (2012). The Hillingdon Local Plan: Part Two - Development Management Policies (2020). Transport for London, London Borough of Hillingdon, Local Implementation Plan 3 (March 2019). Hillingdon's Sustainable Community Strategy 2011. Financial Cost This report seeks the release of £21k from the High Speed 2 (HS2) Road Safety funding grant awarded to the Council to deliver the projects as outlined in the body of this report. The works will commence upon release of the funds and are due for completion by March 2021. Relevant Policy Overview Committee Residents, Education and Environmental Services Ward(s) affected Ickenham, Harefield and West Ruislip Capital Release Report - 18 January 2021 Page 2 Part I - Public RECOMMENDATION That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport approve the following capital release request of £ 21k from the High Speed 2 Road Safety Fund (Appendix A). Reasons for recommendation Copthall Road East Crossing upgrade The scheme meets the objectives of the road safety fund as it will mitigate the impact of HS2 construction traffic. Swakeleys Road is a key local ‘B’ road in this area of the Borough and, whilst not an official HS2 construction, traffic suffers from traffic displacement associated with HS2 traffic, closures and other interruptions. The provision of this upgrade to the existing formal crossing will provide a lasting legacy for road safety in the area, as even without construction traffic Swakeleys Road is a highly trafficked route that needs to be crossed to allow residential areas to access local amenities , in particular local primary and secondary schools. Breakspear Road South/ Tile Kiln Lane Road safety improvements The scheme meets the objectives of the road safety fund as it will mitigate the impact of HS2 construction traffic. Breakspear Road South is a key route for HS 2 construction traffic and provides access to one of the major HS2 construction sites in the Borough. The road has seen a significant increase in HGV traffic and other traffic associated with those working at this HS2 site. Alternative options considered The Cabinet Members may agree to not to proceed with the programme of works as outlined in the report or suggest alternative projects to which funds could be allocated within the terms of the grant conditions. If the HS2 funds are not allocated to an appropriate scheme or delivered within the required timescale, the unspent funds may need to be refunded. Policy Overview Committee comments None at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION Background Due to the large HS2 works sites within the London Borough of Hillingdon and the acknowledgement that HS2 construction traffic will have an impact on the Borough’s road network, in May 2019 the Council received a purchase order to the value of £645,000 as the Hillingdon HS2 Road Safety Fund. The monies could be drawn down upon as and when successful bids were made to HS2 via the Road Safety Fund Proforma. Capital Release Report - 18 January 2021 Page 3 Part I - Public On 02 December 2020, with the agreement in principle of the then Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, the London Borough of Hillingdon submitted a Proforma requesting funding for the implementation of upgrades at the existing zebra crossing near Copthall Road East . On 04 December 2020, the London Borough of Hillingdon submitted a Proforma requesting funding to allow implementation of road safety measures on Breakspear Road South near the junction with Tile Kiln Lane. Both of the schemes were deemed to meet the criteria within the HS2 guidance, most notably by providing a legacy for road safety. On 09 December 2020, HS2 confirmed via email that the application for funding to take the scheme on Copthall Road East forward had been approved. On 14 December 2020, HS2 confirmed via email that the application for funding to take the scheme on Breakspear Road South forward had been approved. Scheme Proposals Swakeleys Road/ Copthall Road East Crossing upgrade Swakeleys Road (B467) runs from the Swakeleys Roundabout (at the A40) to the junction with Long Lane and High Road, Ickenham. The road provides connections to a significant number of residential areas as well as Ickenham Town Centre which has a number of sh ops, cafes and services. At the junction of Swakeleys Road/ Copthall Road East a two stage zebra crossing is provided to aid those travelling to the local shops and to Vyners secondary school which caters for around 1,174 Year 7 to Y ear 13 pupils, who are the age that begin travelling to and from school independently. The Council has a number of concerns from local residents that a number of vehicles fail to stop at zebra crossings . Visibility of the footpath and area is good and not hampered by any trees, hedges and such. There are belisha beacons provided at the zebra crossings, it is proposed to add zebrites to these to make the crossing more visibility especially in darker conditions. This is seen as a low cost solution which will have a significant road safety benefit. The total cost of delivering this scheme is £5,764 based on a quote from the Council’s Term Street Lighting Contractor, McCann’s who will undertake the works. Breakspear Road South/ Tile Kiln Lane Road safety improvements Breakspear Road South is a single lane in each direction with many bends and pinch points, most notably at the Chiltern Railway line bridge, with further pinch points to be added as the HS2 construction progresses. The road is currently a 40mph speed limit, for the majority of its length. Due to Breakspear Road South being a key construction route for HS2 construction traffic it has suffered from an increased number of HGVs and from a number of road closur es, all of which impact on residents and users of the road. During a current road closure of Breakspear Road South by HS2, the London Borough of Hillingdon are taking the opportunity to make some much needed repairs to the carriageway surface between Breakspear Road and the HS2 site entrance. Capital Release Report - 18 January 2021 Page 4 Part I - Public Over the past few years, the Council have received a number of complaints about the safety at the junction of Breakspear Road South with Tile Kiln Lane, which is not only on a bend but has a significant adverse camber. Accident records show that on Breakspear Road South a total of 20 personal injury accidents have occurred in the most recent five- year period for which data is available. Of those a total of two were recorded at the junction with Tile Kiln Lane and a further two not far from the junction. These statistics do not consider damage only collisions which occur. Although, not within the most recent five years of data in the last 10 years the area near the junction has seen a fatal collision which is still regularly attended by the victim’s family to leave flowers, candles and such. This area is identified by local residents as an accident ‘hotspot’. In order to improve the road safety at this junction, it is proposed to rectify the adverse camber and install enhanced signage at the bend to improve visibility of the bend, in particular in darker conditions as the road does not have street lighting. The total cost of delivering these improvements is £15,000 based on an estimate from the Council’s term contractors, O’Hara who will undertake the works. Financial Implications HS2 Local Road Safety Fund 2020/21 Revised Budget £645k, Previously Released £ 106k, Release Requested £21k – Appendix A In 2019/20, High Speed 2 Limited allocated £645k funding to the London Borough of Hillingdon to make improvements in places along the line of the HS2 route for traffic calming measures, safer pedestrian crossing or safer junctions for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. The intention is for a legacy of road and cycle safety improvement for people who live and work along the HS2 route. This funding was accepted at the July 2019 Cabinet. In June 2020, Cabinet approved the re-phasing of this funding into this financial year. The funds, which are the subject of this capital release request, are part of a sum w hich HS2 Limited has allocated to the London Borough of Hillingdon, which the Council has to apply for to draw down the funding to ensure the criteria is met. HS2 Limited will fund in 3 staged payments on design, start of works and completion of works. £106k has previously been released for the implementation of a camera enforced 7.5T weight restriction on Ladygate Lane, Ruislip and the upgrade of the existing pedestrian refuge on Bury Street close to the junction of Park Road to a zebra crossing, with acc ompanying highway surfacing upgrade with anti-skid on both approaches. This report requests the release of £21 k for the addition of zebrites at the Swakeleys Road/ Cophall Road East Crossing to make the crossing more visible and the installation of enhanced signage at bend on Breakspear Road South/ Tile Kiln Lane to improve visibility of the bend detailed above and in Appen dix A. Regarding these schemes , it has been agreed with HS2 Limited that full funding will be received at the start of the works given the level of funding requested and the timetable for completion. The remaining £518 k of funding is subject to the capital release process. Capital Release Report - 18 January 2021 Page 5 Part I - Public RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon residents, service users and communities The installation of the schemes detailed within this report will provide improved road safety for local residents and users of the Borough’s roads. Consultation carried out or required Neither scheme requires any formal legal consultation to allow them to be implemented. Local Ward Councillors have also been consulted and are supportive of the schemes. CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance concurs with the financial implications set out above, noting that the proposed works are fully externally funded with no impact on Council resources. Legal The Borough Solicitor confirms that the Council is responsible for carrying out this function pursuant to Section 56 of the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017. There are no legal impediments to the Council authorising the capital release. Infrastructure/ Asset Management Infrastructure/ Asset Management comments are included within the body of the report. Capital Release Protocol The release of all capital funds, and certain revenue funds, held by the Council is to be made by a formal democratic decision. No expenditure can be placed or committed by officers until this formal approval is given by Democratic Services. Release of funds must be for identified projects only and strictly not for the general release of funds for projects to be identified at a later date. No block releases of capital or funding will be allowed, except if authorised by the Leader of the Council in advance t o Corporate Finance. The release of funds will only be made if previous Council, Cabinet or Cabinet Member agreement has been given to the project and only if there is an approved budget. BACKGROUND PAPERS NIL. TITLES OF ANY APPENDICES High Speed 2 Road Safety Fund – Release No. 3 Capital Release Report - 18 January 2021 Page 6 Part I - Public APPENDIX A High Speed 2 Road Safety Fund - Release No. 3 Location Project/ Expenditure Title Information Funds Release Sought £000’s Approve Hold More Information Required Swakeleys Road/ Copthall Road East Installation of zebrites Installation of zebrites at the existing Zebra crossing point to improve visibility of the crossing and provide improved road safety. 6 Breakspear Road South/ Tile Kiln Lane Road Safety Improvements Road safety improvement works to remove camber on the road and to provide bend warning signs. 15 Total seeking release 21 Previously released 106 Budget 645 Remaining budget 518
View Decision / Minutes Text
Capital Release Decision Notice – 25 February 2021 OFFICIAL DECISION NOTICE PUBLISHED BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES ON 25 FEBRUARY 2021 The Cabinet Member for Finance, and the Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport have made the following decision today: 1. THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE AND THE CABINET MEMBER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRANSPORT CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (January 2021) DEPARTMENT: Residents Services SERVICE AREA/ PROGRAMME: High Speed 2 (HS2) Local Road Safety Fund RELEASE NO: 3 DECISION: FULL APPROVAL That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport approve d the following capital release request of £21k from the High Speed 2 Road Safety Fund (Appendix A of the associated report). Reasons for recommendations Copthall Road East Crossing upgrade The scheme meets the objectives of the road safety fund as it will mitigate the impact of HS2 construction traffic. Swakeleys Road is a key local ‘B’ road in this area of the Borough and, whilst not an official HS2 construction, traffic suffers from traffic displacement associated with HS2 traffic, closures and other interruptions. The provision of this upgrade to the existing formal crossing will provide a lasting legacy for road safety in the area, as even without construction traffic Swakeleys Road is a highly trafficked ro ute that needs to be crossed to allow residential areas to access local amenities, in particular local primary and secondary schools. Breakspear Road South/ Tile Kiln Lane Road safety improvements The scheme meets the objectives of the road safety fund a s it will mitigate the impact of HS2 construction traffic. Breakspear Road South is a key route for HS2 construction traffic and provides access to one of the major HS2 construction sites in the Borough. The road has seen a significant increase in HGV traffic and other traffic associated with those working at this HS2 site. Alternative options considered The Cabinet Members may agree to not to proceed with the programme of works as outlined in the report or suggest alternative projects to which Perry Scott, Director of Infrastructure, Procurement, Business Improvement, Communications, Waste Services and ICT Sophie Wilmot, Residents Services Capital Release Decision Notice – 25 February 2021 funds could be allocated within the terms of the grant conditions. If the HS2 funds are not allocated to an appropriate scheme or delivered within the required timescale, the unspent funds may need to be refunded. FURTHER INFORMATION The detailed report relating to this decision is available to view here . NOTES FOR OFFICERS ACTIONING CAPITAL RELEASE DECISIONS (APPROVAL / HOLD / MORE INFORMATION / NO DECISION YET): • Approved - Where project approval has been given, these funds will be released by corporate finance in due course. • On Hold - Where funding for projects have been put on hold by the Cabinet Members, then these cannot be progressed at this current time and no capital funds will be released to progress them. You may wish to consult with your relevant Cabinet Member. More information required - Where projects require further information, the Cabinet Members are still yet to make their formal decision – it is therefore effectively in suspension. If you wish your project(s) to proceed then you should provide further details about them to Corporate Finance. DECISION AUTHORITY & IMPLEMENTATION Where required, these decisions have been taken under The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. These decisions, unless called in, will come into effect from 5pm on Thursday 04 March 2021. This is the formal notice by the Council of the above decisions. If you would like more information on any of the decisions, please contact Democratic Services on 01895 250636. The right hand column indicates the name of the officer(s) responsible for implementing / following up the decision in each case. Circulation of this decisions sheet is to a variety of people including Members of the Council, Corporate Directors, Officers, Group Secretariats and the Public.