Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
High Speed 2 (HS2) Local Road Safety Fund - RELEASE NO: 5
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Democratic Services Location: Phase II Ext: 0185 DDI: 01895 250185 CMD No: 378 To: COUNCILLOR MARTIN GODDARD CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE COUNCILLOR JOHN RILEY CABINET MEMBER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRANSPORT c.c. All Members of the Public Safety & Transport Select Committee c.c. Perry Scott – Corporate Director of Place c.c. Rick Connors – Place Directorate c.c. Ward Councillors for West Ruislip, Ickenham, Harefield, Northwood c.c. Conservative and Labour Group Offices (inspection copy) Date: 02 February 2022 Non-Key Decision request Form D HIGH SPEED 2 (HS2) LOCAL ROAD SAFETY FUND - RELEASE NO: 5 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 Thursday 10 February 2022 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. Liz Penny Democratic Services Officer Title of Report: High Speed 2 (HS2) Local Road Safety Fund - Release No: 5 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 & Transport Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 1 Part I - Public CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (February 2022) DEPARTMENT: Residents Services SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: High Speed 2 (HS2) Local Road Safety Fund RELEASE NO: 5 Cabinet Members Councillor Martin Goddard Councillor John Riley Cabinet Portfolios Cabinet Member for Finance Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport Officer Contact Rick Connors, Place Directorate 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 £91,982.23 from the High Speed 2 (HS2) Road Safety funding grant awarded to the Council to deliver the Reduction of Speed Limits in the North of Hillingdon Borough. The works will commence upon release of the funds and are due for completion by the summer of 2022. Relevant Select Committee Public Safety & Transport Ward(s) affected West Ruislip, Ickenham, Harefield, Northwood. Portfolio Member approval Councillor John Riley RECOMMENDATION That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport approve the following capital release request of £ 92k from the High Speed 2 Road Safety Fund (Appendix A). Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 2 Part I - Public Reasons for recommendation The scheme meets the objectives of the road safety fund as it will introduce reductions in the speed limits which will improve road safety along these roads. Some of these roads are on the approved HS2 Lorry Routes (Harvil Road and Breakspear Road South), while the other roads are directly affected by HS2 Works in the area, and the impact on the road network this causes. The reduction of speed limits on these roads will provide a lasting legacy for road safety in the area as a direct consequence of HS2 funding for this project. Alternative options considered The Cabinet Members may agree 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. Select Committee comments None at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION Background 1. Due to the large amount of HS2 Work 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. This sum was calculated by HS2 as a pro- rata allocation as part of a route-wide fund. 2. The monies could be drawn down upon as and when successful bids were made to HS2 via the Road Safety Fund Proforma; to date £1 45,000 has been drawn down through successful bids. 3. On 23 November 2021, the London Borough of Hillingdon submitted a Proforma requesting funding of £91,982.23 for the implementation of a scheme previously agreed in principle by the former Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation and confirmed by the present Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport, to implement the ‘ Reduction of Speed Limits in the North of Hillingdon Borough’. 4. The scheme was deemed to meet the criteria within the HS2 guidance, most notably by providing a legacy for road safety; as noted below, the principle had also been established within Hillingdon by a number of past petitions seeking r eductions in the speed limit on a number of key local roads which are either crossed by the new H S2 route or are broadly in the local vicinity and so impacted by either HS2 construction traffic or other traffic displaced as a consequence of such activities. Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 3 Part I - Public 5. On 29 November 2021, HS2 confirmed via email that the application for funding to take the scheme forward had been approved. 6. Officers are in the process of finalising the payment schedule with HS2 and will then raise an Invoice to HS2 for payment of the funding (as agreed in the payment schedule). Scheme Proposals 7. The London Borough of Hillingdon has received numerous complaints and petitions in the past from residents in the north of the Borough concerning speeding vehicles and requesting a reduction in speed limits to improve road safety. 8. In response to these complaints and petitions the Council commissioned vehicle speed surveys at various sites in the north of the Borough during 2019. The data concluded that vehicles were driven above the 85 th percentile speed at various sites. 9. The most recent five -year collision data received from Transport for London up to December 2020 showed an increase in slight and serious injuries at various sites where the vehicle speed data was collected. Furthermore, all the petitions, complaints and requests received by the Borough on behalf of the residents and Councillors in the last five years were reviewed and analysed against the data. 10. Based on evidence from vehicle speed data, traffic collision data, various petitions and complaints received by the Council, it was proposed that the speed limits must be reduced along with other measures such as Vehicle Activated signs (VAS) in order to improve road safety in the north of the Borough. All the ward members for various local wards are very supportive of this proposal. 11. The effect of Covid lockdown measures on road safety is understood; however, reductions in traffic volumes increase risky driving behaviours. 12. The following roads in the North of the Borough are to be included in the scheme: • Breakspear Road South (Ickenham and Harefield) • Breakspear Road North (Harefield) • Church Hill (Harefield) • Ducks Hill Road (West Ruislip & Northwood) • Fine Bush Lane ((Harefield) • Harvil Road (Ickenham and Harefield) • Moorhall Road (Harefield) • New Year’s Green Lane (Harefield) • Northwood Road (Harefield) • Park Lane (Harefield) • Rickmansworth Road (Harefield) and • Shrubs Road (Harefield). 13. The total cost of the scheme is estimated at £91,982.23 based on rates provided by the Council’s Highways Team , and the works will b e undertaken by the Council’s term contractors who have quoted for the installation of all signage, road markings and Vehicle Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 4 Part I - Public Activated Signs (VAS); once the funding is in place it is intended that the scheme will be delivered quickly. Much of the associated Traffic Order Making has already been progressed in anticipation of this work. Financial Implications HS2 Local Road Safety Fund 2021/22 Revised Budget £611k, Previously Released £ 111k, Release Requested £92k - 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 2020/21. In June 2021, Cabinet approved the re-phasing of £611k of the unspent funding into 2021/22. The funds which are the subject of this capital release request are part of a sum which HS2 Limited has allocated to the London Borough of Hillingdon; the Council has to apply to draw down the funding to ensure the criteria are met. HS2 Limited will fund in 2 staged payments on start of works and completion of works. £127k has been drawn down through successful bids and approved for release through the capital release process , of which £34k was spent in 2020/21 , resulting in £ 111k previously released budget being rephased into 2021/22 and a further £92k in 2021/22 for: • the implementation of a camera enforced 7.5T weight restriction on Ladygate Lane Ruislip (West Ruislip); • the upgrade of the existing pedestrian refuge on Bury Street, close to the junction of Park Road, to a zebra crossing with accompanying highway surfacing upgrade with anti -skid on both approaches (West Ruislip); • the addition of zebrites at the Swakeleys Road / Cophall Road East Crossing (Ickenham); and • the installation of enhanced signage at the bend on Breakspear Road South / Tile Kiln Lane (Harefield) This report requests the release of £92k for the funds required for the delivery of the reductions of Speed Limits in the North of Hillingdon Borough, it has been agreed with HS2 Limited that the funding will be received in 2 staged payments on start of works and completion of works. The remaining £408k of funding is subject to the capital release process. RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon residents, service users and communities The reduction of speed limits on these roads will provide a lasting legacy for road safety in the area and is an appropriate use of the HS2 Road Safety Funding. Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 5 Part I - Public Consultation carried out or required The changing of the speed limit reductions has been split into two Traffic Orders. The first Traffic Order covering the speed limit reductions in Breakspear Road North, Breakspear Road South, Fine Bush Lane and Harvil Road came into operation on 19/04/21. The second Traffic Order covering the rest of the required speed limit reductions was in formal Consultation in October 2021 and is awaiting approval following issue of a Cabinet Member report. It is not expected that there will be any issues in making the second Traffic Order and that approval will be forthcoming. Local Ward Councillors have also been consulted and are supportive of the scheme. 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 thus 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 by Cabinet Members. 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 to 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. Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 6 Part I - Public APPENDIX A High Speed 2 Road Safety Fund - Release 5 Location Project / Expenditure Title Information Funds Release Sought £000’s Approve Hold More Information Required North of Hillingdon Borough Reduction of Speed Limits in the North of Hillingdon Borough Proposal for the speed limits to be reduced along with other measures such as Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) in order to improve road safety in the north of the Borough. 92 Total seeking release 92 Previously released 111 Budget 611 Remaining budget 408 Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 7 Part I - Public APPENDIX B Maps of roads in proposed scheme: Breakspear Road South Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 8 Part I - Public Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 9 Part I - Public Breakspear Road North Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 10 Part I - Public Church Hill Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 11 Part I - Public Ducks Hill Road Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 12 Part I - Public Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 13 Part I - Public Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 14 Part I - Public Fine Bush Lane Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 15 Part I - Public Harvil Road Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 16 Part I - Public Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 17 Part I - Public Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 18 Part I - Public Moorhall Road New Year’s Green Lane Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 19 Part I - Public Northwood Road Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 20 Part I - Public Park Lane Rickmansworth Road Capital Release Report – 2 February 2022 Page 21 Part I - Public Shrubs Road
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Executive Decision Notice – 16 February 2022 Page 1 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk OFFICIAL EXECUTIVE DECISION NOTICE PUBLISHED BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES Notice is hereby given that the following decision(s) have been made today by Cabinet Members at the London Borough of Hillingdon: Title of decision HIGH SPEED 2 (HS2) LOCAL ROAD SAFETY FUND - RELEASE NO: 5 Reference No. 378 Date of decision Wednesday 16 February 2022 Call-in expiry date Wednesday 23 February 2022 Relevant Select Committee(s) Public Safety and Transport Select Committee Relevant Ward(s) West Ruislip, Ickenham, Harefield, Northwood Decision made Cabinet Members making the decision Councillor Martin Goddard – Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor John Riley – Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport Approved That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport approved the capital release request of £92k from the High Speed 2 Road Safety Fund Reason for decision The scheme me ets the objectives of the road safety fund as it will introduce reductions in the speed limits which will improve road safety along these roads. Some of these roads are on the approved HS2 Lorry Routes (Harvil Road and Breakspear Road South), while the other roads are directly affected by HS2 Works in the area, and the impact on the road network this causes. The reduction of speed limits on these roads w ill provide a lasting legacy for road safety in the area as a direct consequence of HS2 funding for this project. Alternative options considered and rejected The Cabinet Members could have agreed 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. Executive Decision Notice – 16 February 2022 Page 2 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk Classification Part I – Public Link to associated report Report found here. Relevant Officer contact & Directorate Rick Connors, Place Directorate. Any interest declared by the Cabinet Member(s) / dispensation granted N/A Implementation of decision & scrutiny call-in [Internal Use only] When can this decision be implemented by officers? Officers can implement Cabinet Member decision in this notice only from the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period which is: Wednesday 23 February 2022 However, this is subject to the decision not being called in by Councillors on the relevant Select Committee. Upon receipt of a valid call-in request, Democratic Services will immediately advise the relevant officer(s) and the decision must then be put on hold. Councillor scrutiny call- in of this decision Councillors on the relevant Select Committee shown in this notice may request to call-in this decision. The request must be before the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period above. Councillors should use the Scrutiny Call-in App (link below) on their devices to initiate any call-in request. Further advice can be sought from Democratic Services if required: Scrutiny Call-In - Power Apps (secure) Further information These decisions, where applicable, have been taken under The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. This is the formal notice by the Council of the above executive decision, including links to the reports where applicable. If you would like more information on this decision, please contact Democratic Services on 01895 250636 or email: democratic@hillingdon.gov.uk. Circulation of this decision notice is to a variety of people including Members of the Council, Corporate Directors, Officers, Group Secretariats and the Public. Copies are also placed on the Council’s website. Democratic Services London Borough of Hillingdon Civic Centre High Street Uxbridge UB8 1UW