This report requests approval for the disbursement of grant funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s (LCRCA) City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) for 2022/23 into Wirral Council’s Capital Programme for Highways Structural Maintenance and Bridge Maintenance. The report also requests approval for the disbursement of the indicative funding for years 2023/24, 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27, in the same programme. The report also requests acceptance of an indicative highway condition matrix that will be used to inform future programme investment decisions.

Resolved – That

(1)  the allocation of indicative grant funding likely to be allocated to Wirral Council in the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) Combined Authority Transport Plan programme (Highways Structural Maintenance) amongst the relevant subject areas over the next 4 years be approved.

(2)  the proposed programme of works for Wirral’s Carriageways, Footway Improvements and Bridge Maintenance for 2022/23 be approved, using grant funding allocated to Wirral Council by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) in the 2022/23 City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), Combined Authority Transport Plan Programme (Highways Structural Maintenance).

(3)  the indicative RAG rated highway network condition matrix as set out in Appendix 3 to this report be accepted, to be used by officers as one of the decision tools when developing highway structural maintenance programmes.

(4)  the Director of Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Chair and Party Spokespersons of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, be authorised to revise or amend the delivery or implementation of the work programmes, as deemed necessary, having due regard for the available resources and applicable risk-based prioritisation of locations selected for intervention and treatment.

To ensure that the Council can comply with its statutory duty, to maintain the public highway in Wirral, as set out in the Highways Act 1980, Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984, Road Traffic Act 1988, Local Government Act 2000, and the Traffic Management Act 2004.

An element of this funding will be specifically allocated to Wirral Council for delivery of schemes on the Liverpool City Region’s Key Route Network (KRN), supporting the Council’s main strategic routes providing links to economic growth and regeneration sites, and cannot be used for any other purpose. The Council will inevitably incur risk reputational damage should it not accept funding specifically allocated to invest in the KRN.

The Council could decide to not accept the grant funding offered. This is not considered to be an appropriate option given that the programme identified within this report enables the Council to comply with its statutory duties.

The funding could be used for other purposes where applicable. This is not considered an appropriate option as it would not meet the conditions of the funding award. Schemes and projects within the recommended programme have been developed in accordance with the Council’s Highway Asset Management Strategy and KRN priorities. The programme has been developed using a risk-based approach and prioritised within the funding available against condition and assessment criteria is considered the most appropriate option.