Decision details

ACTIVE TRAVEL FUNDING - TRANCHE 3

Decision Maker: Economy Regeneration & Housing Committee

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

This report seeks approval to accept grant funding of £2,225,000 from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund Tranche 3 (ATF T3) Programme, and to allocate the funds to the proposed Conway Street / Europa Boulevard Movement Scheme.

 

The budget secured from the Tranche 3 Programme will enable the scope of the proposed Conway Street / Europa Boulevard Movement Scheme to be extended as set out in Appendix 1 of this report.

 

The scheme is funded via the Future High Streets programme. The acceptance of the Tranche 3 funding will support all five themes of the Wirral Plan 2021-26: Inclusive Economy, Safe & Pleasant Communities, Sustainable Environment, Brighter Futures and Active & Healthy Lives.

 

This matter affects the Birkenhead and Tranmere Ward. This matter is a Key Decision

Decision:

Resolved - that

 

 

(1) the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to accept grant funding of £2,225,000 allocated to Wirral Council by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority from the Active Travel Fund Tranche 3; and

 

(2) Recommendation be made to the Policy and Resources Committee that the Capital Programme be amended so that the £2,225,000 grant funding allocated to Wirral Council by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority from the Active Travel Fund Tranche 3 be allocated to the Conway Street/Europa Boulevard Movement Scheme.

Reasons for the decision:

To enable the geographical scope of the proposed Conway Street/Europa Boulevard Scheme to be increased, which will support the wider town centre regeneration and facilitate the delivery of a significantly enhanced overall active travel scheme, enabling improved links to the wider existing or proposed active travel network.

 

To ensure that the Council achieves development and delivery of active travel schemes within the Borough as part of a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) wide programme of schemes and interventions.

 

To ensure that the Council supports schemes which will deliver increased levels of sustainable travel as set out in the emerging Local Plan and to support actions required to address the Climate Emergency and the target in the Cool2 Strategy to ‘a complete transition to fossil fuel free local travel by around 2030’

Alternative options considered:

The Council could decide to not accept the funding. This is not considered to be an appropriate option given that supporting active travel is in line with the Council’s commitment to addressing the climate emergency, improving the health of Wirral’s residents and encouraging alternative modes of transport to the private car.

 

The funding could be used for other purposes. This is not considered an appropriate option as it would not meet the terms of the grant funding agreement, as the funding is specifically to support delivery of the Conway Street/Europa Boulevard Movement Scheme. Should the funding be used for other purposes the Council would be in breach of the condition of the grant funding agreement.

Publication date: 19/10/2022

Date of decision: 19/10/2022

Decided at meeting: 19/10/2022 - Economy Regeneration & Housing Committee

Effective from: 27/10/2022

Accompanying Documents: