This report provides an update on the Phase 1 consultation undertaken regarding the town centre movement schemes at Conway Street/Europa Boulevard and Grange Road Charing Cross/Grange Road West and seeks approval to delegate authorisation to the Director of Neighbourhoods to consider the outcome of the Phase 2 consultation and make the decision regarding the implementation of the schemes.

The report also seeks approval for the acceptance of a further allocation of £1,625,000 of Active Travel Tranche 3 funding to support the delivery of the Conway Street/Europa Boulevard scheme. The Conway Street/Europa Boulevard scheme and the Grange Road/ Charing Cross/Grange Road West projects are part of the council’s Future High Street Fund (FHSF) programme. The Conway Street/Europa Boulevard scheme also has an allocation of Active Travel Tranche 3 Funding.

The projects are both critical components of the regeneration of Birkenhead town centre, aiming to make the town centre more attractive through supporting improved accessibility and increasing active and sustainable travel movements.

Resolved – that,

1. The outcome of the Phase 1 consultation regarding the Conway Street/Europa Boulevard and the Charing Cross/Grange Road/Grange Road West scheme and associated officer comments which are included with Appendix 1 – 4 of this report be noted;

2. Delegated authority regarding the implementation of the Conway Street/Europa Boulevard scheme and the Grange Road/ Charing Cross/Grange Road West scheme be given to the Director of Neighbourhoods, following consultation with the Ward Members, Chair and Spokespersons of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee and the Environment, Transport and Climate Emergency Committee regarding the objections and expressions of support received during the Phase 2 consultation;

3. £1,625,000 of additional Active Travel Tranche 3 Funding to support the delivery of the Conway Street/Europa Boulevard scheme be accepted.

two stage consultation has been undertaken regarding the schemes, with the outcome of Phase 1 considered to be generally favourable. 88 people responded to the Conway Street/Europa Boulevard project and between 62.1% and 71.6% were in support of the various elements of the scheme. 154 people responded to the Grange Road/Charing Cross/Grange Road West and between 73.9% and 81.2% were in support of the various elements of the scheme.

Phase 2 statutory consultation for both schemes ran between 28 June 2023 and 19 July 2023. Given the time required to analyse the consultation responses and discuss with relevant Ward Councillors, Chairs and Spokespersons it has not been possible to present the outcome to the meeting of this committee at its July meeting. The next meeting of this Committee is 20 September 2023.

The deadline for the Future High Streets Funding and the Active Travel Tranche 3 funding is 31 March 2024 and therefore time is of the essence regarding the decision regarding the implementation of the scheme. Delegating authority to the Director of Neighbourhoods enables expedient decision making to support the projects to remain on programme.

In January 2023, the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee granted delegated powers to the Director of Regeneration and Place to approve the commencement of a procurement exercise (a mini tendering process) via the Procure Partnerships Framework for the appointment of a main contractor and subsequent appointment of a main contractor under a pre-construction services agreement following completion of a tender submission for various regeneration infrastructure projects, including the Conway Street/Europa Boulevard and the Grange Road/Charing Cross/Grange Road West. This tendering exercise has commenced and delegating authority to the Director of Neighbourhoods to consider the Phase 2 consultation outcome will, subject to implementation being approved, enable contractor appointment to be undertaken to support the projects to remain on programme.

The schemes are designed in accordance with the latest cycling design guidance to create an environment that is safe for both walking and cycling and to help embed walking and cycling as part of new long-term commuting habits and are funded via the Future High Streets Fund and Active Travel Tranche 3 Funding. The funding cannot be used for any other purpose.

The results of the Phase 2 consultation could be considered by the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee at its meeting on 20 September 2023. This is not considered appropriate as this would add delay into the programme where funding is required to be spent by March 2024. Should the schemes be approved for delivery award of contract to a contractor is required to be undertaken without delay in order to ensure funding deadlines are met.

A special meeting of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee could be arranged however given this would be over the summer holiday period availability of members may be limited, therefore this is not considered an appropriate option.

The Active Travel Funding Tranche 3 could not be accepted. This is not considered an appropriate option as the funding is required to mitigate against increasing costs in the construction industry since the original Future High Streets funding bid was submitted.