Issue - meetings

                  Report by the Service Director for Highways and Transport.

The Leader drew Cabinet’s attention to a statement from Cllr Steve Bucknell, Chairman of the Economic Development Working Group of Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council which expressed strong support for the two Royal Wootton Bassett schemes; namely the Royal Wootton Bassett railway station and the Royal Wootton Bassett Transport Package.

Cllr Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet member for Economy, Skills and Transport presented a report which asked Cabinet to approve a shortlist of potential major transport schemes to be considered by the Swindon & Wiltshire Local Transport Body (SWLTB) for prioritisation by July 2013. This was in accordance with the new system introduced by the Department for Transport for prioritising and funding local major transport schemes. The indicative funding level for the SWLTB for 2015/16 to 2018/19 was £16.9 million which it was noted could be subject to any future Government spending reviews. This Council’s representatives on the SWLTB would be Cllrs Fleur de Rhé-Philipe and Cllr Toby Sturgis.

A long list of 70 major transport schemes had been identified and subjected to the sifting process outlined in the submitted SWLTB assurance framework.  As a result, ten potential major transport schemes had now been shortlisted.

Strategic Outline Business Cases (or equivalent) would be completed for each of the shortlisted schemes to provide the required evidence for the prioritisation process.

Cllr Mollie Groom circulated a statement in which she stated that she did not regard the present proposal for Junction 16 as an improvement.

Cllr Jon Hubbard was disappointed that the Melksham signal improvements had not been shortlisted due to the lack of an hourly TransWilts service. It was noted that separate meetings between officers and Duncan Hames MP with First Great Western had been arranged and it was agreed to update Cabinet following these meetings.

It was also suggested to circulate a briefing note to local members by way of Melksham Area Board, and to seek advice from the Department for Transport on how the process could be aligned to allow for the reprioritisation of major transport schemes should this become necessary as a consequence of a substantial change in circumstances.

A number of the schemes proposed for inclusion were discussed during debate as well as some which did not make the short list. It was accepted that there should be a degree of flexibility in being able to reprioritise in the light of any substantially changed circumstances.

Resolved:

1)    That Cabinet approve the shortlist of potential major transport schemes as follows to be considered by the Swindon & Wiltshire Local Transport Body for prioritisation by July 2013:

·         A350 Chippenham Bypass Dualling

·         A350 North of Chippenham Dualling

·         A350 West Ashton Relief Road

·         A350 Yarnbrook Relief Road

·         A36 Southampton Road Improvement

·         Corsham Station

·         M4 Junction 16 Improvements

·         Royal Wootton Bassett Station

·         Westbury Additional Platform

·         Wilton Station

Reason for Proposal

To provide a shortlist of major transport schemes to be considered by the SWLTB.