Agenda item

 Report of the Chief Executive to follow.

Cllr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste, Street Scene and Flooding introduced the report reviewing the response to the public consultation on the options for the A350 Melksham Bypass scheme and the further assessment work recently undertaken, and to approve further consultation on a short list of options.

The Cabinet received questions from Janet Giles, Andrew Nicolson and Alan Baines in relation to this report. In addition, Andrew Nicolson and Alan Baines read out statements at the meeting. A copy of the statements are available to read in an updated agenda supplement 2 on the Council’s website here.

Supplementary questions were received from Andrew Nicolson about the urgency claims for the new bypass and potential for new employment opportunities.  In responding to the supplementary questions, Cllr McClelland and Cllr Richard Clewer explained that (i) the Council’s Transport Strategy encourages modal shift, however the Council needed to be realistic, especially in relation to the transport options for rural communities. Cllr McClelland also highlighted the Governments priority to improve links to the south coast and M4, with the A350 being key to this priority; and (ii) in referring to the national transport strategy, evidence indicates that investment in transport helps the economy of the country.

Questions were also submitted by Charmian Spickernell in relation to this report, although they were received after the deadline for  questions. Cllr Clewer explained that all questions had received a written response which were published prior to the meeting in Agenda Supplement 2 on the Council’s website here.

Cllr McClelland reported that the A350 Melksham Bypass is a Large Local Major scheme which has been awarded development funding by the Department of Transport (DfT) to take it to Outline Business Case stage. It would be a major improvement to the important A350 route which provided vital transport links between the M4, the towns of western Wiltshire and the south coast. A range of options for the scheme were the subject of a public consultation earlier in the year and these had helped to develop the scheme further, in order to prepare a short list of options for further consultation.

Cabinet noted that a sifting process has been undertaken to identify the most suitable options for further consultation.  In addition to the most suitable options, the report detailed the reasons why certain routes were discounted.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group highlighted the need for positive mitigation measures to be employed and for an effective consultation to take place which was reflective of the wishes of the local community.

Cllr Jon Hubbard expressed surprise that the report only highlighted one option for further consultation, giving the impression that a decision had already been made and that future contributions may not be takin into account. He felt that issues if congestion will remain, although pollution levels will be eased due to new technologies being introduced for vehicles.  He asked if the proposal to explore the possibility of improving walking and cycling facilities could be included in any agreed schemes.  Cllr McClelland confirmed that this was acceptable and should be included as part of any future scheme.

Cllr Clare Cape raised issues about the potential for carbon reduction on the proposed schemes. In response, Cllr McClelland explained that further development including detailed analysis of any scheme was necessary and carbon reduction issues would be considered at that stage.

Following a question from Cllr Gordon King, Cllr McClelland confirmed that a reduction in journey times was the primary criteria of any scheme that was implemented.

Resolved:

i.               The response to the initial public consultations and the views of the town and local parish councils are noted and taken into account in the scheme development.

ii.             The following options should not be included in the short list of options for further consultation for the reasons set out in the report:

·       Non-road options (Options 1 to 6)

·       Improvement of the existing road (Options 7a, 7b and 7c)

·       Western routes (Options 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b and 9c

·       Short eastern routes (Options 10a and 10b)

·       Longest eastern route (Option 10d) and its variants

iii.            Further public consultation should be undertaken on a short list of options comprising the long eastern route (Option 10c) and alternative alignments at the northern end which may be feasible.

iv.            The possibility of improving walking and cycling facilities in conjunction with the scheme or separately should continue to be explored.

v.             The views of the public, town and parish councils, Area Board and other organisations should be obtained on the short list of options in order to inform the future development of the scheme.

Reason for decision:

The A350 Melksham Bypass is a Large Local Major scheme which has been awarded development funding by the DfT to take it to OBC stage. It will be a major improvement to the important A350 route which provides vital transport links between the M4, the towns of western Wiltshire and the south coast.

As part of the development of the scheme various options were consulted on. In order to inform the further development of the scheme, it is proposed to adopt a short list of feasible options for further consideration and consultation. The preferred route will need to meet the transport objectives and the DfT requirements in order to be awarded funding.

The proposed consultations with the public, town and parish councils, the Area Board and other organisations, will inform the development of the scheme, and assist  in preparing an OBC to submit to the DfT.