Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: Cabinet;

1.     Received the results of the recent consultation on the A422 Farthinghoe Bypass and agreed the timescales for further work

REASONS:

·       To progress the delivery of the A422 Farthinghoe Bypass, which is a priority scheme for the Council.

·       The recommendation reflects the results of the consultation and scheme assessment work and the need to examine the points raised in the detailed consultation comments in more detail.

·       The timescales for further work are based on the processes to be followed to gain statutory and funding approval for a major highway scheme.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

1.     Following the identification of funding to progress the scheme by the former County Council and South Northamptonshire Council, further work to develop four northern route options was undertaken in 2020.

2.     A plan showing the four northern route options, with the 2016 southern route included for comparison, can be found at Appendix A of the report.

3.     A Scheme Assessment Report provided a technical overview of the routes. The desktop environmental impact assessment showed that the impacts of the four northern routes were very close:

·       Northern Routes V0 and V1 scored best on Landscape impacts

·       Northern Route V1 scored worse than the other routes on Materials Waste impacts

·       Northern Route V3 scored best on Road Drainage – Groundwater Impact

·       Northern Route V0 scored worst on Road Drainage Flood Risk/Surface Water impacts

Overall Northern Routes V0 and V3 scored slightly better than routes V1 and V2.

4.     The Scheme Assessment Report can be found on the website at

https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/northamptonshire-highways/majorhighway-projects/Pages/a422-farthinghoe-bypass-consultation.aspx

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DECLARED AND DISPENSATIONS GRANTED: None

At the Chairman’s invitation Councillor Phil Larratt presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. The committee was informed that there had been clear support for the bypass, specifically the northern route, and this had been shared with local ward members. The paper outlined the next steps and the issues that were raised during consultation. Lessons had been learned and the project had been undertaken in a robust, safe and sensible way and would not be rushed. Once the route is agreed then a business case would be developed, with the opening estimated for 2028. Officers had been asked to consider interim options due to it being a dangerous area with narrow roads and footpaths, this could also help with the business case and could add to the economic case. The committee was assured that every opportunity was being taken to secure investment.

Councillor Adam Brown noted that the timescales were frustrating but that Cabinet and WNC were putting their whole weight behind it.

Councillors made the following comments.

·         The bypass was important and it was good to see interim measures were being looked at.

·         It was noted that the report had stated that costs could rise, this had been laid out for people to see easily.

·         Could WNC also look at other areas where roads had outlived their purpose?

Councillor Phil Larratt agreed that it was important to be honest about costs and that further information should be available in about a months’ time.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet;received the results of the recent consultation on the A422 Farthinghoe Bypass and agreed the timescales for further work.