Issue - meetings

A report was received on the progress of the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Growth Deal schemes.

The overall programme totalled £174.1m which comprised £135.9m of Local Growth Fund (LGF) Deal funding; £36m of Business Rates Retention Pilot in 2018/19 and 2019/20; and £2.1m from the Getting Building Fund for two transport schemes.  In relation to the GBF funding it was noted that the Slough Langley High Street Phase 3 which had now received full financial approval as the conditions agreed by BLTB in November 2020 had been met.  The use of the remaining £450,000 would be considered in a report later on the agenda.

Members had previously requested a more detailed breakdown of the types of schemes in Table 3 of the report to clarify the spend on sustainable transport schemes.  A more detailed table was tabled which showed that £6.9m of LGF had been invested directly into cycle projects.  It was noted that several other schemes included improvements to sustainable transport modes.  The detailed breakdown would be included in future reports.

BLTB reviewed each of the uncompleted schemes and noted as follows:

2.01 Newbury: Kings Road Link Road – the completion date had been delayed due to planning issues and was now due to be December 2021.

2.05 Newbury: Sandleford Park – the scheme was ahead of schedule and was expected to be completed by late August 2021.

2.06 Reading: Green Park Railway Station – construction was due to be completed by October 2021 but it wasn’t expected to open to the public until 2022 due to Network Rail processes.  The scheme promoter would continue to discuss these directly with rail partners to open the station as soon as possible.

2.16 Maidenhead Station Access – update noted.  The scheme was rated ‘green’ and was due to be completed in August 2021.

2.23 Reading: South Reading MRT Phases 3 and 4 – update noted. 

2.24 Newbury: Railway Station improvements – there had been some delays but good progress was now being made, including that work on the northern cycle hub was underway.  A planning application had been submitted for the business units.

2.27 Maidenhead Town Centre:  Missing Links – the scheme was expected to be completed in October 2021.

2.29 Wokingham: Winnersh Triangle Park and Ride – some delays had been experienced due to a change of contractor, however, it was now due for completion in January 2022.

2.31 Slough: Stoke Road Area Regeneration – work on the station forecourt had commenced earlier in the week and other detailed work had taken place with completion due by March 2022.

2.32 Maidenhead: Housing Sites Enabling Works Phase 1 – completion was expected by November 2021. 

2.35 Reading West Station Upgrade – the programme was on track.

2.36 Wokingham: Coppid Beach Park and Ride – update noted. 

2.37 Bracknell: A322 A329 Corridor Improvements – update noted. 

2.38 Theale Station Park and Ride Upgrade – an agreement had been reached with Thames Water on an outstanding issue and progress was being made.

2.40 Windsor: Town Centre Package – completion was due by December 2021. 

2.45 Slough Langley High Street Phase 1 – the scheme was on track.

BRRP Scheme:  2.34 Slough MRT Phase 2 (BRRP) – the scheme promoter stated that some issues had arisen with the original plans for the park and ride element of the scheme and they were in discussions with the LEP about potential alternative proposals.  The LEP would work with SBC and come back to BLTB with a revised business case.

GBF Scheme: Slough Langley High Street Phase 3 – completion had been delayed but was still expected to be begin the GBF requirements.

A Member asked for assurance that the recent Section 114 Notice issued by Slough Borough Council not impact on their funding contributions to schemes in the programme.  The SBC Officer confirmed that the capital programme had been reviewed and funding for schemes in the programme had been retained.  The Section 151 Officer of RBWM (the LEP accountable body) provided assurance that there was regular dialogue between Section 151 Officers with Slough BC to monitor the position.

At the conclusion of the discussion the report was noted.

Resolved –  That the progress made on the schemes previously given programme entry status, as set out in the accompanying summary report, be noted.