Agenda and minutes

The BLTB considered a report on the progress of the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Growth Deal, with particular reference to the schemes included in the Transport Packages of the Strategic Economic Plan.

The report summarised the financial position for the transport schemes in the TVB Growth Deal with £14.725m available in 2015/16 and a provisional £87.375m between 2016/17 to 2020/21.  Confirmation on funding beyond 2015/16 was expected from the Government later this year.  Members noted the risk rating of those schemes due to start in 2015/16, four were rated ‘green’ and three were ‘amber’ with no significant concerns about any of the schemes.

The BLTB considered the detailed progress report on each of the programme entry schemes as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.  Verbal updates were provided on any significant or additional issues since publication of the agenda:

• 2.01 Newbury:  Kings Road Link Road – update noted.

• 2.02 Bracknell:  Warfield Link Road – update noted.

• 2.03 Newbury:  London Road Industrial Estate – update noted.  West Berkshire Council were meeting on 20^th July, not 2^nd July as stated, to determine whether to proceed with the CPO process.

• 2.04.2 Wokingham:  North Wokingham Distributor Road, 2.04.3 Wokingham: South Wokingham Distributor Road and 2.04.4: Arborfield Relief Road – update noted.  Clarification was sought on the mechanism for securing S106 or Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding.  This was explained and it was confirmed that if early delivery of the road encouraged developers to bring sites forward and funding, any unused LEP/Local Growth Deal funding would go into the unallocated amount and be available for redistribution to other schemes.

• 2.05 Newbury: Sandleford Park – update noted.

• 2.06 Reading: Green Park Railway Station – planning permission from Reading Borough Council and West Berkshire Council had been secured.  The importance of links to nearby strategic development locations and promoting pedestrian and cycle access was discussed.  Network Rail’s decision to prioritise the electrification of the Great Western Mainline at a time when other such schemes would be delayed was noted.

• 2.07 Bracknell: Coral Reef Roundabout – work was progressing ahead of schedule.

• 2.08 Slough: Rapid Transit Phase 1, 2.10 Slough: A332 Improvements and 2.17 Slough: A355 Route – schemes were out to tender with work due to start in September 2015.  In response to a question, the scheme promoter confirmed they were confident the delivery timetable was on track.

• 2.09.1 Sustainable Transport NCN 44 – West Berkshire Council were leading and acting as client for the work.  Detailed work on the business case was ongoing.

• 2.09.2 Sustainable Transport A4 Cycle Route with Bucks – update noted.

• 2.11 and 2.12 Reading:  South Reading MRT phases 1 and 2 – the business case was on track to be considered by BLTB in November 2015.

• 2.13 Reading: Eastern Park and Ride – the scheme was on track, working towards planning permission early in 2016.  Positive discussions had taken place regarding the land ownership issues.

• 2.14 Reading: East Reading MRT – the scheme had been re-profiled to align with the latest funding profile agreed with central Government.

• 2.15 Bracknell: Martins Heron Roundabout – update noted.

• 2.16 Maidenhead: Station Access – a development manager had been appointed to bring the scheme together with rail providers.

• 2.19 Bracknell:  Town Centre Regeneration Infrastructure Improvements – update noted.

• 2.21 Slough: Langley Station Access Improvements – progress had been effected by the HS2 proposal to relocate the Heathrow Express Depot from Old Oak Common to land near Langley Station.  Discussions were being sought with Network Rail.

• 2.22 Slough: Burnham Station Access Improvements – detailed scheme development was ongoing and an experimental order would trial some of the traffic management measures later in the year.

Resolved –  The progress made on schemes given programme entry status, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted.