Issue - meetings

To provide an update on development and delivery of the Council’s major capital transport infrastructure projects and invite comment/questions from the Scrutiny panel.

Contact:  Ilyas Ramjan, Interim Head of Major Projects and Paul Davis Strategic Partnership Lead, PMO.  Tel: 01484 221000

Cllr Moses Crook, introduced the agenda item, advising the Panel that the information being presented is an update on the various schemes within the transport capital programme, which are at various stages of development or delivery with some schemes paused at various stages awaiting funding opportunities. These capital schemes are often complex to design, and can be several years in development, however, it is essential that there is this pipeline of work underway in order to benefit from all funding opportunities as they arise.

The Panel was informed that the complexity of the programme increased significantly due to the impact of Covid, and the substantial rise in national construction costs. As a result, the programme was reprofiled to maximise delivery of the highest number of schemes without compromising quality or resorting to value engineering.

There remains a strong focus on active travel and modal shift, prioritising health, environmentally sustainable transport, inclusivity, and improvements to the public realm. Current projects in development reflect the priorities first set out in the Active Travel Interim Position Statement and now embedded within the recently adopted Kirklees Transport Strategy. Further opportunities to adjust paused or pipeline schemes in line with these evolving priorities may also deliver additional benefits in these areas.

David Wildman, Service Director for Skills and Regeneration, advised the Panel that the intention is to present an annual report through the democratic process. The report will review achievements, progress made, the current position, and outline future direction.

The Panel was reminded that a similar report has been presented over the past two years, outlining transport infrastructure projects funded primarily through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). While not covering the entire highways capital programme, the report details the projects, their current status, and progress. Some schemes have been completed and are now in evaluation, others are on site, and several are well developed and nearing commencement. The programme includes a range of complex schemes at varying stages of delivery.

The Panel was informed that pipelined projects remain a priority and there is an ambition to deliver them, however, at present, there is no funding associated for their delivery. When funding becomes available, the intention is to align these pipelined schemes and emerging priorities with the resources secured.

In response to the report and the information presented, panel members, Cllr Martyn Bolt, Mr Chas Ball, Mr Jeff Keenlyside and Cllr Imran Safdar asked a number of questions and made comments including some of the following:

Cllr Martyn Bolt outlined a few matters he wanted to highlight in the appended report.  He stated that there appeared to be a lack of strategic overview for developing projects particularly with regards to the delivery of active travel.  There has been a general awareness for approximately four years of the development of the Transpennine route upgrade rail programme and the implications that would have for active travel, including the closure of a bridge over a live railway line at Deighton called Collier Bridge. An alternative was identified which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24