Decision details

Highways and Transport Programme 2023/24

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Staffordshire County Council 2023/24 highways and transport capital delivery programme is made up of asset management (including bridges) and integrated transport improvements. Funding for 2023/24 to deliver the capital programme is likely to come from a number of different sources including Government Capital Grant Block funding allocation for both maintenance and integrated transport, Section 106 contributions from developers and contributions from other grants and bids. The Cabinet Report will outline the approach to highway asset management in Staffordshire, an estimate of the level of investment required to maintain the condition of the local road network at an appropriate level, the funding available in 2023/24 for this purpose and the proposed Highways and Transport capital investment programme. Cabinet will be asked to consider the report and approve the Highways and Transport capital investment proposal that will be set out in the Report.

Decisions:

 

“Staffordshire’s huge road network is vital for keeping our county connected and its residents and businesses on the move.

 

Over the next two financial years the County Council is planning to invest an additional £30M to support our commitment to fix more roads.  This year will see a total of over £50 million invested in a range of major projects, vital local improvements, and general road maintenance. The additional investment being made by the County Council will enable five major road reconstruction schemes at key locations into our towns, the resurfacing of nine junctions/roundabouts, an extra 275,000 sq. m of preventative surface treatments and £1M of additional work to repair highway drainage.

 

We were also successful in securing £19.8M through the Levelling Up Fund for improvements to roads and bus and cycling routes in Staffordshire that will see investment in environmentally friendly buses and active travel between Stafford and Cannock, as well as significant investment around the A38 Branston interchange in Burton upon Trent.

 

However, we recognise that there is always more to be done and we continue to lobby central Government for the money necessary to keep Staffordshire’s roads in the condition we expect and ensure local communities and businesses can see the benefits of an improved highway network.”

 

David Williams, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

 

Reasons for the Decision – To consider approving the Highways and Transport capital investment proposals for 2023/24

 

Decision – (a) That the Highways and Transport capital investment proposal, as set out in the report and supporting appendices, be approved and that it be noted that, at the time of writing, the allocations from the Department for Transport have not been provided.

 

(b) That the additional investment of £20M by the County Council into highway maintenance to be delivered over the next two financial years (2023/24 and 2024/25), which when put together with the already approved £5M each year to support minor capital maintenance, makes a total investment of £30M over the next two financial years, be approved.

 

(c) That the progression of the programme of developer funded s.278/s111 highway improvement projects be approved and that authority be delegated to the Director of Economy, Infrastructure & Skills to agree the details of the works agreements and authorise the contracts for works to be entered into.

 

(d) The Assistant Director for Highways and the Built County monitors progress of the overall programme and be given delegated authority to make any in-year alterations and additions to the programme in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation.

Report author: James Bailey

Publication date: 16/03/2023

Date of decision: 15/03/2023

Decided at meeting: 15/03/2023 - Cabinet

Effective from: 22/03/2023

Accompanying Documents: