Decision details

a)    Approved the route shown in Appendix B of the report as the new preferred route for the A509 Isham Bypass;

b)    Approved the proposal to undertake further public consultation and exhibition ahead of a new planning application;

c)    Noted the further work to be undertaken and permissions and funding obtained as set out in section 6 of this report. 

d)    Delegated to the Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets, in consultation with Executive Director for Place & Economy, Executive Member for Finance and the Executive Director for Finance, the authority to take any further decisions and/or actions required in connection with the procurement and award of a contract to provide professional services to support the delivery of the A509 Isham Bypass.

Reason for recommendations:

·         To tie the bypass into the improvements to the A509 being constructed by the Symmetry Park development.

·         To allow the public to see and have a comment on the proposals before the submission of the new planning application.

·         To ensure continued access to consultancy resource required for the development of the planning application and Outline Business Case, and any further similar work required as the scheme progresses.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         Maintaining the existing Preferred Route would mean that the improvements to the A509 being constructed by the Symmetry Park development were superseded.  That would be wasteful and lead to increased costs.

·         Not holding a further public consultation and exhibition would mean that the public would not have an opportunity to see and comment on the proposals before the submission of the planning application.

·         It is not feasible to progress with the planning application and Outline Business Case without the support of external professional services skilled and able to undertake the work.