Agenda item

To consider the proposals to provide a new gateway entrance to the south of Crewe town centre via a new pedestrian and cycleway linking High Street and Forge Street.

The Committee considered a report on the proposals for the Southern Gateway Pedestrian and Cycleway Connectivity Scheme to provide a new gateway entrance to the south of Crewe town centre via a new pedestrian and cycleway linking High Street and Forge Street.

The Committee asked what proposals would be in place to enable pedestrians to cross the main road network around Mill Street.  In response it was explained that as part of the scheme there would be a wide central crossing at the roundabout splitter island on Mill Street and the existing crossings would be retained.  It would not be possible to put a signal-controlled crossing at that location due to the high traffic flow and congestion at the junction.  

It was also asked if there were any statistics on how many accidents to pedestrians in this area.  It was reported that this had not been highlighted in the transport assessment as an issue and that the figure would be provided to the committee members.

Concerns were raised about antisocial behaviour in the area of the proposed pedestrian and cycleway and it was asked that safety and lighting be addressed in the planning application to ensure a safe route for people to walk and cycle to the town centre.

RESOLVED (unanimously) :  That the Committee

1          note the findings of the public consultation exercise as set out in the Engagement Report, at appendix 1 to the report.

2          delegate authority to the Head of Estates, in consultation with the Director of Governance and Compliance and the Chief Financial Officer, to:

2.1       take all action necessary for the acquisition, extinguishment or otherwise rendering ineffective any third-party interests over the Scheme land or to appropriate such land so as to come within the provisions of Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

2.2       release or procure the release of any rights, covenants, and other interests over the Scheme land insofar as it has the right to do so and provided that such release would not put the Council in breach of any obligations to a third party or parties.

3          approve the development of a CPO pursuant to section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to acquire the land and interests in respect land required for the Scheme and pursuant and Schedule 3 of the Acquisitions of Land Act 1981 and all other powers as appropriate for the purpose of acquiring the land and new rights for the purpose of facilitating the development, redevelopment, and improvement of the land by way of highway and public realm works.

4          authorise the Head of Estates to:

4.1       negotiate and agree terms to seek to acquire the land and rights (or extinguish the same) required for the Scheme by agreement and to instruct the Director of Governance and Compliance to negotiate and enter into the legal agreements necessary to facilitate any such agreements.

4.2       negotiate and approve the payment of any relevant and reasonable professional fees incurred by landowners and others with compensatable interests in taking professional advice in connection with the acquisition of their interests required for the Scheme.

5          delegate to the Head of Infrastructure the authority to negotiate and enter into all necessary agreements in connection with the relocation of a sprinkler system water tank.