To update the Board on the final list of prioritised schemes to be funded in part through the South East Midlands Local Transport Board funding allocation.   Please note that Appendix A is to follow.

The Board was advised about the correspondence received from the Department for Transport (DfT) with regard to the LTB funding allocation for local major transport projects from within the single Local Growth Fund.  The DfT had confirmed that the funding for the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) area between 2015/16 and 2018/19 through the Local Growth Fund was £14.7m which was a third less than the indicative allocation announced by the DfT in January 2013. 

SEMLEP would be able to bid for further funding through their Strategic Economic Plan.  This would mean that SEMLEP would need to work very closely with the South East Midlands Local Transport Board (SEMLTB).  It was noted that the area covered by the SEMLEP did not align with the same area that the SEMLTB covered.  DfT had confirmed that funding would be awarded to SEMLEP on the same geographical basis as used for the indicative allocations, rather than attempting to make any adjustment to reflect the geographical differences.

The Board considered Appendix A to the report and the JMP presentation that updated Members on the prioritisation of the transport schemes.  A revised map that showed the proposed schemes was tabled at the meeting.  JMP and Officers had collated further information on the shortlisted schemes since the last Board meeting on 21 June 2013.  JMP whilst drawing up the proposed final list of schemes had taken account of both Value for Money and deliverability.  Members noted that the three schemes in their report was £1m short of the £14.7M allocation and proposed two options; the Board could either increase the local contribution on some or all of these schemes or partly fund a fourth scheme.  There was discussion about these options and it was agreed to allocate the £1m for the preparation work for the A421 dualling and associated roundabouts.

There was an overall agreement that the recommended final transport schemes to be part funded through the LTB funding allocation were:

·        Woodside Link (£10m)

·        Bedford Western Bypass (£2.5m)

·        London Luton Airport surface access (£1.2m)

·        A421 dualling and associated roundabouts (£1m)

It was also agreed that the following additional schemes should also be recommended to the SEMLEP as a high priority to be included in the Strategic Economic Plan to enable them to bid for further funding:

• A421 dualling and associated roundabouts
• Bletchley Public Transport Interchange
• Central Milton Keynes Public Transport Interchange
• Milton Keynes Park and Ride
• Northern entrance to Luton Airport Parkway.

It was noted that the Highways Agency would be assessing and implementing schemes in relation to Trunk Roads and the M1 (from Junctions 13 – 19) that would also contribute to the improvement of the highway network in the LTB area.  It was also noted that Network Rails Plans to implement the western section of East West Rail between 2014-2019 would also improve the public transport network, and contribute to improved interchange at Bletchley.

RESOLVED

1.      that the final list of strategic transport schemes to be funded in part through the South East Midlands Local Transport Board funding allocation be approved in priority order as follows:

·        Woodside Link (£10m)

·        Bedford Western Bypass (£2.5m)

·        London Luton Airport surface access (£1.2m)

·        A421 dualling and associated roundabouts (£1m)

with the addition of the following schemes being recommended to the SEMLEP as a high priority to be included in the Strategic Economic Plan:

·        A421 dualling and associated roundabouts

·        Bletchley Public Transport Interchange

·        Central Milton Keynes Public Transport Interchange

·        Milton Keynes Park and Ride

·        Northern entrance to Luton Airport Parkway.

2.            to authorise the Chairman of the Board to submit the list of strategic transport schemes to the Department for Transport.