Purpose

Delivery of Phase 1 of the South East
Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR)

Content

Cabinet received a report on the South East Aylesbury Link Road
(SEALR) project, that involved the construction of approximately
1.1 miles of dual carriageway that would join the A413 Wendover
Road with the B4443 Lower Road and the Stoke Mandeville Relief Road
(SMRR). The project was being delivered as one project but in two
phases. SEALR was part of the Aylesbury Orbital Link Road, which
was a key infrastructure requirement to support the planned growth
of Aylesbury and mitigate the impact of HS2.
 
The
project had secured planning permission and external funding from
various sources, including the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF),
HS2, and the Department for Transport (DfT). The project had
completed early works and started the construction of the
roundabout junctions on Wendover Road (A413) and Lower Road
(B4443). The main construction works were expected to commence in
July 2024 and complete by Summer 2026.
 
The
project costs for SEALR Phase 1 and Phase 2 had increased
significantly due to inflation and other factors. The report
proposed to address the funding gap by reallocating savings from
the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) Aylesbury Grid Reinforcements
project and reducing the available HIF funding for the Woodlands
development and the Eastern Link Road South. The report also
recommended forward funding and underwriting the Department for
Transport (DfT) contribution to mitigate the financial and
programme risks of any delay in funding approval.
 
Approval was sought from Cabinet to adjust the capital budgets
and release funding for SEALR Phase 1 and SEALR Phase 2. In
addition, the report sought the necessary delegations to enable the
Corporate Director for Communities and the Corporate Director for
Planning Growth and Sustainability, in consultation with the Leader
to proceed with the delivery of the main works for SEALR Phase
1.
 
This would enable the phased
delivery of the South East Aylesbury Link Road, within required
timeframes to achieve the intended programme and to give effect to
the Previous Council Decisions.
 
As part of their deliberations,
Cabinet also considered in confidential session the confidential
information and appendices that were part of the agenda.
 
RESOLVED –

 

(1)            
That the following
increases in the SEALR budget be APPROVED, as set out in the
confidential Appendix B and Appendix D

(a)     
SEALR Phase 1 from
£97,933,819 to £122,715,890.

(b)    
SEALR Phase 2 from
£16,788,869 to £25,225,052

 

(2)            
That the release of
the revised budget for SEALR Phase 2 of £25.2m be APPROVED,
as set out in Confidential Appendix B and Appendix
D.

 

(3)            
That the release of
the revised budget for SEALR Phase 1 of £122.7m be APPROVED,
as set out in Confidential Appendix B and Appendix D, subject to
Homes England approval and HS2 Funding
Agreements.
 

(4)            
That the following
reductions in the Woodlands/Eastern Link Road South budget be
APPROVED, as set out in Confidential Appendix B and subject to
Homes England approval:

(a)     
The permanent
reduction of £11,727,127 of the available HIF
funding.

(b)    
The reduction of
£13,472,000 of the available HIF funding to forward fund and
underwrite SEALR Phase 1, pending the final approval of the
business case by the Department for
Transport.

 

(5)            
That the previous
decisions to acquire the land, rights, and interests for SEALR
Phase 1 be RATIFIED, noting the increased risks set out in
Confidential Appendix A and the revised budget in Confidential
Appendix B.

 

(6)            
That authority be
delegated to the Corporate Director for Communities and the
Corporate Director for Planning, Growth and Sustainability, in
consultation with the Leader:
(a)     
To proceed with the
delivery of the main works for SEALR Phase 1, noting the risks set
out in the Confidential Appendix B.
(b)   
To take all
necessary steps including to enter into any associated agreements,
contracts or licenses required associated with the delivery and
funding of SEALR Phase 1.