Purpose

As stipulated by Government guidance, the awarded Active Travel Fund must deliver schemes that provide:
•better streets for cycling and people
•put cycling and walking at the heart of decision-making
•empowering and encouraging local authorities to enable this
•enabling people to cycle and protecting them when they do
The Department for Transport (DfT) requires all funded schemes to adhere to published design guidance, policies and plans otherwise the Department reserves the right to reduce

Decision

That approval is given to progress with the consultation and delivery of the Active Travel Fund scheme along the A461 between Peake Drive and Great Bridge as shown on drawing No. 52632 1/1 S/0 (attached) and in accordance with the funding agreement with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). This includes consulting with relevant Ward Members, undertaking community engagement, statutory consultation and undertaking the necessary framework procurements for construction and delivery.
That a further report be considered by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways, if required, to consider any unresolved objections prior to delivery commencing.

Reasons for the decision

Sandwell Council in coordination with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) submitted a bid to Government for Active Travel Fund Tranche 3 funding for a cycling and walking scheme along the A461 from Peake Drive and Great Bridge in accordance with the funding guidelines which stipulated that only those schemes which aim to deliver high quality, off road, segregated cycle lanes, new footways and pedestrian crossings in accordance with national cycle design standards would receive funding. This scheme aims to deliver high quality cycle and pedestrian infrastructure measures to improve accessibility by active modes to the tram stops along the A461 for the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro Extension. Sandwell was successful in receiving the full funding requested to implement the scheme in accordance with the funding guidelines.
The Funding Grant Agreement between West Midlands Combined Authority and Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council stipulates that the project should be completed by the 30th June 2024. Approval to progress with the project will ensure that the scheme is completed on time and within the budget and to ensure that funding guidelines are met so that the risk of the funding being withdrawn is minimised

Alternative options considered

The options submitted for funding approval as part of the ATF3 submission to Central Government must be implemented. Any alternative options will not be funded as part of the Active Travel Fund 3 and there is a risk of funding being withheld should local authorities not meet the criteria set out in the funding guidelines and initial submission documents and proposals.