Purpose

The Transport Strategy Team are progressing an update of the Council’s Multi-Modal Transport Model.

The model needs to be updated, with accurate traffic-flow data and growth scenarios, to enable the Council to understand the impact of future growth, development proposals and transport schemes delivered in Southend, the city and beyond.

The required funding allocation has been identified and submitted to January Cabinet and Full Council.

Members are asked to note and approve the requirement for officers to undertake a tender process and award the modelling contract through delegated authority to Executive and Director level.

Decision

1) That the procurement of a contract for a Multi-Modal Transport Model (MMTM) be approved and;

2) Authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Environment and Place to award the Multi-Modal Transport Model (MMTM) contract in accordance with the outcome of the procurement exercise.

Reasons for the decision

The existing MMTM needs to be updated in accordance with the Department for Transport’s (DfT) guidance. The current model is based on 2018 data and therefore the model needs to be updated with current traffic data and growth scenarios.

This will ensure compliance with the DfT’s Transport Appraisal Guidance (TAG) to enable the Council to understand the impact of future growth, development proposals and major transport schemes and how they can be delivered in Southend and beyond to align with the Council’s emerging Fourth Local Transport Plan (LTP4) and our strategic direction for transport. Many large-scale development applications are being submitted, and the model is used to assess the potential impact developments have on the highway network. The model is also used to secure DfT funding for major transport schemes.

Alternative options considered

To not procure and appoint a transport modelling consultancy and undertake the work internally. The expertise required to update and maintain a transport model is not currently available in the Council and does not give value for money.