Issue - meetings

AGREED that Cabinet:

a)       note the progress on the Newark Southern Link Road (SLR), including the pending receipt of tender returns from contractors to build the remainder of the SLR; and

b)       subject to the outcome of the tender returns, delegate authority to the Director -  Planning and Growth, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Strategy, Performance & Finance and Economic Development & Visitors to request Nottinghamshire County Council to provide an appropriate financial contribution to the Newark Southern Link Road (SLR).

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Visitors presented a report which provided an update on the funding and delivery of the Newark Southern Link Road (SLR), including updates to the Council’s Capital Program.

It was reported that government funds were now being released to the Council in agreed tranches as per the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Transport. Work had progressed at pace to ensure the SLR delivery was accelerated. This included securing amended detailed highway design and assembling a contractor package to present to market. The Director – Planning & Growth confirmed to the Cabinet that five tender documents had been returned which were now to be analysed.

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)        note the progress on the Newark Southern Link Road (SLR), including the pending receipt of tender returns from contractors to build the remainder of the SLR; and

b)       subject to the outcome of the tender returns, delegate authority to the Director - Planning & Growth, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Strategy, Performance & Finance and Economic Development & Visitors to request Nottinghamshire County Council to provide an appropriate financial contribution to the Newark Southern Link Road (SLR).

Reasons for Decision

To deliver the Newark SLR, addressing local congestion and unlocking significant growth in delivering the Middlebeck Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) including associated housing, employment, education, and open space in accordance with the Council’s Amended Core Strategy (2019) and Community Plan (2020-2023).

Options Considered

A range of options, over many years, have previously been explored to deliver the SLR (in full or in part) and its associated growth and congestion-reduction benefits. The funding package now in place represents the most viable option to accelerate delivery of the full SLR and associated growth.