Purpose

This is a decision to instruct Volker Highways
to undertake construction works for Bath Quays Links, following
approval of the full business case by the Mayoral Combined
Authority (WECA).

Decision

(a) 
To agree that
B&NES should accept the funding provided by the Mayoral
Combined Authority and approve the spend of £3.849m to be
funded from:
 
(1) 
£1.099.5m WECA
Investment Funding
 
(2) 
£1.859.5m CRSTS
funding
 
(3) 
£415k WECA Early
Works funding
 
(4) 
£475k BANES
match funding.
 
(b) 
To delegate approval
to the Executive Director of Sustainable Communities, in
consultation with the S151 officer, to accept the Grant Offer
Letter (GOL) from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
when it is received.

Reasons for the decision

Objectives achieved as part of the project
include:
 
· 
Deliver priority
infrastructure in Bath City Centre for pedestrians, cyclists and
other non-motorised users.
 
· 
Improve safety within
the city centre, particularly for
vulnerable users, by enhancing accessibility and reducing the
potential for conflict between walking, wheeling, cycling, public
transport, and private vehicles.
 
Positively contribute to a
reduction in transport-related emissions, and an improvement in air
quality within the city centre, helping Bath to achieve
net-zero carbon by 2030.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option is to wait until a Grant Offer
Letter is received in full from the
Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA). This 12-week process, in addition
to the call-in period following the decision, will conclude in
November 2025.
 
Following this, a six-week mobilisation period will be needed before
works can start on site.
 
This will delay the construction start date until January
2026 and would further impact traffic
mitigation measures planned for all
other schemes due to begin construction in early 2026.
 
The final option is not to proceed. However, with allocated
funding and a political commitment to deliver the scheme, it is
agreed that this scheme should be progressed within the current
timeframes outlined by the MCA for delivery.