Purpose

In June 2024 a report relating to investment
in the Royal Victoria Docks Bridge was presented to Cabinet. The
decision made at Cabinet was subsequently called in by the Overview
& Scrutiny Committee.
 
This report makes updated recommendations to
Cabinet relating to investment in the Bridge. It will follow a
separate paper at the same Cabinet meeting which will provide the
Executives Response to Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Decision

For the reasons set out in this report and its
appendices, Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:
 
i) 
Approve the allocation of up to £6.9m towards the Royal
Victoria Docks Bridge. The amount will be allocated from Section
106 funding obtained in the Deed of Planning Obligation for the
Royal Wharf site. (Planning reference 15/00577/VAR);
 
ii) 
Approve the transfer of funding to the Silvertown Partnership (TSP)
in respect of the Council’s contribution (up to £6.9m)
towards the cost of the Royal Victoria Dock Bridge, subject to:
 
 
a) 
A full funding package being in place to deliver the Bridge.
b) 
A resolution at Strategic Development Committee on the Silvertown
Quays Hybrid Application
c) 
Any necessary approvals from the Competition and Markets Authority
(see Legal Implications)
d) 
A funding agreement being agreed with TSP, containing the necessary
clauses to protect the Council’s investment
 
iii) 
Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy,
Housing and Culture, in consultation with the Lead Member for
Inclusive Economy, Strategic Housing Delivery and Culture, to take
all necessary steps and to agree and enter into all relevant
agreements to facilitate the recommendations contained within this
report. 
 
Alternatives considered:
 
1) 
Invest in renewal and maintenance of the existing bridge with
RODMA. This option is not recommended as the existing bridge would
not be able to cope with anticipated demand. The stairs and lifts
needed to navigate the 14m level difference between dock side and
bridge deck also make the crossing impossible for many users when
the lifts are out of service, which is a frequent and long standing
operational and maintenance issue. 
Considering the anticipated growth in the local population over the
next decade (in Silvertown and surrounding developments), a new
step free pedestrian and cyclist crossing over the dock is
essential.
 
2) 
Invest the Royal Wharf s106 funding of £6.9m in alternative
projects that improve connectivity in the area. Alternative spends
within the Community Wealth Building Directorate were assessed as
part of this process and are there currently no other projects
identified within the directorate’s capital strategy that
would fit the criteria of this funding. The application of this
funding towards the Royal Victoria Dock Bridge has been discussed
with corporate leadership and accords with the Council’s
requirements in the deed as set out in Appendix 3.
 
 
3)  Do
nothing. The Council could choose not to contribute towards the
costs of the bridge; however, this would not be recommended given
the benefits outlined above. Not allocating funding towards the RVD
bridge would also present the following risks:
 
· 
If the bridge does not proceed there will be a significant impact
on connectivity for residents to the North and South of Victoria
Dock.
· 
TSP may seek to build a smaller bridge that would not allow for
anticipated demand from users outside of the Silvertown Quays
development. TSP would be required to return to the planning
authority for any alternative bridge scheme.
· 
The proposed economic benefits of wider regeneration may not be
delivered or be significantly delayed, impacting on wider
investment from public and private stakeholders.