Purpose

This
report forms part of the previously approved process to secure MCF
funding, that, like other reprioritised MCF schemes, forms part of
a North Active Travel Corridor spanning from the M60 Junction 7 via
Talbot Road through to Salford and onto Manchester via the A56 Old
Chester Road to the Cornbrook
Junction.
 
The
report summarises the outcomes of the consultation of the proposed
improvements and to recommend that the proposed scheme and progress
to detailed design stage and, subject to all necessary MCF business
case approvals, proceed to delivery as per programme of
works.

Decision

a)   
That the content and findings of the presentation
and consultation report be noted.

 
b)   
That the Executive Member notes that the scheme,
incorporating enhancements following input from the consultation,
be progressed to detailed design, and thereafter subject to all
necessary MCF business case approvals, proceed to
delivery.
 
c)   
That the programme as set out in Section 3 of the
report, be noted.
 
d)   
That the Executive Member delegates authority to the
Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Director of
Finance and Systems, to negotiate and finalise the grant funding
agreements, construction contracts and any other contracts or
documents required to implement the decision.
 
e)   
That the Executive Member delegates authority to the
Director of Legal and Governance to enter any contracts or other
documents requires to implement this decision.

Reasons for the decision

It
is recommended that the A56 Phase 2 from the M60 Junction 7 to
Talbot Road scheme progress to detailed design stage and, subject
to all necessary MCF business case approvals, proceed to delivery
as it supports Trafford’s objectives of providing alternative
sustainable active travel modes of transport being used across the
Borough that will benefit health and wellbeing and air
quality.

Alternative options considered

The
alternative options would include retaining the existing temporary
cones on the A56 and continuing to incur the costs of maintaining
the infrastructure and negative perceptions of having an
incomplete, non-compliant cycle scheme. A second alternative would
involve removing the scheme altogether; this would risk forfeiting
the road space for active travel, potentially limiting future
uses.
 
Both
alternatives are missed opportunities to achieve the outcomes as
stated in the councils Walking, Wheeling, and Cycling strategy of
improving infrastructure and support towards reducing carbon
emissions. They would also impact on Trafford’s reputation
for securing future funding bids for other MCF grant Active Travel
opportunities.