The Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel met on Friday 15 May 2026 to discuss progress on developer-funded highways infrastructure and the Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP) Phase 3. Key decisions included the implementation of new IT systems to track developer applications and a commitment to improve communication with local members and residents regarding roadworks.

Progress Against Recommendations of the Developer-Funded Highways Infrastructure Scrutiny Task Group

The panel received an update on the progress made following the Developer-Funded Highways Infrastructure Scrutiny Task Group's report, which was adopted by Cabinet in November 2023. Significant progress has been made in implementing the 21 recommendations.

A new IT system, MasterGov, has been implemented, allowing developers to submit applications online and track their progress. This system also provides enhanced reporting functionality for council officers, aiding in the oversight of scheme progress and providing workflow triggers for timely action. The Streetscape Design Guide has been updated and published, with developer workshops planned to ensure a Right First Time approach to submissions.

A new Highways Development Management & Control Manager is now in post, providing unified leadership and improving collaboration between the Highways Development Control and Highways Development Management teams. Processes such as pre-application engagement and Early Technical Assessment have been introduced to address timescales and offer early advice to applicants.

The backlog of schemes has been reviewed and assessed, with actions taken to resolve and complete them. This includes contacting developers for dormant schemes and implementing mandatory fields in MasterGov to improve submission quality. A fee review has also been conducted to ensure the service remains cost-neutral.

The panel was informed that future updates on the progress of these recommendations will continue to be provided as part of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny performance reports.

Progress Update on Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP) Phase 3

The panel received a progress update on Phase 3 of the Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP), which aims to prepare the highway network for future growth in Bromsgrove by improving key junctions, reducing congestion, and supporting sustainable travel.

Phase 3, which commenced construction in January 2024, includes six junction upgrades, three active travel schemes, and bus stop infrastructure improvements along the A38 corridor. Scheme A, the A38/Hanbury Turn, is complete. Most other junction improvement schemes, including those at Brunsford Drive, Stoke Road, New Road, and the M42 Junction 1, are under construction. Active travel schemes and bus shelter upgrades are also progressing.

The total budget for Phase 3 is just under £49.7 million, primarily funded by the Department for Transport, with contributions from Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and developer funding. Approximately £31.1 million has been spent to date.

Challenges and Lessons Learned:

• Utility Infrastructure: A significant challenge has been encountering uncharted utility infrastructure, which has led to work stoppages for redesign and safety assessments. Lessons learned include the need for enhanced early investigative works, trial holes, and programme contingency, as well as the importance of the upcoming government initiative to digitise utility records.
• Journey Time Delays: The programme has experienced significant congestion and disruption due to multiple sites being under construction concurrently. Lessons learned emphasize the need for proactive and flexible scheduling, re-sequencing of works, robust escalation processes with utility providers, and ongoing monitoring to manage delays and minimise cumulative disruption.
• Communication: While engagement with local members, residents, and businesses has been maintained, it is acknowledged that communications have not always been as effective as intended. Lessons learned highlight the importance of a clear communication cascade, a no surprises approach for councillors and the public, and providing a single point of contact with defined response times.
• Ecology: The programme forecasts the removal of up to 841 trees, with a commitment to replace them on a two-for-one basis. Lessons learned include providing clear communication on tree removal and replanting proposals early in the engagement phase.
• Regent's Park Road: The introduction of a priority give-way system caused initial concern. Lessons learned emphasize the need for clear and visible communication to explain temporary impacts and how interim arrangements contribute to long-term outcomes.

Phase 4: Some elements originally planned for Phase 3 were deferred due to rising costs and budget caps. These may be delivered as part of a potential future Phase 4, subject to securing additional government funding.

Actions and Recommendations:

The panel noted the following actions and recommendations:

• Confirmation of the completion date for Oakalls Roundabout.
• Confirmation of the start and completion dates for Oakalls Roundabout.
• Confirmation of the date for the outdoor play area for Regent's Park Road.
• Confirmation of the maintenance period for trees that the County Council is responsible for maintaining after a scheme has been adopted.
• Confirmation of the handover process for tree maintenance from developer to county council.
• Consideration of external communication experts to assist with scheme communications.
• A recommendation acknowledging ongoing work regarding communications with the scheme and consideration of how details are shared with members and residents.
• A suggestion to write to the Department for Transport (DfT) to explore flexibility in mitigating issues that have arisen, particularly concerning Regent's Park Road.

Work Programme

The panel reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year. The next meeting is scheduled for 9 July 2026, with a full agenda including updates on Active Travel, the Local Transport Plan, and budget monitoring. Future meetings are scheduled for 2 October 2026 (Flood Risk Management Annual Report) and 25 November 2026 (Renewal of Highways Maintenance Contract). The panel also discussed the need to include environmental and net-zero topics in its future work programme.