Agenda item

Improving Morecambe's Main Streets - New Pedestrian Crossing Marine Road Central

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

 

Report of Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

Minutes:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) for Cabinet to consider whether to fund a new designed pedestrian crossing at the seafront in Euston Road, as part of the improvements to Morecambe’s main streets.

 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

 

 

Option 1: Do not provide the new pedestrian crossing until sufficient external funding can be secured.

Option 2: Provide the new crossing as part of the ‘Connecting Victoria Street’ project, supplementing the project budget with funding from council reserves.

Option 3: Decide not to provide the new pedestrian crossing

Advantages

Leaves open the prospect of providing the crossing.

No expenditure by the council.

 

Consistent with the MAAP, completes the set of improvements to better connect the seafront and town centre at Euston Road.

 

Early implementation offers best value as it utilises the works capacity of Lancashire county council’s local highways team, - available this summer.

No expenditure by the council.

 

Disadvantages

No certainty as to when the crossing might be provided.

Involves use of council reserves budgeted for MAAP implementation but not yet allocated to any MAAP project.

Not consistent with the MAAP. Improvements for pedestrians are incomplete and not optimal.

Risks

That funding can’t be secured and the crossing is not provided. This would fail to maximise the potential for increased footfall into the town centre and consequential benefits for trading.

Delay in securing the funding needed would have similar if temporary effects. This does not best present the town and centre for new customers with opening of the new M6 Link.

 

 

Early benefits for pedestrians and maximises the potential for increased footfall into the town centre and consequential benefits for trading.

Best presents the town and centre for new customers with opening of the new M6 Link.

 

Fails to maximise the potential for increased footfall into the town centre and consequential benefits for trading.

Does not best present the town and centre for new customers with opening of the new M6 Link.

 

 

 

Option 2 is preferred as this is consistent with the MAAP and makes appropriate use of funds in the MAAP Reserve. It means the designed crossing can be provided this summer to the benefit of the town centre. Lancashire County Council’s local highways team has the capacity to undertake the works this summer. This offers best value and as a delivery approach is preferable to delivery via a stand- alone works contract.

 

The MAAP sets that Euston Road should be the main route for pedestrians between the seafront and the town centre. A new designed crossing at Marine Road Central is desirable for this and the report sets out options.

 

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Clifford:-

 

“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.”

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1)          That approval be given to the use of the Morecambe Area Action Plan Implementation Reserve to supplement the budget for the ‘Connecting Victoria Street’ project in order to provide the new crossing at Marine Road, as set out in the report.

 

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

The Morecambe Area Action Plan is part of the corporate policy framework and the proposal relates to a key element in the spatial approach and Action Set 8.

 

Supporting documents: