Decision details

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves the receipt of £11m grant funding from National Highways for the A3 air quality scheme through the Electric Towns and Cities Initiative, and proceeds with the scheme subject to the approval of a detailed business case by the Council’s Capital Programme Panel.

2.    That Cabinet agrees that, if the scheme is successful and National Highways allocates further grant to the Guildford A3 scheme within the existing timeframe, the acceptance and spend of the additional grant is delegated to the Director of Highways & Transport, in conjunction with the relevant Cabinet member.

Reasons for Decisions:

There is a legal duty on National Highways, as issued by the Secretary of State for the Environment, to address the NO₂ levels along the A3 in Guildford. This stretch of road has been identified as one of the worst roads for air quality in the country. The County Council,  with Guildford Borough Council and National Highways, has a shared interest in addressing the air quality in this area - both from a public health perspective but also in light of our net zero carbon targets as a county. Residents who are users of the footpaths/cycle paths alongside this stretch of road will benefit from reduced exposure to emissions upon completion of the initiative; as well as a secondary benefit for those who drive electric vehicles having access to additional local charge points.  Residents who are employed in organisations/businesses in the local area may also benefit from the travel planning element of the initiative, whereby the opportunity to join a salary sacrifice scheme may be available to encourage the move to electric vehicles.

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)