Issue - meetings

Arborfield Cross Relief Road

Meeting: 26/03/2015 - Executive (Item 131)

131 Arborfield Cross Relief Road pdf icon PDF 300 KB

Decision:

 

RESOLVED That:

1)        Option B alignment modifications for the Arborfield Cross Relief Road be agreed and progressed through detailed design to a full planning application;

2)        the Council will continue liaison and discussions with Councillors, landowners, affected residents and other stakeholders.

Minutes:

(Councillor Pollock left the meeting and did not take part in the discussion or vote on the item.)

 

The Executive considered a report relating to proposed alignment modifications for the Arborfield Cross Relief Road in order to ensure appropriate mitigation of traffic impacts from the development of Arborfield Cross Garrison Strategic Development Location.

 

The Deputy Executive Member for Planning and Highways informed the meeting that following public consultation in 2013, when 70% of responders stated their preference for Option B alignment modifications, the Executive agreed in 2014 to progress with this refinement.  Following further liaison meetings in 2014 the Option B alignment has now been considered in detail and has been determined as feasible and appropriate to mitigate the impacts of the SDL development.

 

To date all directly affected landowners had indicated a willingness to engage in negotiations to acquire land for the road. It was intended to reduce the visual aspects of the relief road by constructing the road as close to, or below, the existing ground level where this was achievable and there would be appropriate landscaping and planting.  The road would be a single carriageway road with a 50 mph speed limit following discussions with Thames Valley Police.

 

Councillor Jorgensen commented that she was pleased that the Council would again be constructing a cycleway that had physical separation from the road as this would encourage more residents, particularly young children, to use it. 

 

Councillor Ross referred to the crossings, public rights of way and bridleways affected by the relief road and commented that that it would be important to work closely with the Local Access Forum and local ramblers in order to take account of the interests of local horse riders and pedestrians.  The Leader of the Council commented that he shared Councillor Ross’s view and it was his understanding that appropriate crossing provision was being looked at by Officers.

 

RESOLVED That:

1)        Option B alignment modifications for the Arborfield Cross Relief Road be agreed and progressed through detailed design to a full planning application;

2)        the Council will continue liaison and discussions with Councillors, landowners, affected residents and other stakeholders.