Agenda and minutes

To consider the admission of any items of urgent business.  

There were no items of urgent business.

(Report of the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development). The report seeks approval to enter into an agreement with Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd (Network Rail) for payment of a contribution towards improvements to Wightman Road Bridge.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment considered a report, previously circulated, which sought approval to enter into an agreement with Network Infrastructure Ltd (Network Rail) for payment of a contribution towards improvements to Wightman Road Bridge.

RESOLVED:

      i.        That approval be given for the Council, in its role of highway authority, to enter into an agreement with Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd, for payment of a contribution to Network Rail as the owner of Wightman Road Bridge towards the costs of improvement works to the bridge;

    ii.        That approval be given to a contribution by the Council, consisting of the actual costs of the works excluding Network Rail’s capped share of 20% (i.e. £659,000), of the current total estimated costs of £3,295,000; and

   iii.        That the approvals set out in i) and ii) above be subject to satisfactory confirmation that full funding was available to meet the Council’s maximum contribution to the Wightman Road Bridge works, including in the event of an overspend.

Alternative options considered

The other option available in order to maintain the structure’s integrity is to carry out maintenance works in situations where the structure can be repaired to achieve its load carrying capacity.

In this case the structure had deteriorated to an extent that extensive strengthening or replacement was necessary to achieve the above requirement.

As a temporary measure, two options are available to reduce the load passing on the bridge, namely a weight restriction or a width restriction. A 7.5T weight restriction is in place at present; however, further deterioration of the structure due to water ingress and corrosion will reduce further its load carrying ability.

Reasons for decision

To seek approval to enter into an agreement with Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd to pay a contribution towards the strengthening of Wightman Road Bridge to have a load bearing capacity of 40T as required on the Council’s principal road networks.  

Note from the Head of Local Democracy and Member Services

Item 4 allows for the consideration of exempt information in relation to Item 2 above.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contain exempt information, as defined under paragraph 3, Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the item below contained exempt information, as defined under paragraph 3, Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1971.

To consider exempt information in relation to Item 2 above.

Exempt information pertaining to Item 2 was considered.