Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director of Environment and Resident Experience. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Transport

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the acceptance of £10 million from Transport for London as part of its Better Bus Partnership Programme, subject to the terms and conditions of the funding agreement.

2.    Delegated authority, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and Contract Standing Orders, to the Director of Built Environment and Highways, in written consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, for all project changes, approvals and procurement activities required for programme delivery.

3.    Noted the high-level programme of projects set out in Tables 1, 2 and 3, recognising that individual projects would be subject to further feasibility work, design development, stakeholder engagement, statutory processes, funding availability and detailed approval processes, as required.

Reasons for the Decision

The £10 million Better Bus Partnership investment represented a significant opportunity to improve Haringey’s transport network and public realm, delivering benefits for residents, businesses and visitors across the borough. The programme supported a wide range of users, including bus passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and those accessing town centres, community facilities, employment areas and cultural destinations.

The benefits of the programme were particularly significant for groups most reliant on bus travel, including young people, older residents, disabled people and lower-income households. By improving access to employment, education, healthcare, leisure and cultural opportunities, the programme supported inclusive growth and helped to reduce transport inequalities across the borough.

The Council sought to leverage investment into the Tottenham area for the benefit of businesses and residents, recognising that the UEFA European Championship in 2028 would bring an influx of visitors to the borough, many of whom would use public transport and the connecting footways and public realm leading to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The opportunity to provide an enhanced public realm and gateway into the borough, together with a lasting legacy for local communities, represented a significant opportunity for Haringey.

There was a funding delivery deadline of the 2029/30 financial year, which was further emphasised by the UEFA European Championship taking place in June 2028.

Detailed engagement and consultation were to be undertaken on the various workstreams as they developed, involving key stakeholders, internal teams and the wider public. At that stage, the programme represented a high-level summary of potential projects, with detailed proposals to be developed by design teams and informed by engagement activities once projects had commenced.

The projects set out in Table 3 were to use Better Bus Partnership funding for design development only. Alternative funding sources, including Section 106 developer contributions, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding and Transport for London Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funding, had been identified for delivery of these schemes. This approach maximised the outcomes achievable through the Better Bus Partnership Programme.

Alternative Options Considered

The alternative option was not to accept the funding and not to proceed with the programme. This would have resulted in the Council foregoing the £10 million investment in highway assets, and the associated benefits of improved bus journey times, enhanced walking and cycling infrastructure, and improvements to the public realm would not have been realised. For this reason, the option was rejected.