REPORT TO CABINET
REPORT TO CABINET
5 July 2005
TITLE OF REPORT: Bridging NewcastleGateshead Environmental Improvement Works 2005 / 06
REPORT OF: Derek Quinn, Group Director, Development and Enterprise
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report recommends that a number of environmental improvement projects are undertaken in the current financial year 2005/06 funded from the Bridging NewcastleGateshead (BNG) allocations for Routeways and Gateways (Project 1.1) and Public Realm Improvement Sunderland Road (10.4). The projects are listed and described in Appendix 1. The total value of these projects is estimated to be £750,000. It is proposed to spend £675,000 in 2005/06 and the remainder in 2006/07. Plans indicating the works will be displayed at the meeting.
The report also asks Cabinet to note the schemes and estimates and recommends that the contracts for the works be negotiated with the Group Director, Local Environmental Services, Able Construction and the Annual Surfacing and Road Marking contractors.
Policy Context
1. The proposals relate to the vision for Gateshead and associated medium-term objectives as contained within the Gateshead Community Strategy and Towards 2010. In particular they relate to the vision for ‘Housing’ where ‘local people live in good quality affordable homes that meet their changing needs and are located within pleasant, safe and sustainable communities’. The proposals are also consistent with the Gateshead Community Strategy, the Gateshead Housing Strategy, the East Gateshead Partnership and the Gateshead Unitary Development Plan.
Consultation
2. The appropriate Portfolio Holders together with Ward Councillors in Felling and Pelaw and Heworth have been consulted. No objections have been made to the proposals.
3. The works in the Oban Terrace area are supported by the findings of the public consultation exercise undertaken with local residents during September 2004.
Implications
4. The Strategic Director, Finance and ICT, confirms that the £675,000 cost of the works can be met from BNG funding available in the current financial year 2005/06 allocations for Public Realm Improvements Sunderland Road and Routeways and Gateways.
5. There are no staffing implications arising from this report.
Recommendations
6. The Cabinet is recommended to:
· approve the proposed works described in Appendix 1 below, subject to the design of the fence at Stoneygate Lane play area being agreed by the local residents and the National Playing Fields Association;
· approve the negotiation of contracts with the Group Director, Local Environmental Services and Able Construction (in respect of work at Asher Street in the Oban Terrace area where they are doing work to the houses on the Council's behalf with BNG funding) based on a combination of competitive rates and the Highways Maintenance and Street Lighting Term Contract rates, the Surface Planing Term Contract rates, the Road Marking and Anti-Skid Surfacing Term Contract rates; and,
· place orders with the Group Director Local Environmental Services, Able Construction and the Annual Surfacing and Road Marking contractors subject to the costs and tenders being within the total of the respective allocations.
For the following reason:
· Positive management measures are necessary to promote the regeneration of the BNG area as a desirable residential neighbourhood.
CONTACT: Richard Connor extension 3450 PLAN REF: 680
APPENDIX 1
Background
1. The NewcastleGateshead Pathfinder submission, now known as Bridging NewcastleGateshead (BNG), was approved by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) in January 2004. This was reported to the Cabinet meeting held on 2 March 2004, Minute No. C398. Two of the projects approved were Public Realm Improvement Sunderland Road (Project 10.4) and Routeways and Gateways (Project 1.1).
2. Public Realm Improvements Sunderland Road aims to improve the environment and appearance of the housing in the Sunderland Road Strategy Area and complement improvements to the houses themselves. Routeways and Gateways similarly seeks to improve the appearance of main transport corridors through a programme of environmental improvements. Greening the Bypass is a sub-project of focussed on the Felling Bypass that commenced last year. Both projects contribute to achieving the Bridging NewcastleGateshead objective of comprehensively improving the area.
Proposal
3. The proposed works to be undertaken in the current financial year include:
· Routeways and Gateways - Greening the Bypass:
§ Tree and shrub planting on the central reservation of the Felling Bypass from Heworth Roundabout west towards Gateshead Stadium at an estimated cost of £150,000, including fees. Felling and Pelaw & Heworth wards.
§ Provision of a new high specification, noise absorbing, solid boundary fence at Stoneygate play area adjacent to the Felling Bypass at an estimated cost of £100,000, including fees. Felling and Pelaw & Heworth wards. This proposal is subject to the design being acceptable to the residents of the Stoneygate Lane Estate and The National Playing Fields Association who own the land on behalf of the residents.
· Public Realm Improvements Sunderland Road:
§ Oban Terrace area improvements to complement BNG funded works being undertaken to the houses, these include:
¨ the construction of new back lanes serving the houses on Oban Terrace and Clayton Terrace;
¨ resurfacing of front paths using paving flags;
¨ the provision of planting boxes and cobbles at both ends of Asher Street to create entrance features and reduce vehicle speeds;
¨ resurfacing of front and back streets;
¨ block paved end treatments at the junction of Sunderland Road with Oban Terrace and Reginald Street to slow vehicles speeds, define the residential area and ease movement by pedestrian, pram and wheelchair users;
¨ resurfacing of Sunderland Road from St Wilfrid's Church east to Clayton Terrace and the upgrading of the Zebra crossing on Sunderland Road near the junction with Emily Street to a Puffin crossing.
The estimated cost of the above work is £500,000, including fees, of which £425,000 will be spent in the current financial year 2005/06 with the remainder in 2006/07. Felling ward.
Consultation
4. The appropriate Portfolio Holders together with Ward Councillors in Felling and Pelaw and Heworth have been consulted. No objections have been made to the proposals.
5. The works in the Oban Terrace area are supported by the findings of the public consultation exercise undertaken in September 2004.
Alternative Options
5. Alternative schemes to those proposed were considered but did not address the issues appropriately. The alternative to investing in the area is to do nothing. Such action would be counter to the approved strategy for the BNG area and efforts to regenerate it as a desirable area in which to live.
Implications of Recommended Option
6. Equal Opportunities Implications - The Council will seek to implement the proposed works with due regard to equal opportunities legislation.
7. Crime and Disorder Implications - The implementation of the proposed works should reduce vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
8. Environmental Implications - Environmental improvements should assist substantially in improving the quality of life for residents.
9. Human Rights Implications - Although the works will cause some temporary disruption, the area will be considerably improved for all users and residents.
10. Ward Implications -The proposed works are in the Felling and Pelaw & Heworth wards.
Background Information
11. None.
LALLCA-73739