For Discussion at Reports Meeting On

7 PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL 10/593 Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee – 24 November 2010 SUSTRANS RIVER TAY CONNECT2 PROJECT, PERTH - DESIGN OPTIONS Report By Depute Director (Environment) This report details the progress made on the Connect2 Project and seeks approval to proceed with the detailed design of Option A (Three Arch Bridge) following the outcome of the Design Options Survey. RECOMMENDATIONS The Committee is asked to:- (i) Note the contents of this report. (ii) Agree to proceed with the detailed design of Option A (Three Arch Bridge) following the results of the Design Options Survey. BACKGROUND 1. In the draft Area Local Plan of December 2004, the Council stated that it would “investigate the principle of construction of a pedestrian/cycle bridge across the River Tay between the North Inch and Quarrymill”. Although the overall plan was subsequently abandoned, the aspiration was re-stated in the draft Regional Transport Strategy in 2007 and carried through to the current TACTRAN Delivery Plan. 2. The purpose of the budge is to provide a cycle and walking link for leisure and commuting between the two banks of the River Tay, and is very much considered a community project. Studies carried out at similar sites by Sustrans demonstrate that the bridge is likely to generate considerable usage. 3. Prior to 2007 the subject had been discussed at a fairly informal level with officers, Local Members and cycling groups, but the Council had no firm commitment to it. 4. However, in 2007 a funding opportunity presented itself through SUSTRANS for a bid to be put to the Big Lottery “Peoples Millions” Competition to assist with the bridge funding. 5. Sustrans is an extremely popular charity and received a large amount of public support for the Connect2 Projects. This was demonstrated by the success of the bid committing £1.25 million to the project. 6. The new crossing will provide a link between Scone and Perth’s schools, colleges, hospitals and leisure facilities, as well as the commercial and 69 industrial areas, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to travel safely, away from the already heavily congested existing Perth bridges. 7. At the Council Meeting of 24 June 2009, it was agreed to proceed with the Connect2 Project and sign the Memorandum of Understanding with Sustrans, on the basis of a future commitment of funding from TACTRAN. 8. The Memorandum of Understanding between Perth and Kinross Council and Sustrans was signed on 3 November 2009. This document does not legally contract the Council to build the project but is the mechanism for reporting progress to Sustrans and the Big Lottery. 9. It is estimated that the bridge will cost in the region of £2.6 million to design and construct. Funding for this is in place and consists of £1.25 million from the Big Lottery, and £1.386 million from the TACTRAN Capital Programme. 10. Based on the investigations, surveys and design work carried out to date costs of the bridge are broken down as follows: Item £ Notes Ground Investigation 100,000 Completed. Land Acquisitions/Agreements 10,000 Ongoing Detailed Design 185,000 Due to commence. Design Check 10,000 Alterations to golf course 100,000 Landscaping 40,000 Consultants Fees 245,000 Engineering Administration 50,000 Site Supervision 72,000 Construction of bridge 1,824,000 Start November 2011 subject to necessary permissions granted etc. TOTAL COST 2,636,000 11. As reported to Council on 24 June 2009, a number of routes for the bridge have been investigated. Six bridge locations were assessed and these are shown at Appendix 1a. This assessment determined that only one location (Site A) was considered feasible, based on geographical, engineering, environmental and cost factors, in addition to the convenience of the users and considerations of the effects on the North Inch and the Golf Course. Unfortunately, at this location almost the entire length of the west bank is occupied by the 15th hole of the golf course. Therefore, in order to minimise the impact on the golf course, further options were assessed at Site A to determine the best alignment. These are shown at Appendix 1b, with details of the assessment given at Appendix 2b. 12. Since June 2009 the project has advanced and the following is a brief update on progress and the current position. 70 Environmental Considerations 13. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the route has been prepared but can only be finalised when the design of the structure is known. The consultant, Atkins, has advised that there have been no major issues of concern identified to date. Land Issues 14. A Title Search Plan has been carried out and all landowners affected by the project have been identified. 15. The land mainly affected by the route is on the east bank and is owned by Capability Scotland. Discussions have taken place with them and their security and segregation requirements have been met. The proposed parking layout has still to be agreed. Once this and the positioning of the bridge are agreed, the acquisition and servitude plans can be finalised and the formal process started. 16. With regard to the River Tay, the Crown Estate claims to own the entire riverbed width whilst Mansfield Estates also claims ownership. The solicitors representing both clients are in agreement that they would not wish to stand in the way of the project proceeding expeditiously. It has been agreed that they will both enter in to the requisite agreement for their respective interests. They agree that this will allow the bridge to be built and for the determination of ownership of the alveus to take its course. 17. A small part of the North Inch (at the Golf Course) is affected by the project. Since this is Common Good Land, Counsel Opinion has been sought to determine if the proposals would constitute a “disposal” of part of the North Inch in terms of s75 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The Opinion of Counsel is that it does not and as such there is no requirement to petition the Sheriff. 18. In addition to Counsel Opinion, it will also be necessary to prepare a report to the Perth Common Good Fund Committee to provide them with full details of the project. The next meeting of the Committee is 15 December 2010. 19. Although not part of the bridge proposals, it is proposed to provide a pedestrian/cycle link to Scone through land on the east side of the A93. A number of route options are currently being investigated and will be presented to Committee in due course. Design 20. Ground investigations on both banks of the river were carried out in June 2010. No major issues were identified. 21. The next stage of the process is to progress to the detailed design stage. Further details are provided later in this report under ‘Design of Structure’. 71 Planning Permission 22. There are no immediate planning concerns with the proposed bridge. However, the planning application for the project cannot be lodged until the EIA is finalised and the design of the structure confirmed. Construction 23. In accordance with the conditions set out by the Big Lottery, the project must be completed by 31 March 2013. 24. A design and construction programme has been prepared and at this time construction of the bridge is planned for late 2011, with an estimated construction period of up to 12 months. PROPOSALS Design of Structure 25. Atkins have undertaken the feasibility design work for the bridge and in July 2010 prepared three design options: • Option A - Bow tied arch (three arches) • Option B - Under deck truss (flat bridge) • Option C - Suspension bridge 26. Option A is a bow tied arch bridge with the following characteristics: • central arch of 126m • two shorter end arches of 37m • highest part of main arch would be 20m (65ft) above the river banks • piers would be on the banks and not in the river • would cost in the region of £1.8million to construct • construction can take place at any time of the year. 27. Option B is a flat bridge with the following characteristics: • supported on 4 piers and total length of 200m • highest part of the bridge would be less than 8m (26ft) above the river banks • 2 piers would be built in the river • could cost in the region of £1.4million to construct • construction works in the river could only take place been November and June due to the requirements of the Tay Salmon Fisheries. 28. Option C was excluded from the outset as the estimated cost was much greater than the available budget for the project. 29. Detailed drawings of Options A and B are attached at Appendix 3. 72 Design Option Survey 30. Given that community engagement forms a key part of the project, it was decided that the views of the public should be sought on the two bridge options. As a result a web survey was launched on 13 August 2010 and ran for a period of three weeks. The survey included information on the two designs, drawings, location plans and the opportunity to provide comments. The survey information is detailed at Appendix 4. 31. The survey was well publicised in the local media, with information boards and survey forms also placed at the following locations and events: • AK Bell Library • Scone Library • North Inch Community Campus Library • South Inch Community Campus • 2 High Street • Quarrymill Visitor Centre • Capability Scotland • Muirton Community Flat • South Inch Community Fun Day (28th August) 32. The results of the survey are shown at Appendix 5. The results show that 699 people participated in the survey, with 69% selecting Option A (three arch bridge) as their preferred design.

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