EXECUTIVE BOARD 22Nd JUNE 2004 Title of Paper: NET Phase 2, Beeston and Chilwell
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EXECUTIVE BOARD 22 nd JUNE 2004 Title of paper: NET Phase 2, Beeston and Chilwell via Key decision QMC route, public consultation and design Enter YES development Chief Officer(s) Barry Horne City Development Contact officer(s) Pat Armstrong Telephone: 9156713 E-mail: [email protected] Summary issues raised : The report summaries the design development work for the NET Phase 2 route to Beeston and Chilwell, and identifies the main impacts together with appropriate mitigation and compensation measures. Recommendations : Summary of Implications : Note the further progress on the development The report is the second of three reports leading of the project and the results of public up to the submission of the Transport and consultation. Works Act Order for NET Phase 2. The final report will determine the submission. Approve the principle of the route alignment as described in the report and authorise the A similar process is being followed at the Director, City Development, to submit this County Council. route alignment (with such modifications as may be necessary) in an application for a Transport and Work Act Order for the project, should such an application be approved by resolution of the Council. Impac t on corporate objectives: Benefits to customers/service users: The proposals contained in the report are the most The proposals will provide a new high quality appropriate to achieve the objectives of NET Phase 2 public transport system which will be accessible and the Local Transport Plan. to a large number of people within the City. There are localised impacts along the route, including property acquisition, but many impacts can be mitigated. E:\ModernGov\Data\Committ\Intranet\Executive Board\20040622\Agenda\$0j0js02h.doc Wards Affected: Bridge, Dunkirk and Lenton, Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey Agenda Item EXECUTIVE BOARD 22 nd June 2004 REPORT OF CORPORATE DIRECTOR CITY DEVELOPMENT NET PHASE 2, BEESTON AND CHILWELL VIA QMC ROUTE PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 1. SUMMARY 1.1 Considerable work has been undertaken on the design development for the NET Phase 2 route between Nottingham Station and Chilwell via Beeston, including an Environmental Impact Assessment and Public Consultation. The main impacts have been identified together with appropriate mitigation and compensation measures and it is considered that the most appropriate alignment has been identified taking into account all relevant and available information. 2. KEY DECISION 2.1 The matter is the subject of a key decision. 3. RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is RECOMMENDED that Members: • note the further progress on the development of the Project and the results of public consultation. • approve the principle of the route alignment as described and detailed at Appendix 2 of this report and authorise the Director, City Development to submit this route alignment (with such minor modifications as may be necessary) in an application for a Transport and Works Act Order for the project should such application be approved by a resolution of the Council 4. REASONS 4.1 The proposed route alignment is consistent with local and government policies and endorsement at this stage enables the finalisation of an application for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO). 5. PURPOSE OF REPORT 5.1 To report the outcome of the consultation on the detailed route alignment for the NET Phase 2 route between Nottingham City Centre and Chilwell via QMC and Beeston in advance of a decision on the submission. E:\ModernGov\Data\Committ\Intranet\Executive Board\20040622\Agenda\$0j0js02h.doc 6. BACKGROUND 6.1 On 24 April/16 May 2002 the City/County Council considered a report on the NET Phase 2 route options and their implications. It was resolved that the Clifton via Wilford and Chilwell via QMC and Beeston routes be taken forward through the Government economic appraisal process (know as Annex E appraisal) and in preparation for a TWAO application. It was further resolved that all environmental issues and mitigation measures be investigated in detail as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment. On 4 th June 2003, the County Council Cabinet approved for consultation a preferred option for the location of a park and ride site in the Toton Lane area. 6.2 Following a report on the Clifton route to the Executive Board meeting on 20 April 2004, this report presents the findings of the alignment work, environmental assessment and public consultation for the Chilwell via QMC and Beeston route. Beeston and Chilwell route. 6.3 NET is an essential part of the transport strategy for the Greater Nottingham area to help meet the growing demand for travel in a sustainable way, consistent with the needs of the local economy. Faced with growing traffic congestion, the conurbation’s developing employment, commercial, leisure and environmental scene must be complemented by an attractive high quality transport system. The Greater Nottingham Local Transport Plan has identified NET Phase 2 as the most essential scheme to achieve the transport capacity required because of the step change in provision it is expected to achieve. 6.4 The NET extensions to Clifton and Chilwell have emerged as essential components of both the A453 and M1 multi-modal studies. The studies have confirmed that as well as meeting local needs, the NET extensions and associated park and ride facilities have an important role in accommodating the forecast growth in strategic traffic and reducing the scale of necessary trunk road improvements. 6.5 The 10km Beeston and Chilwell route will bring very significant benefits by serving a number of important destinations, including the ng2 development site, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Beeston Town Centre and Chilwell High Road and a number of important residential areas including the Meadows, parts of Lenton, Beeston and Chilwell. The route terminates at a park and ride site at Toton serving the A52 and Junction 25 of the M1. High frequency services would run through onto Line One and journey times would be extremely competitive with the car. A plan showing the route alignment is attached in Appendix 1. Alignment development work 6.6 Consultants Mott MacDonald (engineering) and ERM (environmental) have undertaken considerable work in conjunction with relevant Local Authority Officers in preparing the route alignment. Discussions have been held with a number of third parties including Broxtowe Borough Council, the Highways Agency, the E:\ModernGov\Data\Committ\Intranet\Executive Board\20040622\Agenda\$0j0js02h.doc Environment Agency, PEDALS, Network Rail, local bus operators and affected landowners, including University of Nottingham, QMC, Housing 21 and the Highfields Sports Club. This has proved invaluable and it is anticipated that discussions with these groups will continue through the next stages. 6.7 The design of a tram system is a very complex process and involves many stages from initial feasibility work through to final designs ready for implementation. This is still a relatively early stage in the overall scheme development so some very specific and detailed design issues are not fully developed and can only be considered later in the design process. However, the designs have been developed to a level sufficient for a TWAO application, and further in some cases where this has helped to resolve specific issues of concern from the general public. Environmental Impact Assessment 6.8 The environmental impacts of the scheme have been assessed in detail, including identifying positive mitigation or compensation where adverse impacts have been identified. This work has been undertaken in conjunction with the main environmental groups, including English Nature, English Heritage and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, and has involved a large number of environmental surveys, including noise assessments and tree and ecology surveys. A draft Environmental Statement (ES) has been prepared in the light of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) undertaken, and the main findings are indicated in Section 7 below and Appendix 2. The ES will form part of the TWAO application and it is proposed that the content be shared with the main environmental groups and Broxtowe Borough Council prior to submission as this is best practice in terms of EIA and the preparation of ESs. 6.9 A temporary impact is inconvenience, to local people, as a result of the construction phase. In developing the outline design of the scheme and in undertaking the EIA, a series of measures to minimise the impact of construction has been identified and will be set out in a Code of Construction Practice. Compliance with the Code will be a requirement for a future contractor. 6.10 The Executive Board at its meeting on 20 April 2004 endorsed the principles of a noise policy for NET Phase 2 and this will apply to the Chilwell via QMC and Beeston route. Public Consultation. 6.11 Since work commenced on Phase 2, there has been a very high level of public consultation on the tram proposals. Five separate stages of consultation have been undertaken, in addition to dialogue with key stakeholders and affected parties. This has considerably assisted the development of the proposals. 6.12 The latest public consultation exercise was held for the Chilwell via QMC and Beeston route between August 2003 and May 2004. Four separate booklets were produced covering the alignment between Nottingham Station and the Park and Ride site off Toton Lane. E:\ModernGov\Data\Committ\Intranet\Executive Board\20040622\Agenda\$0j0js02h.doc