Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport concerning progress made with the replacement of Zouch Bridge over the River Soar and seeking approval for the promotion of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and associated statutory orders. A copy of the report marked ‘7’ is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That a Compulsory Purchase Order to be known as `The Leicestershire County Council (A6006, Zouch Bridge Replacement) Compulsory Purchase Order 2016’ be made under Sections 239, 240, 246, 250 and 260 of the Highways Act 1980 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 to secure the compulsory acquisition of the land shown coloured pink on the Order Map at Appendix A and the new rights over the land shown coloured blue on the said Order Map;

(b)  That a Side Roads Order to be known as `The Leicestershire County Council (A6006 Zouch Bridge Replacement, Classified Road) (Side Roads) Order 2016’ be made under Sections 14 and 125 of the Highways Act 1980 to stop up lengths of existing highway and deal with the closure and creation of private means of access as shown in the plan at Appendix B;

(c)  That a Bridge Scheme known as `The Leicestershire County Council (Zouch Bridge Replacement) Bridge Scheme 2016’ be made under Section 106(3) of the Highways Act 1980 as shown in the plan set out in Appendix C to provide the statutory authority to construct the replacement Zouch Bridge;

(d)  That it be noted that an agreement under section 8 of the Highways Act 1980 is to be entered into between Leicestershire County Council and Nottinghamshire County Council to facilitate the making and promotion of the statutory orders;  

(e)  That the County Solicitor be authorised –

(i)              in consultation with the Director of Corporate Resources to finalise and make, with if necessary, any minor or technical amendments  the Orders referred to in paragraphs (a) (b) or (c) above and the Statements of Reasons,

(ii)             to seal the Orders and to take all steps he considers appropriate including the publication and service of all statutory notices and presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry or through written representations, to secure the confirmation of the Orders by the Secretary of State and the vesting of the land in the County Council,

(iii)            in consultation with the Director of Corporate Resources to request confirmation of the Orders with modifications if, in the light of new information, it appears expedient for the confirmation of the Orders.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The existing bridge continues to deteriorate and, in the medium term, is likely to require a weight restriction and, ultimately, closure. This could have an impact on the effectiveness of the County Council’s road network, increase journey times/costs and affect the delivery of its strategic transport objectives in this area. The CPO will facilitate delivery of the scheme.

The preferred location for the replacement bridge, slightly to the south of the existing bridge, enables it to be constructed without the need for the substantial traffic diversions.

The Side Roads Order is required to ensure that lengths of highway which are not needed are stopped up and that appropriate provision for creation and stopping up of private means of access are in place.

The Bridge Scheme is required to ensure that there is statutory authority to enable construction of the replacement bridge over navigable waters.

As the new bridge will be located partly on land within the administrative areas of Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, it is anticipated that an agreement under section 8 of the Highways Act 1980 will be required between both County Councils to facilitate the making and promotion of the statutory orders.