Issue - meetings

To seek cabinet approval to enter into a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) agreement with The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to undertake works on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.

Having considered the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure to:

(1)  Enter into an ERDF capital funding agreement with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for the purpose of funding works in connection with the proposed Gloucestershire Canal Towpaths Upgrade.

(2)  Enter into a funding agreement with the Canal & River Trust (CRT) in order to fund works to be carried out by CRT’s term contractor Kier with effect from September 2020 on CRT’s land between Elmore Lane West and Haywicks Lane.

Cllr Vernon Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways and Flood, sought cabinet approval to authorise the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure to enter into a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) agreement with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to undertake development works on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Towpath between Rea and Sellars Bridge, Gloucester.

Cllr Smith referred to the fantastic opportunities this phase of the development would bring to the local community. He emphasised how that the scheme would support the increased development between Gloucester and Hardwicke and the thriving outer city developments at Quedgeley and Kingsway. Significant additional growth was also anticipated at the new Hunts Grove Development, where it was hoped new residents would be encouraged to travel into Gloucester using the towpath.

Cabinet colleagues welcomed the proposal and agreed that the upgrade supported the council’s commitment to creating more sustainable travel arrangements for the county and in reducing CO2 emissions along a key transport route. Cllr Smith confirmed that this particular phase of the works included biodiversity enhancements to support habitat creation and that many residents were delighted by the scheme.

Having considered the information, including known proposals, alternative options and reasons for recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure to:

(1)  Enter into an ERDF capital funding agreement with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for the purpose of funding works in connection with the proposed Gloucestershire Canal Towpaths Upgrade.

(2)   Enter into a funding agreement with the Canal & River Trust (CRT) in order to fund works to be carried out by CRT’s term contractor Kier with effect from September 2020 on CRT’s land between Elmore Lane West and Haywicks Lane.