Issue - meetings

(i)       to note the contents of the updated business case for the Project;

(ii)       to agree the recommendations within the revised business case for the Project appended to this report;

(iii)      to note the strategic benefits derived from the delivery of the project to facilitate and support the aspiration of other city centre proposals associated with the Public Realm;

(iv)      to note the congestion relief, shortened journey times and improve journey time reliability along the road corridor and surrounding road network, thus providing much improved access to the city centre and relief on less appropriate routes through adjacent neighbourhoods, supporting its role as a Radial Route within the new Roads Hierarchy;

(v)      to note the anticipated Benefit to Cost Ratio for the Project is in excess of 2 representing a high value for money return on investment;

(vi)      to note that projects under the Bus Partnership Fund programme will be able to take advantage of the benefits and improved network performance delivered by the Project when advancing their proposals;

(vii)     to note the Scottish Minister’s decision to confirm the Compulsory Purchase Order and that the General Vesting Declaration will be made during Winter 2021/22, securing the land necessary for the Project and allowing those who’s land is affected to claim compensation;

(viii)    to delegate authority to the Chief Officer - Capital, following consultation with the Chief Officer - Finance, to vire surplus funds between transportation project budgets in the General Fund Capital Programme to optimise usage of currently budgeted funds; and

(ix)      that following any action taken under (viii), refers the additional funding requirement to this year’s budget process.

With reference to article 4 of the minute of meeting of the Council on 10 March 2021, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which sought approval of the updated business case and implementation of the Berryden Corridor Improvement project (the Project).

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the contents of the updated business case for the Project;

(b)      agree the recommendations within the revised business case for the Project appended to this report;

(c)      note the strategic benefits derived from the delivery of the project to facilitate and support the aspiration of other city centre proposals associated with the Public Realm;

(d)      note the congestion relief, shortened journey times and improve journey time reliability along the road corridor and surrounding road network, thus providing much improved access to the city centre and relief on less appropriate routes through adjacent neighbourhoods, supporting its role as a Radial Route within the new Roads Hierarchy;

(e)      note the anticipated Benefit to Cost Ratio for the Project is in excess of 2 representing a high value for money return on investment;

(f)       note that projects under the Bus Partnership Fund programme will be able to take advantage of the benefits and improved network performance delivered by the Project when advancing their proposals;

(g)      note the Scottish Minister’s decision to confirm the Compulsory Purchase Order and that the General Vesting Declaration will be made during Winter 2021/22, securing the land necessary for the Project and allowing those who’s land is affected to claim compensation;

(h)      delegate authority to the Chief Officer - Capital, following consultation with the Chief Officer - Finance, to vire surplus funds between transportation project budgets in the General Fund Capital Programme to optimise usage of currently budgeted funds; and

(i)       following any action taken under (h), refers the additional funding requirement to this year’s budget process.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the recommendations.