Issue - meetings

Report by the Directorof Communities, Economy and Transport

85.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director for Communities, Transport and Environment.

85.2     It was RESOLVED to:

(1) note the estimated costs and options for replacing Exceat Bridge;

(2) agree to continue with the proposals for an offline two-lane replacement bridge (‘Option A’);

(3) agree to re-direct £11.128m grant funding from the Newhaven and Peacehaven bus priority schemes set out in the Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to the Exceat Bridge Replacement Project;

(4) approve the amendments to the 2025/26 BSIP funding allocation, reflecting the reallocation of £4m of funding to the Newhaven bus priority scheme; and

(5) delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to take all actions necessary to achieve the completion of the offline two-lane replacement bridge (‘Option A’), including but not limited to awarding any required construction contracts for the Bridge.

Reasons

85.3     The Council’s preference has always been to complete the original proposal for an offline two-lane replacement bridge (Option A). However, this is only viable if additional external funding is identified. The diversion of BSIP funding from the Peacehaven and Newhaven bus priority schemes provides an opportunity to continue with Option A, subject to confirmation of the Orders by the Secretary of State and / or successful negotiations with the landowners.

85.4     Delegation of authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to take all actions necessary to achieve the completion of the ‘option A’ two-lane replacement bridge, including but not limited to awarding any required construction contracts for the Bridge will ensure the effective delivery of the project.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

70.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport together with a verbal update from the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport who recommended that Cabinet defer the decision regarding Exceat Bridge so that new potential opportunities can be explored.

70.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) Defer consideration of this item in light of the developments; and

2) Ask officers to look into the issues and potential solution that has been raised and bring a report back to Cabinet.

Reason

70.3     Since the publication of the report, one of the principal bus operators in East Sussex has indicated that Exceat Bridge is a higher priority for them than some of the proposals within the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). It is therefore possible to explore the opportunity to use some BSIP funding for the original Exceat Bridge replacement scheme, subject to further discussions and agreement from the Department for Transport.