City Deal Programme Update
North Lanarkshire Council · 29 August 2022
Back to Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee — 29 August 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☐ Yes ☒ No Ref EPT/LN Date 29/08/22 Programme of Work PO21 - City Deal Programme Update From Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration E-mail Noblely@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Lyndsay Noble, 07970016256 1. Background 1.1 The Glasgow City Region (GCR) City Deal is an agreement between the UK and Scottish Governments and the eight GCR Local Authorities, with the sole focus of creating additional economic growth. The 20-year GCR Deal was accepted by GCR Council Leaders on 20 August 2014 and incorporated: • implementing a £1.13bn Infrastructure Fund to improve the regional transport network, regenerate sites for economic use and improve public transport provision; • supporting growth in the life sciences sector; • helping small and medium enterprises to grow and develop; • establishing programmes to support the unemployed; and • piloting new ways of boosting the incomes of low wage employees. Executive Summary The North Lanarkshire City Deal Programme Update report seeks to inform the Committee of the current status of North Lanarkshire City Deal Infrastructure subprojects. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 1) Considers the content of the report and the recent progress of North Lanarkshire City Deal infrastructure subprojects; The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve economic opportunities and outcomes Ambition statement (5) Grow and improve the sustainability and diversity of North Lanarkshire's economy
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1.2 The City Deal programme for North Lanarkshire as part of the Infrastructure Fund comprises the following projects: • A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements o Eurocentral Park and Ride (To be deferred and Strategic Active Travel to be brought forward) o Orchard farm Roundabout • Glenboig Link Road (complete) • Pan-Lan Orbital Transport Corridor o East Airdrie Link Road o Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure o Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange 2. Report 2.1 Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange (MTCTI) 2.1.1 The redevelopment of Motherwell Rail Station by ScotRail’s appointed contractor, Balfour Beatty, is significantly underway however is experiencing delay. The new retaining wall, which will facilitate a widened station concourse, forecourt and new retail unit, has been completed. Work is now progressing on the station frontage and internal concourse area. Access to the station and platforms for passengers will continue to be maintained throughout the improvements. 2.1.2 Balfour Beatty have also been appointed by the council to undertake the improvement works to Muir Street comprising expansion of the bus stop; provision of a new access road to Motherwell Rail Station with new taxi rank and public realm improvements. 2.1.3 Both the Motherwell Rail Station and Muir Street contracts were scheduled to be complete by July 2022. Due to delays in delivering the station contract the works are now expected to continue until the end of the calendar year. The council are working with Balfour Beatty to minimise the impact of delays of the station works on the Muir Street contract and the town centre. It is currently projected that most of the Muir Street works will be completed by September 2022, with the expanded bus stop, and refurbished bus shelter reopened. The remaining works will then be completed after the new station roof is installed and widened station forecourt is complete. This will allow the new station access road and taxi rank to be opened. It is aimed that all works will be completed by early 2023. 2.1.4 Construction access and pedestrian management arrangements are being coordinated between the contracts, to minimise disruption. Some road closures of short duration will be required throughout the Muir Street works to carry out some activities safely. For each road closure, advance notification will be provided to local businesses and the public (through signage on site, website updates and other communication channels). Road closures will be in place at weekends to minimise disruption to the town centre. Officers within the Enterprise Projects Team are working with the communication team at Balfour Beatty and the Motherwell Rail Station Communications Group to ensure that communications are coordinated across both contracts. 2.1.5 A Community Benefits Plan has been agreed with Balfour Beatty for the contract. To date, a number of skills, employability and training initiatives have been delivered, including a careers event, work experience placements and mock interviews. An initiative has been delivered with Our Lady’s High School and a commitment made to
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support five local community projects. These projects were identified in consultation with the Motherwell Community Board. 2.2 Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure 2.2.1 The Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure project comprises three projects: • a new road connection between Motherwell and Ravenscraig from Airbles Road, passing under the West Coast Main Line railway, and on to the Regional Sports Facility • completing the dualling of Airbles Road between Airbles Farm Road and Hamilton Road and improving facilities pedestrians and cyclists • upgrading the A723 for three kilometres from the New Craig Road junction at Ravenscraig to the M8 at Holytown to create a dual carriageway and shared footway/cycleway 2.2.2 The project will be delivered in phases beginning with the new rail bridge for the future connection between Motherwell and Ravenscraig. 2.2.3 Since receiving detailed planning permission in September 2021 for the new connection between Motherwell and Ravenscraig, Network Rail and the Council have worked jointly to appoint a contractor to build the new bridge crossing of the railway which concluded in February with the approval of the Full Business Case and the contract for these works by GCR City Deal and Enterprise & Growth Committee respectively. 2.2.4 Since their appointment, Story Contracting have been finalising the detailed design of the bridge and preparing the site for construction which will commence in earnest in the summer. The new bridge will be constructed off-line and moved into place during April 2023 during a closure of the railway when the existing track will be lifted, the embankment removed, the bridge moved into position and the embankment and track reinstated. 2.2.5 In preparation for the next phases of works, the project team: • are preparing the detailed specifications and tender documents for the procurement of the new connection from Ravenscraig to Motherwell – the tender will be published in September 2022 for award in 2023, and construction of the road will start next summer following City Deal and Committee approval, and once the bridge is fully complete; • have issued notices for the Compulsory Purchase Order, following technical examination by Transport Scotland, for the remaining land required for the new connection from Ravenscraig to Motherwell – the period for objection runs until 12th August 2022; • continue to seek to negotiate with all other owners and occupiers for the remaining land required to deliver all parts of the Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access project - acquisitions are reported to, and approved as required by, Finance and Resources Committee; • have published details of the proposals for completing the dualling of Airbles Road and subsequently confirmed that these fall within the Council’s permitted development rights. These proposals will be subject to statutory consultation under Traffic Regulation and Stopping Up orders later this year; and • have appointed the professional team to continue developing the detailed proposals for the dualling of the A723 from Ravenscraig to the M8 at Holytown. This is subject to a separate report to this committee.
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2.3 East Airdrie Link Road (EALR) 2.3.1 East Airdrie Link Road will provide a new strategic link between the M8 and south Cumbernauld. Following a detailed Stage 2 option appraisal a preferred route has been agreed. Feedback from Stage 2 public consultation has been reviewed and will help inform the project moving forward. Further public consultation will take place late Summer 22 for 6 weeks on the preferred route and on the environmental report as part of the Strategic Environmental Appraisal. 2.3.2 A section of the preferred route has been realigned to accommodate the proposed Monklands Hospital replacement project. The project team continue to liaise with NHS Lanarkshire to ensure coordination, secure efficiencies and to maximise benefits. 2.3.3 In line with previous approvals, the procurement for professional services to develop and deliver the EALR including design and engineering, cost consultancy, project and contract management together with site supervision and quality control for the preferred route has commenced. The outcome of this procurement activity will be brought back to Committee in line with General Contract Standing Orders. 2.4 Orchard Farm Roundabout 2.4.1 The ‘A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements’ Outline Business Case (OBC) including the Orchard Farm Roundabout has been submitted for approval to the GCR Cabinet on 30 August 2022. The scope of the Orchard Farm Roundabout project comprises a financial contribution of £2m to the developer for the construction of the junction on the A8. The roundabout secured Planning consent in January 2020 and supporting technical approvals including a Minute of Agreement with Transport Scotland have been secured by the developer or are in final stages of agreement. 2.4.2 The Orchard Farm Roundabout is a new junction on the A8 All Purpose Distributor Road and critically supports the development of the Mossend International Rail Freight Park (MIRP) and provides important access to a number of development sites to the north of the A8/M8. 2.4.3 MIRP is a low carbon rail-based infrastructure project with a significant co-located logistic park development. Peter D Stirling Limited (railfreight terminal operator/landowner) and Trustees of ID Meiklam (landowner) seek to develop the Mossend Railfreight Terminal into a European scale railfreight terminal and distribution park with all-electric facilities. MIRP is one of very few sites within the UK that can offer integrated multi-modal logistics of this scale, quality and economic value. MIRP is central to the recent Clyde Green Freeport submission, which is subject to a separate report to this committee. 2.4.4 The OBC will be underpinned by a funding agreement between the council and the developer and will establish funding arrangements, obligations and key milestones. The remainder of the costs and any associated delivery risks relating to the delivery of the infrastructure will be met by the developer. The infrastructure will be form part of the strategic road network and will fall under the responsibility of Transport Scotland. 2.4.5 A steering group comprising the developer, Scottish Enterprise and North Lanarkshire Council was established in December 2020 to progress the case for public sector investment, develop the city deal business cases and to steer the delivery of the wider MRIP project of which the Orchard Farm roundabout forms an early and critical stage.
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2.4.6 Subject to A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements OBC approval, it is proposed to submit the Full Business case (FBC) for the Orchard Farm Roundabout for approval to the GCR Chief Executive’s Group this calendar year. Approval will be sought from the November Enterprise, Growth and Fair Work Committee to submit the FBC to the GCR Chief Executives Group for approval. This would allow for works to commence in spring 2023, with the intention that the works would be complete in April 2024. 2.5 Eurocentral Park and Ride 2.5.1 The scope of the Eurocentral Park and Ride / Share has been under review to examine the potential for the current scheme to be expanded from a traditional park and ride to a Low Carbon Hub (LCH). Consultants, Systra Ltd. were appointed in March 2021 to undertake a 2-part STAG based feasibility study. Part One of the study has recommended that, in light of the initial transport modelling, the future uncertainty of traffic patterns and outstanding strategic transport initiatives/studies, that the provision of a park and ride/low carbon hub should be deferred. 2.5.2 An updated options appraisal for the Eurocentral sub-project has therefore been undertaken, to assess other infrastructure options that can be delivered now to improve sustainable transport connections to Eurocentral/Maxim Office Park and Newhouse from surrounding local areas and the wider region. The need for sustainable transport improvements has been identified, to remove barriers to accessing jobs at these strategic employment locations. 2.6 A8/M8 Corridor Strategic Active Travel 2.6.1 The provision of Strategic Active Travel Links, connecting Eurocentral/Maxim Office Park/Newhouse and Mossend to surrounding local communities and local rail stations has been identified as the new preferred option for the Eurocentral sub-project. The Strategic Active Travel routes have been included in the A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements Outline Business Case. This has been prioritised over the Park and Ride to ensure needs can be met now and to maximise the City Deal funding. 2.6.2 The routes identified are to the south of Eurocentral between Bellshill and Newhouse via Holytown and to the north of Eurocentral linking Whifflet rail station with the M8 Cycle Route at Shawhead and leading to Eurocentral and Maxim Office Park. These routes are designated as Strategic Network Routes within the North Lanarkshire Active Travel Strategy. 2.6.3 In total, it is aimed to deliver 10km of shared use walking and cycling routes with City Deal investment. The routes link with other planned active travel route improvements as part of the Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access and East Airdrie Link Road projects. There are also opportunities to seek match funding from other external funding sources to expand the scope of the project to connect more communities to employment opportunities. The plan at Appendix 1 illustrates the planned direct city deal investment. 2.6.4 Further feasibility and design work is required to develop the active travel routes. Subject to approval of the A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements OBC, it is planned to appoint consultants to progress detailed design work in early 2023. It is then intended, subject to Committee approval, to submit the sub-project Full Business Case in early 2024 and commence work on site in Spring 2024. It is expected that the work will be completed by March 2025.
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3. Measures of success 3.1 As the second largest Local Authority within the GCR, North Lanarkshire’s residents and businesses will directly benefit from the City Deal through: • creation of 2,000 new workplace jobs, representing a 1.6% uplift in the future jobs growth forecast for North Lanarkshire; • a significant share of some 15,000 temporary construction jobs anticipated to be generated by the development of the Infrastructure Investment Fund projects – construction being a predominant local employment sector; • estimated 9.2% of North Lanarkshire working age residents having heightened access to employment opportunities within the wider GCR area; • additional tender opportunities as a result of GCR City Deal investment for North Lanarkshire Business and SME’s; • community benefits derived from all GCR City Deal contracts awarded over £50,000; and • a proportionate share of the £2.2bn per annum Gross Value Added (GVA) increase in the GCR area over the lifetime of City Deal, equivalent to 4% uplift in the region. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 - A8/M8 Corridor Strategic Active Travel Pamela Humphries Head of Planning and Regeneration
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5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The City Deal Cabinet has agreed that Inclusive Growth is to be fully embedded within the GCR City Deal programme delivery and that it is also committed to supporting the delivery of the Fairer Scotland Action Plan. Future NLC subproject OBC/FBC development will be scrutinised to ensure it meets the duties of the Fairer Scotland Action Plan. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality-and-fairer- scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☒ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The North Lanarkshire Council City Deal Programme approved funding allocation across the 3 headline projects is as: • A8/M8 Corridor Access Improvements £6,478,521 • Glenboig Link Road (complete) £6,223,205 • Pan-Lan Orbital Transport Corridor £215,696,493 The City Deal funding comprises funding from the GCR City Deal Infrastructure Fund (£148,956,293) and North Lanarkshire Council (£79,441,926). The financial implications of the City Deal Programme are incorporated within the Council’s Long- term Financial Plan and to date budgetary implications have been approved by the Policy and Strategy Committee. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions?
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Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? All infrastructure projects developed by the Council as part of the GCR City Deal will be subject to relevant environmental and sustainability appraisal and as part of subsequent planning application approvals and procurement. Furthermore, to adhere with HM Treasury Greenbook best practice, each iteration of project business case seeking GCR City Deal funding will include a review of the sustainability considerations, this will include carbon management, involving categorisation, assessment and mitigation. 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The City Deal programme and the delivery of the projects will continue to be promoted through Corporate Communications and the Glasgow City Region’s Communications team. Specific to Muir Street Improvements, a joint communications group with Scotrail, Transport Scotland and North Lanarkshire Council has been set up to coordinate
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communication and promote the Motherwell Station redevelopment and the City Deal Muir Street improvements. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? A key risk for the City Deal Programme is the current global economic climate and its short and long term impacts on the delivery of the city deal projects. This risk is becoming a live issue for the Programme and will be assessed and recorded within the City Deal Issues Register. This is not unique to City Deal and the approach to this risk and issue management will be carried out in conjunction with Finance and the Glasgow City Region Project Management Office. Risk management of North Lanarkshire’s City Deal activity is incorporated within the council’s City Deal programme risk register which is reviewed by the City Deal Manager and reported to the council’s City Deal Board. The City Deal risks are also integrated in the Planning and Regeneration Service Risk Register. Each City Deal sub project has a detail risk register and is managed by the Project Manager.
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Appendix 1 – A8/M8 Corridor Strategic Active Travel