Issue - meetings

This report provides the Executive Member with an update on progress of the Haxby Road Station project and the need for a further Line Speed Improvement Study prior to Network Rail providing the necessary support for the scheme.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member agrees to:

i) Note the progress made on the delivery of the Haxby Station scheme.

ii)Progress Option 1 to deliver the station in accordance with standard procedures but defer commencement of further work, until the availability of funding for the delivery of the scheme is clarified

REASON:                  To enable a high value for money scheme to be progressed whilst minimising the risk of abortive expenditure.

The Executive Member considered a report, which updated him on the progress of the Haxby Station project and the need for a further Line Speed Improvement Study prior to Network Rail providing the necessary support for the scheme. The report also recommended that the delivery of the project should be suspended until the availability of funding was clarified.

Councillor R Watson, as Local Member, expressed his strong support for improved public transport in the country and in particular for Haxby Station. He reaffirmed the support of the local community for the station however he acknowledged that during the current economic climate it was important that further work was not undertaken without the necessary funding.

The Executive Member confirmed that this was an important public transport initiative and one that he hoped would proceed when central government funding allocations were known in the autumn.

He then gave consideration to the following four options:

Option 1 (Recommended Option): Progress in accordance with standard procedures with commencement deferred until future funding allocations are clarified.

Option 2: Progress in accordance with standard procedures immediately.

Option 3: Progress more rapidly prior to obtaining approvals.

Option 4: Defer scheme.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member agrees to:

i) Note the progress made on the delivery of the Haxby Station scheme.

ii)Progress Option 1 to deliver the station in accordance with standard procedures but defer commencement of further work, until the availability of funding for the delivery of the scheme is clarified. ^1.

REASON:                  To enable a high value for money scheme to be progressed whilst minimising the risk of abortive expenditure.