Decision details

Cabinet received a report on the South East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) project, that involved the construction of approximately 1.1 miles of dual carriageway that would join the A413 Wendover Road with the B4443 Lower Road and the Stoke Mandeville Relief Road (SMRR). The project was being delivered as one project but in two phases. SEALR was part of the Aylesbury Orbital Link Road, which was a key infrastructure requirement to support the planned growth of Aylesbury and mitigate the impact of HS2.

The project had secured planning permission and external funding from various sources, including the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), HS2, and the Department for Transport (DfT). The project had completed early works and started the construction of the roundabout junctions on Wendover Road (A413) and Lower Road (B4443). The main construction works were expected to commence in July 2024 and complete by Summer 2026.

The project costs for SEALR Phase 1 and Phase 2 had increased significantly due to inflation and other factors. The report proposed to address the funding gap by reallocating savings from the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) Aylesbury Grid Reinforcements project and reducing the available HIF funding for the Woodlands development and the Eastern Link Road South. The report also recommended forward funding and underwriting the Department for Transport (DfT) contribution to mitigate the financial and programme risks of any delay in funding approval.

Approval was sought from Cabinet to adjust the capital budgets and release funding for SEALR Phase 1 and SEALR Phase 2. In addition, the report sought the necessary delegations to enable the Corporate Director for Communities and the Corporate Director for Planning Growth and Sustainability, in consultation with the Leader to proceed with the delivery of the main works for SEALR Phase 1.

This would enable the phased delivery of the South East Aylesbury Link Road, within required timeframes to achieve the intended programme and to give effect to the Previous Council Decisions.

As part of their deliberations, Cabinet also considered in confidential session the confidential information and appendices that were part of the agenda.

RESOLVED –

(1)             That the following increases in the SEALR budget be APPROVED, as set out in the confidential Appendix B and Appendix D

(a)      SEALR Phase 1 from £97,933,819 to £122,715,890.

(b)     SEALR Phase 2 from £16,788,869 to £25,225,052

(2)             That the release of the revised budget for SEALR Phase 2 of £25.2m be APPROVED, as set out in Confidential Appendix B and Appendix D.

(3)             That the release of the revised budget for SEALR Phase 1 of £122.7m be APPROVED, as set out in Confidential Appendix B and Appendix D, subject to Homes England approval and HS2 Funding Agreements.

(4)             That the following reductions in the Woodlands/Eastern Link Road South budget be APPROVED, as set out in Confidential Appendix B and subject to Homes England approval:

(a)      The permanent reduction of £11,727,127 of the available HIF funding.

(b)     The reduction of £13,472,000 of the available HIF funding to forward fund and underwrite SEALR Phase 1, pending the final approval of the business case by the Department for Transport.

(5)             That the previous decisions to acquire the land, rights, and interests for SEALR Phase 1 be RATIFIED, noting the increased risks set out in Confidential Appendix A and the revised budget in Confidential Appendix B.

(6)             That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Communities and the Corporate Director for Planning, Growth and Sustainability, in consultation with the Leader:

(a)      To proceed with the delivery of the main works for SEALR Phase 1, noting the risks set out in the Confidential Appendix B.

(b)    To take all necessary steps including to enter into any associated agreements, contracts or licenses required associated with the delivery and funding of SEALR Phase 1.