Decision details

To utilise £15,592 from the Invest to Save budget to commission an options analysis report to inform discussions with Derbyshire County Council to install a signalised junction at the A61/Mill Lane junction.

To utilise WSP as provider of works.

Discussions are being held with Derbyshire County Council (DCC) regarding options of developing the junction at Mill Lane and the A61, which is required in order for the Council to best unlock development land on The Avenue site and generate associated income.

Previous DCC Highways plans have identified a roundabout as their proposed solution, with costs estimated at circa £7.5m. To implement these works NEDDC would also be required to purchase private developer-owned land at significant commercial rates.

NEDDC has previously commissioned WSP to undertake feasibility work on alternative more cost effective options to inform discussions with DCC, which include the installation of a signalised junction. This would have significantly lower costs whilst dealing with the increase traffic capacity issues. DCC has requested a technical Options Analysis to consider this further to enable them to complete their considerations up to the planning pre-application stage.

Commissioning WSP to produce this Analysis will maintain consistency of approach for the work undertaken to date. Both NEDDC and DCC value the level of service specifically provided by WSP and retaining their involvement will maintain confidence of both parties. No further extension of contractual arrangements with WSG will be required and any additional support for the full application would be commissioned through the standard procurement process.

Completing this work as soon as possible would inform the decision to submit a planning application and bid for the One Public Estate (OPE) Brownfield Land funds that will be available from March 2024.

Utilising £15,592 of Invest to Save Reserves for this Analysis will strengthen NEDDC’s planning application business case to install a signalised junction instead of a roundabout, significantly reducing the construction and associated land purchase costs whilst also expediting the release of development land income from The Avenue.

Approaching the market for alternative service providers would risk adversely affect the consistency in the reports and the working relationships currently respected by both local authority parties, removing the benefits of the established track record. It would also add at least 4-5 weeks to the timescale by going through the RFQ process.