Agenda item

1.            To note that Appendix 1 to this report is not for publication on the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings, as set out in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

2.            To approve the making of one or more of the following legal instruments, subject to the outcome of the consultation referred to in recommendation 3 below:

a.      A road user charging scheme under s295 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999;

b.      A tollorder unders6 NewRoads andStreet WorksAct 1991to authorise the levying of tolls for vehicles crossing Hammersmith Bridge in association with:

i.    A specialroad scheme unders16 Highways Act 1980 to specify; Hammersmith Bridge as a special road and to designate the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham as the special road authority; and

ii.   A supplementary order under s18 Highways Act 1980 to make ancillaryprovision togive effectto thetoll orderand specialroad scheme.

3.            To approve the undertaking of consultation in relation to the above proposed instruments. The outcome of this consultation will be reported to Cabinet in a furtherreport. Ifthe consultationleads tothe recommendationsin paragraph2 above being changed, this subsequent report will reflect those amended recommendations. The further report will recommend which of the above instruments should be approved. This will depend on the outcome of the consultation and further discussions with TfL.

4.            To approve inprinciple that– ifa tollorder ismade –tolls willbe chargeableby a concessionaire.

5.            To agree thatthe procurementstrategy approvedby theCabinet on10 October 2022 be amended so that the evaluation criteria will be 50% quality and 50% price.

6.            To note the financial matters set out in the Financial Impact Section of the Report.

Councillor Sharon Holder stated that the Government expected the Council to fund a third of the total costs of the Bridge repair. Therefore, this report recommended the making of a toll order or road user charging scheme to meet the Council’s share of the construction costs and pay for the continuing operation and maintenance of the Bridge.

Councillor Andrew Dinsmore asked when the Bridge would be fully open to all traffic.

Councillor Holder replied that the Council had given an update of every step of the Bridge repair.  Given that there had not been a response yet from the Department of Transport regarding the Council’s outline business case, they were not in a position to have a confirmed reopening date.

Councillor Dinsmore asked if the toll order or road user charging scheme led to a surplus of money how would that money be used.

Councillor Holder replied that the Council would not be directly responsible for providing the toll order or road user charging scheme. Negotiations would need to be discussed with the actual provider.

Councillor Ben Coleman added that this solution would mean that no services would need to be cut to pay for the Bridge. However, they would need full Government support.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE CABINET MEMBERS:

1.            To note that Appendix 1 to this report is not for publication on the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings, as set out in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

2.            To approve the making of one or more of the following legal instruments, subject to the outcome of the consultation referred to in recommendation 3 below:

a.      A road user charging scheme under s295 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999;

b.      A tollorder unders6 NewRoads andStreet WorksAct 1991to authorise the levying of tolls for vehicles crossing Hammersmith Bridge in association with:

i.    A specialroad scheme unders16 Highways Act 1980 to specify; Hammersmith Bridge as a special road and to designate the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham as the special road authority; and

ii.   A supplementary order under s18 Highways Act 1980 to make ancillaryprovision togive effectto thetoll orderand specialroad scheme.

3.            To approve the undertaking of consultation in relation to the above proposed instruments. The outcome of this consultation will be reported to Cabinet in a furtherreport. Ifthe consultationleads tothe recommendationsin paragraph2 above being changed, this subsequent report will reflect those amended recommendations. The further report will recommend which of the above instruments should be approved. This will depend on the outcome of the consultation and further discussions with TfL.

4.            To approve inprinciple that– ifa tollorder ismade –tolls willbe chargeableby a concessionaire.

5.            To agree thatthe procurementstrategy approvedby theCabinet on10 October 2022 be amended so that the evaluation criteria will be 50% quality and 50% price.

6.            To note the financial matters set out in the Financial Impact Section of the Report.