Decision details

To enter into a Highways Agreement with Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) to enable Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) to proceed with phase 1 improvement works on Cheltenham High Street East.

High Street East requires significant improvement to enhance its attraction as a destination for shoppers and recreational users. CBC’s approach reflects its wider ambition for place as set out in the emerging place strategy.

In order for CBC to finalise the appointment of its works contractor and to undertake the works to the highway a formal agreement is required with the Highways Authority (Gloucestershire County Council) under the Highways Act (1980) as set out in its ‘Manual for Gloucestershire Streets’.

The draft Agreement entails costs to CBC of no more than £75,000. These will be met by the project budget.

The draft Agreement sets out certain other obligations for CBC, for example to gain technical approval to the works from GCC and to ensure the works meet GCC standards.

Without a formal Agreement the highway works cannot legally be undertaken.

All consultees are supportive of the decision to progress with the first phase of improvement works as a priority and to therefore enter into a Highways Agreement with GCC.

The decision has been informed by discussions at the High Street East Project Board.

Consultation on the proposals which form the basis of the agreement has been undertaken with:

1.      The public (an exhibition of plans was held in the Regents Arcade on 24^th March 2018)

2.      Cheltenham’s Member of Parliament

3.      The Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for Development and Safety, and wider Cabinet

4.      CBC members and GCC members for Cheltenham constituencies

5.      Overview and Scrutiny Committee

6.      Key stakeholders at regular meetings with Cheltenham Business Improvement District, John Lewis Partnership, Cheltenham Development Taskforce and Gloucestershire County Council

7.      Gloucestershire County Council at the GCC / CBC Highways Liaison Meeting

8.      Businesses on High St East and adjoining roads

9.      Cheltenham Development Task Force Board (quarterly board meeting)

10.   Executive Board

High St East Project Board