Decision details

A presentation was made by officers from Jacobs, with copies of the consultants' report on the scheme being made available with the full agenda prior to the meeting. It was noted that the scheme would deliver high value for money and meets the LEP's accountability framework.  It was also noted that the Environmental Impact Assessment had yet to be conducted.

To ensure the benefits of the scheme are maximised, it is critical that Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (BwDBC), Lancashire County Council (LCC) and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) should continue to lobby for the scheme to be delivered at the earliest opportunity and before 2017.

Any overspends on the scheme would be met by BwDBC. The letter from the s151 officer would be updated to reflect this.

Resolved: The Committee endorsed Jacobs' recommendation that the Blackburn to Manchester Rail Corridor Improvement Scheme should be granted Full Approval status, thus enabling the scheme to draw down Growth Deal funds and proceed to implementation.