1.  That the outcome of the public engagement process be noted.

2. That Option F be approved as the route for the new Carrington Relief Road and that  the Corporate Director of Place be authorised to:

a.    engage external resources where this will assist in implementing the relief road, including a professional team where reasonably required.

b.    Commission, submit and/or authorise as appropriate:

i) an application for planning permission to deliver the relief road; and

ii) any surveys/investigations where such surveys will reduce risks and/or assist with the preparation, submission and resolution of any planning permission application, or any other usual pre-construction survey or investigation.

c.    authorise community engagement and consultations where the Corporate Director deems it necessary or advantageous

3. That the funding position for the next development phase be noted.

4. That the current funding gap and strategy for securing further funds be noted.

The recommendations represent key milestones in the overall strategic programme for delivery of the Carrington Relief Road. It is important that the project retains momentum and avoids time delays as the risk to external funding is significant, and developers are outlining further proposals that will rely on an improved transport network.  Long-standing issues around the performance of the network have caused significant frustration for the residents of Carrington and Partington and providing this new road will deliver far-reaching mitigating benefits.

To do nothing in terms of selecting a preferred option and approval to move to the planning stage of the scheme. This would mean that the project would fall behind its strategic programme. The consequences of this would be to risk losing external funding which is time-limited, and ultimately stifling any further development of the Carrington area due to lack of network capacity.