Decision details

Quality Streets Active Travel and Digital Infrastructure – Doncaster Town Centre will link inspirational design, digital technology infrastructure to provide cohesive and sustainable connectivity. This scheme continues the recent Quality Streets programme and will deliver highway improvements, cycle lanes, improved public realm supporting and enable investment in urban centre employment and residential development.
Combining Transforming Cities Fund and Getting Building Fund, the scheme will improve the connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians through the urban centre to the station and Civic and Cultural Quarter. Additionally, it will use this opportunity for the installation of high-speed digital infrastructure which will maximise business opportunities in a digital age, going forward.
The opportunity to combine both funds will deliver the preferred scheme to St Sepulchre Gate, Duke Street, Cleveland Street and Wood Street. The works will be carried out in 2 phases commencing with Phase 1: St Sepulchre Gate and Duke Street. Phase 2 will consist of Cleveland Street and Wood Street. The benefits include new segregated cycle lanes, improved and enhanced public realm making the streetscape more attractive for pedestrians, and works to the highway.
On 9 March 2021 Cabinet approved the progression to Funding Agreement stage and the subsequent acceptance of funding (subject to the negotiation of acceptable terms and conditions with the grant sponsor).
The Cabinet report agreed to the:
1.Progression to Funding Agreement stage and the subsequent acceptance of £9m SCR funding (subject to the negotiation of acceptable terms and conditions with the grant sponsor).
2.Delegated negotiating and agreeing the terms of the funding agreement to the Director of Economy

That approval is given to:
•Enter into a Funding Agreement with SCR and draw down the combined Getting Building Fund (GBF) £5.5m and Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) £3.5m which gives a total of £9m grant awarded in respect of the Quality Streets Active Travel and Digital Infrastructure Programme.
•Accept the funding into Doncaster Council’s capital programme.
•To award constructions contracts to Eurovia via Midlands Highway Framework (MHA) framework

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED
Option 1 – Do Nothing:
The option of doing nothing, in terms of not signing the Funding Agreement is not recommended. Failure to agree the Funding Agreement with SCR will result in the loss of £9m grant funding and the programme not commencing. The opportunity to improve active travel and visitor experience in the town centre will be lost.
Option 2: Enter into Funding Agreement
If the Council enters into the Funding Agreement with SCR, it will be in a position to claim grant monies to fund the delivery of the scheme in full. These works will facilitate the improvements to the public realm and increase active travel in the area.
The recommended option is Option 2: Enter into Funding Agreement.
Failure to enter into Funding Agreement will not allow Doncaster to progress the scheme delivery and will result in Doncaster not benefiting from potential investment.