Decision details

To seek the Cabinet Member’s approval, subject to consultation with the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, to enter into an agreement to adopt a new bridge to carry the Trans Pennine Trail, to maintain the bridge and accept a commuted sum.

That the Cabinet Member approves, subject to consultation with the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, to enter into an agreement to adopt a new bridge to carry the Trans Pennine Trail, to maintain the bridge and accept a commuted sum.

It is important that the Trans Pennine Trail remains an off-road route and avoids unnecessary diversions. Adopting the bridge and accepting the commuted sum will ensure that the current route is retained when the canal is restored, and that maintenance of the bridge is provided for.

Option 1: Do not adopt the bridge into the Council’s structural asset register and therefore do not agree to maintain the bridge by acceptance of the commuted sum. In this scenario the CCT would adopt all responsibility for the TPT bridge and its future maintenance. CCT would, in effect, own the bridge and require a licence to occupy the Council’s land. Instead of paying the commuted sum to the Council, the CCT would hold the sum in a maintenance project fund to undertake works as and when required. However, there is no guarantee that the CCT will remain a solvent organisation in the future to fulfil these duties.

This option is not recommended as it removes the autonomy that the Council has to manage and safeguard the route of the TPT. There is also no guarantee that the CCT will remain a solvent organisation in the future.

Option 2: Do nothing. The TPT bridge would not be built. The bridge is fundamental in providing a continuous off-road cycling route between Chesterfield and South Yorkshire. Without the bridge a 1km diversion for the TPT along the highway would be necessary and for this reason this option is not recommended.