Issue - meetings

The report proposes a scope to enable the development of the Fen Roads Economic Impact Assessment for Peat Soil Affected Roads.

RESOLVED:

To note the draft scope for the Economic Impact Assessment for Peat Soil Affected Roads and provide feedback.

Anna Graham, Transport Manager introduced the report which provided members of the Committee with an opportunity to review the scope of the Economic Impact Assessment for Peat Soil Affected Roads and provide feedback.  

During discussion, the following points were noted: 

a.    The impact of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on rural roads that were not built to support such weight, and therefore led to further deterioration, was highlighted. Farm equipment, although heavy, was generally designed to spread weight over a larger area, which lessened the impact compared to HGVs. 

b.    Members noted the progress at the County level, including trials with in-house design methods using recycled materials, which had shown positive results for road resilience. 

c.     The Mayor stressed that the project aligned with the Combined Authority’s priority to invest meaningfully in the Fens, aiming to correct years of underinvestment. 

d.    The project’s importance in highlighting the unique challenges of the region and its potential to serve as a model for other areas with similar issues was highlighted 

e.    The Chair noted recent insights from discussions about rail freight, underscoring that each fully laden freight train could replace up to 129 lorries, which highlighted the potential of rail as a way to reduce road wear from HGVs. 

f.      Officers commented on emerging road renewal technologies, including the use of geogrids to reinforce road structure with minimal material usage. 

RESOLVED  

A.    To note the draft scope for the Economic Impact Assessment for Peat Soil Affected Roads and Members are invited to provide feedback.