It was reported that in June 2009, Cabinet had agreed the Rainham Compass regeneration programme, which included as one of its key improvement projects a traffic management scheme to allow one-way working and short-term parking on Upminster Road South, through the extension of Viking Way.

The report before Cabinet proposedthe appropriation of 880 square metres of Open Space under the Local Government Act 1972, Section 122 (2A), Appropriation of Land for Highway purposes. The open space was situated at Rainham Recreation Ground and the appropriation was required to enable the extension of Viking Way to Upminster Road South as part of the £1.5m Rainham Traffic Management Scheme. Notices of the proposed appropriation were advertised in the Romford Recorder on two consecutive weeks, 17 and 24June 2011, posted around the proposed area and displayed in the PASC (Public Advice Service Centres).

It was noted that following a consultation period of four weeks which ended on 15 July 2011, no objections or representations were received by the Council.

The extension of Viking Way was identified as a Site Specific Allocation in the Local Development Framework and Planning Permission had been granted for the scheme.

            Reasons for the decision:

To enable the extension of Viking Way to Upminster Road South and enable the highways and public realm improvements of the Rainham Traffic Management Scheme, as previously agreed by Cabinet (24 June 2009)

            Other options considered:

1.      A two-way running extension to Viking Way option was considered and presented at public consultation in September 2010. This two-way option required additional open space above the 880 square metres currently being considered. The current single carriageway extension to Viking Way was favoured by the public and the two-way working option was rejected.

2.      The only remaining alternative option would be not to appropriate the open space and therefore sacrifice delivery of the £1.5m project, funded by Transport for London and Design for London, for the Rainham Compass programme.  This option was rejected.

Cabinet AGREED:

That, having considered all representations, (no representations were made) following consultation, to approve the appropriation for highway purposes of 880 square metres of Open Space at Rainham Recreation ground, extending east from Viking Way to meet Upminster Road South, as detailed on the attached plan to the report.