Green travel scheme challenged by councillors

A rarely used council process has been triggered to force a local authority to reconsider approving plans for a green travel scheme which are unpopular with residents.

Middlesbrough councillors have triggered the "call in" process after a travel scheme was given the green light despite nearly two thirds of resident respondents responding negatively to it.

If it goes ahead there will be "improved pedestrian facilities" as well as a continuous cycling route from Mandale roundabout over to Marton Road, near the James Cook University Hospital.

Five independent councillors signed the proposal to allow councillors to vote on Friday to send the decision back to the executive for reconsideration.

Even if it is sent back to them the board might decide it is satisfied with the decision making process, or it could request a deferral until it has the opportunity to view additional evidence.

Councillor Jackie Young proposed the "call in" and Ian Morrish, Tony Grainge, Stephen Hill and Donna Jones supported it, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The reasons given on the "call in" form state "inadequate consultation with stakeholders", "inadequate or inaccurate evidence being relied upon" and "not all relevant matters being fully taken into account by the decision-maker".

The Tees Valley Combined Authority has estimated the cost of the scheme at about £10.4m and it will manage the procurement and delivery of the proposals alongside the council.

The scheme will have no financial impact on the local authority's medium term financial plan as TVCA gained the funding from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram and listen to Radio Tees on BBC Sounds.