A £16m project to encourage more sustainable travel and improve connectivity to and from communities north of Dundee city centre is set to progress, as councillors are to vote on a £1.4m contract for pre-construction work on transformation of the Bell Street Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) to a low carbon sustainable transport hub.

Mark Flynn convener of the Council's city development committee said: "This is an important part of our push for greater access to sustainable active travel options for more people in communities north of the city centre.

"When complete the green hub and spokes project will make a significant contribution towards our goal of creating a greener city made up of strong communities where people feel empowered and safe, and where we are tackling climate change to reach our target of net zero emissions by 2045."

In January, the UK Government confirmed that Dundee City Council's proposed Green Transport Hub and Spokes project had been provisionally awarded capital funding from the UK Levelling Up Fund subject to subsidy checks. These are ongoing and a grant offer is expected in Autumn.

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The green hub and spokes project is designed to:

• improve access and connectivity to employment, education, health and leisure facilities in the city for active travel;

• reduce carbon emissions by increasing the number of low carbon journey types;

• encouraging a move from private car to active travel;

• lessen congestion by encouraging people to use alternatives to a car;

• increased provision of EV charging infrastructure;

• greater EV uptake to improve air quality and cut carbon emissions; and

• minimise deliveries within the city centre by motorised vehicles, reducing congestion and increasing convenience for businesses.

It will also see significant physical upgrades to the existing Bell Street MSCP to deliver an attractive and fit for purpose facility which will form a visual representation of the city's commitment to changing transport in Dundee.

Meanwhile a project development and delivery programme has been prepared and to move forward a pre-construction services delivery stage is required.

The council has engaged McLaughlin and Harvey to provide an initial feasibility study leading to design development through an agreement under the SCAPE Framework. Work includes programme development, risk management and cost planning services to confirm that the proposals are to the budget and the timescales required by the Department for Transport.

According to a report to go before the city development committee on Monday (June 26) using the contractors' expertise from an early stage will allow engagement of key supply chain partners to drive best value, manage long-lead in times and enable the technical design development.

Councillors will be asked to approve the tender for pre-contract work, and told that a further report covering construction work will be brought back to a future committee for approval.

It is expected that the construction phase of the project will start in spring next year and will take up to two years to complete.