Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

15 January 2002

Project Appraisal: Gosport and Fareham Peninsula Interchanges, incorporating Fareham Bus Station Passenger Facilities, Fareham Railway Station Passenger Interchange Facilities, Gosport Bus Station Passenger Facilities

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 16

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ROADS

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

GOSPORT AND FAREHAM PENINSULA INTERCHANGES, INCORPORATING FAREHAM BUS STATION PASSENGER FACILITIES, FAREHAM RAILWAY STATION PASSENGER INTERCHANGE FACILITIES, GOSPORT BUS STATION PASSENGER FACILITIES

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2002

COMPLETION DATE:

DECEMBER 2002

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2001/02

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2001

(at 2001

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

198

198

Fees

17

17

215

215

Less developers/

other contributions

215

215

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

215

(b) Other

215

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

215

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

5

0.012

Capital charges

15

0.025

TOTAL net expenditure

20

0.037

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Gosport Bus Station, Fareham Bus Station and Fareham Rail Station are important interchange and destination points within the peninsula public transport network. An allocation of £105,000 has been made to Gosport and £145,000 to Fareham from the South East Hampshire Transport Strategy (SEHTS) budget over years 2001/02 and 2002/03 to improve the bus stations in line with recommendations from the County Council's Interchange Audit (based on the Institute of Logistics and Transport audit document 'Joining up the Journey') and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions' (DTLR) commissioned report Public Transport Interchanges: New Perspectives and a Blueprint for Change. The works will focus on short and medium-term improvements to information, safety and security, passenger facilities, accessibility, directional signing and ticketing. An allocation of £25,000 has been made in 2001/02 to the railway station to make interim improvements in information and minor infrastructure.

The County Council, Fareham Borough Council and Gosport Borough Council have common objectives to encourage greater use of public transport in Hampshire to address current and predicted traffic congestion problems. Interchanges are seen as focal points in the network which are vital in providing opportunities for passengers to make additional journeys by public transport.

The interchange improvement measures form part of the 2001-06 capital programme for SEHTS, and was approved by the SEHTS Panel in April 2001.

Although the bus and railway stations will be affected by the construction of the Light Rapid Transit system, it is important that improvements are carried out in the interim period. There is also a possibility that Gosport Bus Station will be sold to a developer in the next three or four years. In light of this, works at Gosport Bus Station will be targeted at delivering short-term low-cost improvements.

Research by the DTLR and Institute of Transport and Logistics has demonstrated that poor interchange opportunities are a significant barrier to public transport usage. From a passenger perspective, priorities are for a comfortable waiting environment, bus arrival information (preferably real- time), security (including CCTV and staffing), and clear and accurate directional information. Through this scheme these elements will be improved, together with accessibility, such as raised kerbs at all bus bays.

The measures at the interchanges will also be complemented by implementation of bus priority measures at key junctions (if feasible) and other improvements on the main A32 corridor linking the bus stations. These proposals will be reported separately.

An area-wide Quality Bus Partnership with First Provincial is also being explored alongside these measures. This will examine the potential for new ticketing technologies, information improvements and service enhancements, in addition to the low-floor buses which have been introduced.

Interchange upgrades at Fareham Railway Station covered in this appraisal are aimed at developing opportunities of bus-rail interchange based on the current layout. This will be through improved pedestrian signage, public transport information and new facilities such as bus shelters. There are no planned bus facilities within railway station land, as there are no bus services that enter the railway station forecourt. This is subject to revision should the operator decide to reroute some bus services into the station.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

The proposals are consistent with the SEHTS objectives of enhancing travel choice, increasing interchange opportunities and improving the public transport network.

Details of scheme and design standards

The bus station improvements have been allocated £250,000 in years 2001/02 and 2002/03 (£105,000 at Gosport, £145,000 at Fareham). A further £25,000 has been allocated in 2001/02 to Fareham Railway Station.

Location

Capital Programme Budget £'000

2001/02

2002/03

Fareham Bus Station

70

75

Gosport Bus Station

60

45

Fareham Railway Station

25

N/A

Civil engineering works at Gosport Bus Station will be supervised by Gosport Borough Council on a fee basis. Other improvements to passenger amenities will be controlled by Hampshire County Council. All works at Fareham Bus Station will be supervised by the County Council. Approval for the 2001/02 capital programme allocation at Gosport Bus Station, which amounts to £60,000 of the £105,000 stated above, was granted by the Executive Member in December 2001.

A programme of measures at the bus stations has been agreed with the Borough Councils and with the major bus operator, First Provincial. These include:

(i) improved lighting to enhance security and safety, and to create a pleasant atmosphere and ambience;

(ii) new backlit information and timetable displays with local area maps, network route maps, colour coded departure signs and service branding, lit bay signs and directional signing within and outside the bus stations;

(iii) raised kerbs to provide level access at bus bays to improve access for people with reduced mobility and parents with younger children;

(iv) general environmental improvements, including repainting, possibly a community-designed mural, and planting or other architectural features; and

(v) safety notices aimed at drivers and pedestrians to reduce potential conflicts, and to bring safety to levels recommended by the Health and Safety Executive for sawtooth bay bus stations.

The above measures will be implemented in 2001/02. Those shown below will be carried out in 2002/03:

(i) Bus Departure Information System (BDIS) at Fareham Bus Station, designed to be migrated to offer real time capabilities when available; and

(ii) automatic or manual doors and screens to enhance security and comfort.

CCTV is already in place at Fareham Bus Station. There are also plans to install a pan-tilt-zoom camera at Gosport Bus Station, linked to the Gosport Town Centre CCTV control centre. This will be funded by Gosport Borough Council separately from this programme.

The programme of works at Gosport Bus Station has been designed so that the majority of installations can be removed and reused if the site is redeveloped.

Works at Fareham Railway Station include new bus shelters, bus information displays and directional signing. Most of the installations at the bus station will be removable and reusable should the Light Rapid Transit project affect the internal layout of the bus station.

Environmental impact

The majority of the works will take place inside the existing bus station buildings, but will improve the aesthetic environment substantially. Minor improvements to lighting, signage and footways in close proximity will benefit the built environment.

Land requirements

No land acquisition required. The works will be confined to land owned by the Borough Councils or to public highways.

Statutory procedures

No statutory procedures are involved.

Public consultation

The proposals have been developed in consultation with the bus operators and Borough Councils.

A small on-site survey will be carried out of passengers and non-passengers at all three interchanges. The survey will be used to provide a statistical base for measuring key metrics of interchange performance such as:

(i) total journeys and journeys with interchange;

(ii) perceptions of safety, information, comfort and security;

(iii) attitudes towards making journeys involving an interchange;

(iv) attitudes towards local bus services; and

(v) passenger observations, passed to the County Council and Borough Councils by South West Trains and First, have been used in the development of the improvements programme.

Facilities for the disabled

Raised kerbs at bus bays will complement other high kerb works at key bus stop points in Gosport. Additionally, minor improvements to the bus bays are planned, including widening the boarding points, improved lighting and safety notices.

First Provincial is investing in new super low floor vehicles on services that operate between the two bus stations. Some services already operate exclusively with low floor vehicles. This will provide level access for people with mobility restrictions.

Maintenance implications

The bus stations are owned by the Borough Councils and leased to First Provincial. Under the lease terms it will be the latter who assume responsibility for maintenance costs, including cleaning and utilities. Some improvements, such as BDIS, have an integral maintenance component in the capital equipment cost which will reduce maintenance costs.

Information provision and updating, such as timetables and maps in the bus stations is, and will continue to be, provided by First Provincial.

Local Members' Views

The local Members - Councillors Ellis and Geddes - have been informed and are supportive of the proposals.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Many of the measures are aimed at improving security and perceptions of personal safety. Elements such as CCTV and improved lighting should have a direct impact on anti-social behaviour.

Sustainability

Improved public transport infrastructure and information contributes to encouraging sustainable travel behaviour through consideration of public transport as a viable alternative to the car.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Not applicable.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

Bus Interchanges Audit Study, September 2001 - File 15/4

Scheme Working File - File 15/4

County Surveyor's Department

Passenger Transport Group, Strategy Team

Passenger Transport Group, Strategy Team