Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

12 February 2002

Provision of Waiting Shelter at Emsworth Station

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 10(X)
(Additional Item)

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

EMSWORTH STATION - WAITING SHELTER

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2002

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 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 Feb 02

(at Feb 02

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

-

-

Construction

15

15

Fees

-

-

15

15

Less developers/

other contributions

15

15

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

15

(b) Other

15

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

15

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

-

-

Capital charges

1.5

0.002

TOTAL net expenditure

1.5

0.002

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

There has been substantial vandalism over recent years at Emsworth rail station. The station operator has been able to repair most of this or lock buildings to prevent further damage. However, the waiting shelter on the eastbound (north) side platform was gradually reduced to a frame and has now been removed, as it provided no benefit to passengers.

The new station operator is planning substantial refurbishment and has already improved the closed circuit television (CCTV) system, but is not in a position to commit to major investment until the new Franchise Agreement with the Strategic Rail Authority has been signed - this could take until the end of this year. In any event, Emsworth is not likely to be high on the list of priorities from the 158 stations operated by South Central. In the meantime, there is no shelter for passengers on the north side platform.

A new design of 'vandal-resistant' shelter has been piloted on the Valley Lines in Wales, where vandalism has been a major problem. It has stood up well to vandalism and is simple to repair, with toughened glass panels which can be replaced relatively quickly. It has been adopted by Wales & West Trains at a number of stations. Usefully, it retains a large proportion of glass panels, therefore does not provide a safe haven for criminals from the attention of CCTV cameras.

It is proposed to fund this shelter at Emsworth:

(i) to provide immediate improvement for passengers at Emsworth and help encourage rail travel;

(ii) to test, as a pilot, the benefits of this shelter and demonstrate it to other train operators in Hampshire; and

(iii) to maintain Hampshire's profile with the new train operator, as a worthwhile local authority partner.

Total cost, including some spare panels, is approximately £15,000.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

The County Council's `Rail Infrastructure Blueprint' sets out the minimum objective of providing covered waiting areas/shelters at rail stations.

Details of scheme and design standards

Provision of a three-bay `vandal-resistant' waiting shelter, including front centre panel, seat and lighting (power to be provided with the station lights). Concrete base pads for shelter uprights will be provided by the station operator.

Environmental impact

None.

Land requirements

None.

Statutory procedures

None.

Public consultation

Consultation with parish councils and user groups was carried out as part of the formulation of the Rail Infrastructure Blueprint.

Facilities for the disabled

The shelter will be accessible to mobility impaired people, including those in wheelchairs, at such time as the platform itself becomes accessible.

Maintenance implications

The Station Operator will take responsibility for maintenance and future repairs.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The construction of the shelter will reduce damage, is resistant to graffiti and has high visibility to provide for personal security.

Sustainability

The improved shelter and personal security should contribute to making travelling by public transport more comfortable.

The design is durable and resistant to corrosion. It should therefore last substantially longer than normal shelters.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Provision of a standard shelter was considered and rejected because of the high incidence of vandalism.

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

None