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1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out details of the monitoring exercise undertaken in March 2001 as part of the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport (BEST). This involved an extensive programme of surveys covering road traffic, cycling, pedestrian activity, bus and train use, and air quality. In addition, information was obtained on activity in the town centre, illustrating how the monitoring has diversified and involves a wide range of stakeholders. The data included in the report is presented on a comparable basis with previous data collected so that the monitoring is consistent with other surveys. The report details the surveys undertaken and the results obtained.

2. Introduction

2.1 BEST requires considerable survey work and monitoring to meet the requirements of the Hampshire Local Transport Plan 2001-2006 and to ensure that the strategy and its component schemes are fulfilling the objectives set down. The Road Traffic Reduction Act places further requirements on local authorities to assess levels of traffic in their area.

2.2 While a number of surveys were undertaken previously, notably in 1999 (reported on 14 February 2000), the surveys undertaken in March 2001 have been the most comprehensive to date. A similar round of surveys is expected to be undertaken biennially. The County Council's Transpol household questionnaire surveys took place at the same time to gain a fuller picture of travel patterns and attitudes in the Basingstoke area. Transpol was last undertaken in 1995 and comparisons can be drawn between the two sets of data.

2.3 The comprehensive nature of these surveys indicates that considerable resources need to be deployed to achieve the level of monitoring required in support of the Local Transport Plan Annual Progress Report and the Road Traffic Reduction Act.

3. Local Transport Plan Annual Progress Report

3.1 The County Council's first Annual Progress Report (APR) was submitted to the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) in August 2001. The APR provides the main mechanism for reporting back to Central Government on how the Local Transport Plan (LTP) is being implemented, as well as providing an opportunity to show progress made in working on the objectives and targets contained in the LTP. The APR also enables a report to be made on particular achievements in delivering the LTP to residents, interest groups and other stakeholders.

3.2 Initial indications are that the APR has been well received, although a formal response will not be given until December. At that time the indicative allocations for funding in 2002/03 will be confirmed and comments made on the APR document itself and the progress made in delivering the capital programme.

4. Surveys Undertaken

4.1 A range of sources was used to provide information, including the following:

(i) Road traffic counts were undertaken on all the radial routes into Basingstoke, links on Ringway and a number of selected sites (see Table 1). Where appropriate equipment exists, automatic counts have been undertaken, supplemented by manual classified counts. In addition, some vehicle occupancy counts were undertaken to assess how vehicles are being used.

(ii) The number of bus users was obtained by counting people boarding and alighting from buses at selected locations. In addition, Stagecoach Hampshire Bus provided data to indicate the overall levels of use.

(iii) Counts were undertaken of the numbers of people boarding and alighting from trains at Basingstoke, Overton, Whitchurch and Bramley Stations. In addition, the number of cycles parked at stations was recorded.

(iv) Cycle counts were undertaken at selected locations.

(v) Pedestrian flows were measured at key locations. The scope of pedestrian counts could be extended in future surveys although the layout of the town centre in particular makes accurate recording difficult.

(vi) The number of heavy commercial vehicles was observed through the manual classified count surveys.

(vii) Currently, ticket sales data is available for the Borough Council's car parks. The levels of occupancy of town centre car parks will be more readily obtained in the future when data is collected for use with the real-time information systems to be installed.

(viii) Air quality information is recorded by the Borough Council.

(ix) The level of trade activity in the town centre has clearly been influenced by the redevelopment.

5. Survey Results - Transpol Household Questionnaire Surveys

5.1 The Transpol household questionnaire surveys are undertaken throughout Hampshire, designed to collect information on travel behaviour and public attitudes towards various transport related issues. Respondents are asked to provide information regarding the nature of their household, their own travel patterns, the factors influencing their travel choice and their perceptions of different modes of transport and travel options in the county.

5.2 Transpol surveys were undertaken in Basingstoke in February 2001. A total of 4,600 questionnaires were distributed with a response rate of 30%, an encouraging rate for this type of postal self-completion questionnaire. A previous round of Transpol surveys was undertaken in Basingstoke in 1995 and some comparisons have been drawn between the two data sets. The main results of the 2001 surveys were as follows.

Trip Rates

5.3 The average daily trip rate for all journey lengths was 2.18 with older people making fewer journeys than younger people. Similar trip rates were evident in the Basingstoke urban area as well as in other, rural parts of the BEST area.

Modal Split

5.4 Over 81% of journeys were made by car with a higher proportion made by car in the urban area compared with the rural area. Of the total, 6.7% of journeys were made by bus, 6.8% by walking and 2.8% by train. A small proportion of journeys is made by cycle (1.2% in the urban area and 1.5% in the rural area). Of the respondents, 9% did not own a car compared with 11% in 1995 but ownership is lower in the rural area.

Workplace and Peak Time Journeys

5.5 Of the respondents, 58% work within the BEST area compared with 64% in 1995, while 18% commute to Berkshire (previously 9%). Around 6% continue to travel to London.

User Characteristics

5.6 Age and gender characteristics of users of each travel mode have been tabulated and compared. Buses were most used by the 18 to 24 age group and by females in all age groups. More females walked and used taxis but many more males than females cycled, especially in the 35 to 44 age group.

Modal Use

5.7 A higher proportion of respondents `never' travelled by bus in 2001 compared with 1995 and this may be attributable to longer commuting journeys and the small increase in car use. Buses were generally used in the absence of an alternative but a higher proportion of positive attributes for bus services were cited. The main reason for travelling by car was journey time, although respondents also identified poor public transport as a factor in their travel choice. Trains were considered to be `less stressful' in 2001 compared with 1995. Cyclists continued to state health reasons as being important.

Rating of Attributes

5.8 The least satisfactory aspects of bus services were waiting facilities, information, frequency, reliability and overall service quality. In contrast, rail users identified fares as the least satisfactory aspect of their journey. However, ease of boarding/alighting, frequency and personal security were seen as relatively positive attributes.

Transport Options

5.9 Thirteen transport options were ranked by respondents in order of importance. These included:

(i) improved public transport;

(ii) better provision for mobility impaired people;

(iii) reducing road accidents, casualties and their severity;

(iv) better provision for cyclists;

(v) better provision for pedestrians;

(vi) new road building;

(vii) charging motorists for use of busy town centre roads or workplace parking;

(viii) more town centre parking;

(ix) better maintenance of roads, footways and cycle routes;

(x) giving more space to buses, cyclists and pedestrians rather than cars;

(xi) making it easier to transfer between modes, eg bus/rail;

(xii) work with businesses to reduce the number of car journeys they attract; and

(xiii) safer routes to schools.

5.10 The most important measures are believed to be improved public transport, followed by better maintenance and reducing road accidents. Charging for motorists was the least popular option.

School Travel

5.11 The proportion of car based journeys to school rose from around 40% in 1995 to 45% in 2001. Compared with 1995, more children travel to school by car rather than walk for shorter journeys. While the proportion of walking trips has declined, the proportion of bus journeys has risen marginally and remains the most common mode of transport for older children.

6. Survey Results - Traffic Data

6.1 The traffic count sites are located on the Ringway cordon. All vehicles entering and leaving the centre of Basingstoke were counted. Table 1 shows the traffic flows recorded at each of the main cordon points around the Ringway in 1999 and 2001. Compared with 1999 overall flows are down by 4% due to a reduction on A339 Ringway North. However, this is likely to be attributable to the town centre redevelopment activity; if these tables are not included then the total flow has increased by 2% in 2001 compared with 1999.

Table 1: Traffic flows around Ringway cordon, Basingstoke

(manual classified count data, 12 hour two-way flows, 7 am-7 pm)

*1998 count

6.2 The count site at A3010 Churchill Way East, for example, gives an indication of the number of vehicles travelling through the town centre, the total daily flow rising from 15,698 in 1999 to 22,468 in 2001.

6.3 Table 2 shows the peak traffic flows recorded at each of the main cordon points. Compared to 1999 morning peak flow in 2001 is up by 2.3%. The morning peak flow on A339 Ringway North has decreased.

Table 2

Ringway cordon traffic count morning peak flows (8-9 am)

(manual classified count data, 12 hour two-way flows)

6.4 Table 3 shows data from the permanent traffic count sites 1996 to 2000 located around Basingstoke town centre.

Table 3

Permanent count site traffic data

6.5 The surveys recorded vehicle occupancy levels on two major approaches to Basingstoke. The 2001 tables can be used as a baseline for future comparisons (see Table 4).

Table 4

Vehicle occupancy at selected locations

(all vehicles including cars, motorcycles, light and heavy commercial vehicles, 12 hour two-way flows)

Bus Passengers

6.6 Table 5 shows the number of passengers recorded on bus services in Basingstoke; however, the network of services has changed since 1999. The 2001 counts were established on the basis of the revised network.

Table 5

Number of bus passengers (two-way count, 12 hour period)

Rail Data

6.7 Table 6 shows the level of usage in rail services in Basingstoke and the surrounding network.

Table 6

Rail passengers (daily 12 hour)

6.8 Table 7 shows the level of rail services around Basingstoke during the morning peak hour (0800 to 0900). The number of passengers at Basingstoke during the morning peak hour accounted for 16% of the total number of passengers at this station.

Table 7

Rail passengers (morning peak hour 0800 to 0900)

6.9 Table 8 shows the carriage of cycles on trains.

Table 8

Cycle carriage on trains (daily 12 hour: cyclists included in Table 8)

6.10 Table 9 shows car parking use at Basingstoke station. The tables indicate that the north side car park is mostly used.

Table 9

Car parking at Basingstoke Station (11am occupancy)

Cycling

6.11 Cycle use was monitored at each of the cordon sites and shows the number of cyclists over a 12 hour period (see Table 10). The table shows a decrease in the number of cyclists at these cordon sites of 36% between 1999 and 2001, although these surveys are only a sample of cycling activity. Further surveys, including comprehensive cycle parking surveys, will be undertaken with the assistance of local cycling groups.

Table 10

Cycle flows at cordon sites (12 hour two-way flows)

Pedestrian Data

6.12 Pedestrian counts were undertaken at selected points (bridges and underpasses) around the Ringway. Additional pedestrian counts in the town centre (The Walks) were carried out, which will be incorporated into the ongoing monitoring programme. The table shows an increase in the number of pedestrians at these sites of 24% between 1999 and 2001; the number of pedestrians at Popley Way and Lansley Road Bridge have increased significantly (see Table 11).

Table 11

Pedestrian flows at cordon sites (12 hour two-way flows)

Heavy Commercial Vehicles

6.13 Heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) were recorded as part of the manual classified counts (see Table 12). The table shows an increase in HCVs of 2.6% between 1999 and 2001. In all cases where tables are comparable the HCV proportions are low compared with the 7% national average.

Table 12

Heavy commercial vehicles as proportion of total traffic flow

(12 hour two-way flows)

Air Quality

6.14 The National Air Quality Strategy requires the review and assessment of air quality, usually as a three stage process. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has undertaken a project equivalent to a Stage Three review for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter for both current and future situations. The study investigated a number of specific areas close to the M3 motorway and other heavily used routes identified in the Stage Two assessment as being at potential risk of exceeding objectives. The results indicate that it is likely that the air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide and PM10 will be met at all locations assessed where the public might be exposed for the relevant periods.

Town Centre Trade Activity

6.15 The Basingstoke Town Centre Management Group has been working in partnership with other agencies to develop business interests and links with transport activities. The town centre is undergoing comprehensive redevelopment known as Festival Place, with completion expected in autumn 2002. Festival Place will provide over one million square feet of retail and leisure space and will be approximately double the size of the existing shopping centre, The Walks. It will include 70 new shop units and a new bus station. The town centre complex will serve a potential catchment of around 800,000 people living within 30 minutes travel time and with an estimated annual spend of over £2.6 billion. Through the Town Centre Management Group, information will be collected on footfall, trade activity and the number of visitors.

Car Parking

6.16 Information regarding the use of the town centre car parks has been obtained from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, most tickets being purchased for periods up to two hours (see Table 13).

Table 13

Car park ticket sales for Basingstoke town centre

6.17 The data suggests that while the number of car park tickets sold has increased since September 2000, the largest increase in demand has been for short stay spaces. However, the disruption caused by the town centre redevelopment has influenced parking patterns as car parking supply has changed and relocated. Further changes are expected prior to the opening of Festival Place and additional data from private sector car park operators will be sought.

6.18 More detailed information will become available with the installation of count equipment at eight car parks connected to the variable message signs to be installed on approaches to the town centre. This system will be introduced for the opening of Festival Place and connected with the County Council's Traffic and Travel Information Centre. Such systems are well supported by the public, according to surveys, and will make more efficient use of the road network and reduce vehicle emissions.

Town Centre Shopmobility

6.19 Basingstoke Shopmobility is part of a national scheme to help people with restricted mobility. A modern facility in the town centre provides appropriate parking for cars and Dial-a-Ride buses, and provides powered scooters and wheelchairs. The number of users has increased continuously since 1998. In June 2001, 432 Shopmobility journeys were made compared with 288 in June 1998.

Crime and Disorder

6.20 Reported crime statistics reflect in part on how people perceive and use different forms of transport. It is intended to report information on vehicle crime and personal safety as part of future monitoring.

7. Conclusion

7.1 The extensive survey work undertaken provides a wide range of indicators for transport activities in the BEST area. The data obtained will be compared with future surveys to establish trends and changes in transport behaviour and levels of activity and provide a strong base for comparison with future surveys. This data will be used in assessing the impact of BEST initiatives over a longer time period and in reviewing progress for Local Transport Plan and Road Traffic Reduction Act purposes. The Transpol household questionnaire surveys provide an indication not only of travel patterns but also attitudes to transport. The results indicated high levels of car use but also support for public transport improvements.

Recommendation

That the Panel notes the results of the 2001 Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport surveys and the Transpol household questionnaire surveys.

6733/NR