Archived decisions

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1. Summary

1.1 This report outlines the links between the Winchester Movement and Access Plan (WMAP) and projects sponsored by the European Union. Currently these include the CIVITAS (CIty - VITAlity - Sustainability) initiative (MIRACLES [Multi Initiatives for Rationalised Accessibility and Clean Liveable EnvironmentS] Project), TravelSmart and PEPTRAN (PEdestrian and People TRAnsport Navigation). These projects involve partner cities and administrations elsewhere in Europe and access to funding sources. There are close links between the projects and the objectives of WMAP and in combination they are expected to make a significant contribution to meeting WMAP's aims and objectives.

2. Introduction

2.1 Approval has been given by the Executive Member for Environment for the County Surveyor to undertake final contract negotiations with the European Commission for the County Council's involvement in the EU CIVITAS initiative.

2.2 The County Council is also involved with the TravelSmart project which is working in partnership to establish smartcard technologies for the tourism and transport sectors.

2.3 The EU PEPTRAN project is a three year research and development project involving a consortium of six partners throughout Europe, all with specific knowledge and expertise in areas of benefit to the project.

3. CIVITAS

3.1 Following the submission of a successful proposal to become involved, based on improving environmental conditions in Winchester, the County Council has been invited to the final negotiation stage as submitting one of eight projects selected for matching EU funding under the CIVITAS initiative. The project accords strongly with local priorities, policies and key corporate objectives and will enable the WMAP experiences to be recognised nationally and throughout Europe.

3.2 CIVITAS demonstration sites are expected to demonstrate environmental improvements and access management, to help provide a solution to congestion and pollution caused by urban transport and thereby become leading examples for other cities in Europe. Potential projects had to consider the following measures:

(i) a new way of managing the movement of goods and people;

(ii) introduction of new information and transport management systems;

(iii) introduction of `clean' vehicle fleets for passengers and goods;

(iv) promotional campaigns for public transport;

(v) a system of charging for road use and parking based on environmental concerns; and

(vi) the creation of special areas for `clean' vehicles in the city centre.

3.3 The EU required projects to be developed with a lead city incorporating all the measures and a follower city covering at least three of the measures. A proposal was developed by the County Council with Winchester as the lead demonstration site and Cork as the `follower city'. The REFRACT (Real Environmentally Friendly Related Access management and Clean Transport) proposal was developed in association with Cork City Corporation, the Transportation Research Group of Southampton University, University College Cork and W S Atkins. It set out a number of objectives and initiatives within Winchester based on WMAP, including the demonstration of clean vehicle technology, with a strong emphasis on the involvement of Winchester City Council, business interests and the wider community, including the Winchester Commuter Forum and the Winchester Freight Partnership.

3.4 The proposal submitted by the County Council was successful against strong competition and an invitation was extended to enter the final negotiation stage along with seven others. It is expected that the project will start in February 2002 for a period of four years. For contractual, practical and technical reasons, the eight proposals in the final negotiations have been combined into four new groupings and the Hampshire/Cork REFRACT has been merged with Rome and Barcelona (MIRACLE). Initial discussions indicate that a great deal of synergy exists between the two proposals, building on links established through the POLIS network.

3.5 As a result of these discussions, a new project has been developed, known as MIRACLES. The EU has indicated that the Hampshire/Cork consortium has been allocated a €2.6 million (£1.6 million) contribution from the CIVITAS budget. This is €1 million (£615,000) less than was bid for and the original proposal will be amended accordingly. The County Council's allocation will be €1.2 million (£740,000) which represents a 35% contribution from the EU to the total project costs. The project does not represent increased costs or additional expenditure as it has already been taken into account. However, a supplementary bid has been made to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions through the Local Transport Plan annual review process submitted in August 2001. If this is successful, the demonstration element in Winchester will meet the level of the original proposal.

3.6 It is expected that initiatives to be pursued within the project could include low emission vehicles, 'Bikeabout' schemes to promote cycling, home deliveries, reduced emissions from buses, air quality modelling and environmental traffic management.

4. PEPTRAN

4.1 Many cities in Europe are developing strategies to reduce car dependency and congestion. The availability of quality information is essential to support walking and public transport and the associated environmental improvements. PEPTRAN enables the development of a route planner and journey information service that is:

(i) mobile;

(ii) personalised;

(iii) accurate and efficient; and

(iv) door-to-door.

4.2 PEPTRAN is developing software to:

(i) guide a user from point to point within a city by walking and using public transport in the most efficient manner (using hand held equipment); and

(ii) guide a car driver to park and ride sites for transfer to public transport (using in-car equipment).

4.3 Winchester and Turin (Italy) have been selected as trial sites during the development of PEPTRAN with funding from EU sources supported by County Council staff resources. The total cost of the project is approximately £1.5 million. The technology involves an established Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) with text orientated mobile phones and more advanced hardware, such as Personal Digital Advisors (PDAs)/smartphones.

4.4 The successful development of PEPTRAN will help to:

(i) encourage walking and the use of public transport;

(ii) provide reliable information to make journeys easier;

(iii) reduce journey times;

(iv) reduce car journeys, congestion and pollution;

(v) develop sustainable local transport; and

(vi) develop mobile technology.

4.5 These outcomes accord fully with the objectives of WMAP in that they support a reduction in car dependency and encourage the use of other modes.

4.6 Technical tests are currently being performed on the system and the data is being fine tuned to provide appropriate route information. It is hoped to complete this by February 2002 prior to trials taking place, which will run until June 2002.

5. Conclusion

5.1 Involvement in the EU projects outlined above offers considerable potential to support other initiatives within WMAP and to raise the profile of Winchester at national and European level.

Recommendation

That the Panel notes the involvement in European Union projects CIVITAS, TravelSmart and PEPTRAN in the context of the Winchester Movement and Access Plan.

6825/NR