Archived decisions

Contact: Ken Laughlin, ext 6893/Tony Ciaburro, ext 6891

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That approval be given for the County Council to enter into a formal contract with the European Commission for involvement in the European Union's CIty-VITAlity-Sustainability initiative through the MIRACLES project based in Winchester.

2. Reason

2.1 Following the submission of a successful proposal to become involved in this European Union (EU) initiative based on improving environmental conditions in Winchester, the County Council was invited to the final negotiation stage as one of only eight projects selected for matching EU funding under this initiative. On 10 September 2001 the Executive Member for Environment gave approval for the County Surveyor to undertake final contract negotiations with the EU. These final contract negotiations are now complete and agreement on the content and financial aspects have been agreed with the European Commission.

2.2 The MIRACLES project builds upon and enhances the work already being undertaken with the Winchester Movement and Access Plan (WMAP). The project is strongly in line with local priorities, policies and key corporate objectives. Involvement at the European level will provide a good mechanism for enhancing and developing further the work already undertaken in Winchester and getting it recognised both nationally and across Europe.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 The only other option is not to become involved in this programme. However, it is considered that participation will bring significant benefits to the County Council.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - Not applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Introduction

7.1 During 2000 the EU published a call for proposals under the CIty-VITAlity-Sustainability (CIVITAS) initiative. This initiative, which was developed through the EU's GROWTH and ENERGIE programmes, seeks to establish a limited number of major demonstration sites throughout Europe. These sites are expected to demonstrate environmental improvements and access management, to help provide the solution to the problems of congestion and pollution caused by urban transport, and thereby become leading examples for other cities in Europe.

7.2 The EU has allowed a total budget of €50 million (approximately £30.7 million) for this initiative and proposals had to include strong coverage for the introduction of the following measures:

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

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

(iii) the 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 city centres.

7.3 The EU required projects to be developed with a lead city, that had to incorporate all of the measures, and a follower city that was expected to cover at least three of the areas. Following careful consideration of the EU requirements, a proposal was developed by the County Council with Winchester as the main demonstration site and Cork as the 'follower city'.

8. REFRACT Proposal

8.1 The Real Environmentally Friendly Related Access management and Clean Transport (REFRACT) proposal was developed in association with Cork City Corporation, The Transportation Research Group of Southampton University, University College, Cork and W S Atkins. The submission was based upon work already undertaken and proposed as part of WMAP.

8.2 The proposal set out a number of objectives and initiatives within Winchester based on WMAP, including the demonstration of clean vehicle technology, for both public and private transport. The proposal also included a strong emphasis on the involvement of Winchester City Council and sectors of the business and private community through the Winchester Community Forum and the Winchester Freight Partnership.

8.3 The proposal was submitted to the EU in March 2001. A total of 32 proposals were received by the European Commission (EC) involving some 74 cities (including cities of Central and Eastern European countries). The EC then undertook a rigorous evaluation of the 32 proposals and in July 2001 the County Council was informed that its proposal had received a very good evaluation report. Subsequently the County Council was invited to a meeting with EC officials, with representatives of seven other proposals, to discuss the results of the evaluation exercise.

8.4 At this meeting it was confirmed that the proposal submitted by the County Council had been successful and it was being invited to enter the final negotiation stage with the other seven proposals. The final selection involved a total of 19 cities across Europe (Aalborg, Barcelona, Berlin, Bremen, Bristol, Bucharest, Cork, Gothenburg, Graz, Gydnia, Kaunas, Lille, Nantes, Pecs, Prague, Rome, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Winchester) and to have reached this stage against very strong competition can be considered an achievement. The results are also a success for the POLIS network because, of the 14 EU cities selected, nine are POLIS members.

8.5 The EC has outlined a very tight timescale for the negotiations and subsequent letting of the contract, expecting contracts to be signed in December 2001 with a project start date for the four year contract of February or March 2002. For contractual, practical and technical reasons, the eight proposals invited to the final negotiations were combined into four new groupings and the Hampshire/Cork proposal (REFRACT) was merged with Rome and Barcelona (MIRACLE). A successful partnership has been achieved and, despite the differences in size of the cities, with a great deal of synergy between the four cities. Additionally, links had already been established with both Rome and Barcelona through the POLIS network. As a result a new project called MIRACLES (Multi Initiatives for Rationalised Accessibility and Clean Liveable EnvironmentS) has been developed and this formed the basis for the successful contract negotiations with the EC.

9 MIRACLES Project

9.1 The proposal for the MIRACLES project was developed further from the original REFRACT proposal (outlined in section 8 of this report) taking account of the evaluators' comments and subsequent discussions with the EC during the negotiation process over the technical content and financial aspects. Prior to the negotiation process the EC had indicated that due to budgetary constraints the original proposal (REFRACT) for Hampshire and Cork would be €2.6 million (£1.6 million) which was €1 million (£615,000) less than the original proposal. The technical content of the proposal has been reduced accordingly and agreed with the EC. The County Council's allocation within the MIRACLES project will now be €1.2 million (£740,000) which represents a 35% contribution from the EU to the total project costs and private community through the Winchester Community Forum.

9.2 As set out in section 7 of this report the EU required the proposals for Winchester to include a strong coverage for the introduction of a number of measures one of which, the demonstration of a clean vehicle technology for public transport and local authority vehicles, was mandatory. As a result a number of initiatives and objectives were developed and will be demonstrated in Winchester based on WMAP, involving Winchester City Council and sectors of the business community through the Winchester Community Forum and Winchester Freight Partnership. The project will also involve a wide ranging evaluation process on the effectiveness of the measures which will be undertaken by the Transportation Research Group (TRG) of Southampton University. W S Atkins is also included within the project as a sub contractor to give the County Council project management and technical assistance.

9.3 A key feature of the proposals for Winchester is that they have been developed as an integrated package. A brief description of the measures to be implemented in Winchester as part of the MIRACLES project are as follows:

(i) Access Control Measures

The introduction of equipment to measure the exhaust emissions of individual vehicles on two radial routes into the city. Information will then be obtained on the numbers of high polluting vehicles and strategies developed to deal with them.

(ii) Integrated Pricing Strategies

The development of strategies for environmentally linked parking charges which will allow clean vehicles to park in the city centre at reduced parking costs.

(iii) Improving Bus Service Quality

Improvements will be made to the quality and quantity of bus services in Winchester, including cross city services linked to Park and Ride, bus priority, discount ticketing and improved shelters.

(iv) Collective Forms of Transport

The provision of new information systems providing static and real-time information, including opportunities to deliver this information to major employers and to the individual.

(v) New Cycling Opportunities

The development of an electronic `smart' bike hire scheme connecting key transport interchanges (including Park and Ride) with tourist and business destinations together with secure cycle parking facilities.

(vi) New Concepts for the Distribution of Goods

The assessment and development of a coordinated urban delivery service within the city centre in association with the Winchester Freight Forum with the demonstration/evaluation of the service using an electric vehicle.

(vii) Awareness Measures (Soft Policy Options)

The development of awareness raising information on new clean engine and other technologies through public consultation, advertising and publicity material. The demonstration of clean vehicles and involvement of individual and community groups to experience new systems will be developed together with enhanced air quality pollution forecasting models.

(viii) Mobility Management

This work package will develop software to support the financial case for a switch to clean engine technology which can be employed for business and private use. This work will build upon the HEADSTART campaign to develop the acceptance and benefits of making the shift towards cleaner vehicles, walking, cycling and clean public transport.

(ix) Improved Multi-modal Traveller Information

Building on the work of the ROMANSE project and the existing systems within the Hampshire Traffic and Travel Information Centre (TTIC), new real-time and static information systems will be developed and introduced including Variable Message Signs, a bus departure system at the railway station and other innovative facilities.

(x) Clean Vehicle Fleets

This element will be the largest demonstration within the project. It is proposed to equip the park and ride service with clean engine technology, together with the phased upgrading of the bus fleet serving Winchester to deliver lower emissions for public transport as part of the Quality Partnership. A demonstration of clean engine technology will be introduced through the County Council and City Council vehicle fleets. The project will also enable local businesses, through the Winchester Business Forum, to gain experience with clean engine vehicles in order that an operational comparison and evaluation of their existing vehicles against clean vehicles can be undertaken.

10. Financial Implications

10.1 In line with the principles adopted by the County Council for EU funded projects, the commitment made by the County Council (€2.24 million - £1.38 million) is already included in service plans, the Local Transport Plan (LTP) funding and associated budgets for staff time. The project does not therefore represent increased cost or new expenditure. However, a bid for supplementary funding has been made to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions through the LTP annual review process that was submitted in August 2001. If this bid is successful, it will enable a demonstration element in Winchester to be enhanced to the level of the original proposal.

11. Conclusions

11.1 The acceptance of the proposal by the EC to develop Winchester as a major national and European demonstration site for dealing with congestion and environmental problems caused by urban traffic is a significant achievement. The proposal was developed to build upon the work already undertaken and planned in Winchester as part of WMAP and reflects strongly local priorities, policies and key corporate objectives.

11.2 The combination of EU funding contributions and the added value derived from the cooperation between agencies - private and public communities, and at a European level - provides a good opportunity and mechanism for maximising the practical results and value for money for planned work. Involvement in this initiative will further enhance the County Council's standing as a leading authority on transportation matters both nationally and throughout Europe.

6793/KGL