Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

15 January 2002

Project Appraisal: Whiteley Bus Infrastructure

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 15

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ROADS

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

WHITELEY BUS INFRASTRUCTURE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2001

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 2002

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

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

A sum of £100,000 has been allocated from developer contributions for the provision of bus infrastructure within Whiteley. A number of factors have been identified as requirements to promoting public transport use, amongst them well-maintained, clean waiting facilities, information provision at bus stops and accessibility. This programme will implement high quality infrastructure to meet these needs, including raised kerbs, bus shelters and information posts.

Whiteley experiences traffic congestion problems. To alleviate some of this it is important to encourage the use of public transport, both by Whiteley residents and commuters working in Whiteley. There are also two school services carrying in excess of 115 students daily. The number and frequency of bus services has increased in recent years, but there has been no significant investment in bus infrastructure. At present there are no bus shelters in Whiteley, except for Whiteley Shopping Village. Therefore, attractiveness of public transport, particularly in winter, is reduced and car use behaviour patterns are reinforced.

7.2

Details

The works to be carried out within the programme are:

(i) provision of 10 bus shelters featuring seating and information panels, and internal courtesy lighting for enhanced security. Costs for courtesy lighting connection and electrical costs within the Borough of Fareham will be met by Primesight (sole bus shelter contractor to Fareham Borough Council). Within the City of Winchester, costs for electrical connections will be funded through the project budget. Shelters will be enclosed so as to offer maximum weather protection, unless environmental conditions preclude.

(ii) Installation of high quality aluminium bus stop poles with integral information display cases at all bus stops in Whiteley, to allow for high quality timetable, route and network information displays. Information will be provided by First Provincial.

(iii) Installation of raised kerbs (160 millimetres) at nine stops, to provide level access to low-floor vehicles (when available) and easier access to the current midi-buses for people with limited mobility and parents with prams.

The programme will begin in February 2002. It is anticipated that the majority of infrastructure will be installed in late January and early February. Works within the Winchester City Council boundary will be carried out in March. Two sites within Fareham will be delayed until late March or April to complement the Yew Tree Drive Traffic Management Scheme.

7.3

Standards

The programme complies with standards for the installation of infrastructure on highway land.

7.4

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

No statutory procedures are involved.

7.5

Policy Considerations

The need for improved passenger waiting infrastructure has been identified through the Whiteley Business Forum. First Provincial, the major operator, has also identified a public need through feedback from its passengers.

7.6

Environmental Impacts

There are no significant environmental impacts associated with the scheme.

7.7

Land Requirement

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

7.8

Alternative Arrangements

No alternative arrangements appear feasible under the funding agreement.

7.9

Local Members' View

The local Members - Councillors Estlin and Felicity Hindson - have been informed and are supportive of the proposals.

7.10

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Development of the public transport system can enhance accessibility and reduce isolation for people or families that do not have access to a private car. High quality infrastructure will contribute to the environment and well-maintained and clean facilities may serve to reduce incidences of vandalism. Lighting improvements in shelters will serve to improve perceptions of personal safety and discourage anti-social behaviour.

7.11

Sustainability

Passenger waiting facilities have a role in the public transport network: improvements to the network improve travel choice and may reduce dependency on the car. This can lead to long term behavioural changes in travel patterns and reduce environmental damage and improve social inclusion.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

1.2

Developer Funding

100

Supervision

0.6

Project Works

94.8

Land

0

____

____

Total

96.6

Total

100

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

Nil

Nil

Capital Charge

15.0

0.02

____

____

Total Expenditure

15.0

0.02

____

____

8.3

Maintenance Implications

Shelters within the Fareham Borough Council area will be maintained and cleaned under the shelter contract held with Primesight. Ownership will be transferred to the Borough Council. No additional maintenance costs are anticipated at these sites. Primesight will be contracted to maintain and clean shelters within the Winchester City Council area for the expected lifetime of the shelters (eight to ten years); ownership will remain with the County Council. An estimated sum of £8,000 will be paid to Primesight for this arrangement which shall continue for the length of the contract held with Fareham Borough Council. In structuring this arrangement, it can be assured that all the bus shelters in Whiteley are maintained to the same high standards.

Bus stop poles will be maintained by the County Council, in line with existing arrangements.

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

Whiteley Bus Infrastructure File

County Surveyor's Department

Passenger Transport - Room 228