Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

15 October 2003

Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel
24 October 2003

Executive Member - Policy and Resources
13 November 2003

Project Appraisal: European Union - CIVITAS Initiative - MIRACLES Project

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 2

Item 11

Item

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

EUROPEAN UNION - CIVITAS INITIATIVE - MIRACLES PROJECT

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

OCTOBER 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2004

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2003/04

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Sept 03

(at Sept 03

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Construction

836

836

Fees

44

44

880

880

Less developers/

other contributions

880

880

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

880

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

880

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

35

0.043

Capital charges

109

0.117

TOTAL net expenditure

144

0.160

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

On 12 December 2001 the Executive Member for Environment gave approval to enter into a formal contract with the European Commission for involvement in the European Union's CIVITAS (CIty-VITAlity-Sustainability) initiative through the MIRACLES (Multi Initiatives for Rationalised Accessible and Clean Liveable EnvironmentS) project. Through CIVITAS the European Commission has defined a package of policy and technology measures to be implemented as part of the pan-European programme.

The MIRACLES project builds upon and enhances the work already being undertaken in the Winchester Movement and Access Plan and Clear Zones initiatives. The project is strongly in line with local priorities, policies and key corporate objectives. Involvement with European partners in Barcelona, Cork and Rome will enhance and develop the work being undertaken in Winchester. The project aims to demonstrate an integrated approach to the introduction of clean urban transport. Through a comprehensive evaluation programme, the project will make a significant contribution to local, national and European transport strategies.

The 2003/04 Local Transport Plan Settlement specifically identified £880,000 supplementary credit approval for MIRACLES. This project appraisal details a series of measures to be funded from the 2003/04 Capital Programme, supported by funds from the European Commission. These measures are:

(i) emissions monitoring;

(ii) environmentally linked parking charges;

(iii) new cycling opportunities;

(iv) freight efficiency;

(v) awareness measures and mobility management;

(vi) improved multi-modal information; and

(vii) cleaner buses.

3.

PROPOSALS (Client Department)

Details of the individual measures for which approval is being sought are set out in the following paragraphs.

Emissions Monitoring

The aim of this measure is to reduce the number of poorly maintained vehicles in Winchester. Studies have shown that 10% of vehicles contribute 50% of emissions in urban areas. As part of reducing emissions and promoting a city centre clean-zone, it is proposed to monitor exhaust emissions from traffic entering the city on a number of arterial routes.

Using portable remote sensing equipment located at the roadside, individual vehicle emissions and vehicle characteristic data will be recorded as they pass by the site. The project proposes to develop a database that will be used to identify `gross-polluting' vehicles and subsequently to provide drivers with information and advice on maintenance, and ultimately conduct standard roadside emission checks in association with the Vehicle Standards Agency.

This measure will contribute to the development of policy advice and enforcement strategies, aimed at reducing emissions from the vehicle fleet. It is strongly linked to the environmentally linked parking changes and awareness measures considered elsewhere in this project appraisal.

Estimated cost £75,000.

Environmentally Linked Parking Charges

The aim of this measure is to demonstrate that both policy and technology can be used to encourage the take-up of energy efficient vehicles in Winchester, contributing to an overall reduction in emissions in the city centre. It is considered that data collection from this trial will assist the development of future parking policies, within the lifetime of the project and afterwards.

It is proposed to raise awareness of the benefits of 'clean' vehicles and provide an incentive for those considering the purchase of an environmentally friendly vehicle. To produce significant improvements in vehicle emissions it is also necessary to reduce the number of high polluting vehicles entering the city centre. The strategy will therefore need to be both highly visible and generate positive publicity, provide real benefits to owners of 'clean' vehicles, and promote the Park and Ride sites as viable alternatives for those with high polluting vehicles. This work will be carried out in conjunction with measures to monitor vehicle emissions to reduce the number of high polluting vehicles in the city.

To influence those considering the purchase of 'clean' vehicles a significant discount on parking is proposed. Those with electric vehicles would be offered free on and off street parking. Due to the very low numbers of vehicles within this category the costs should be minimal, however this would generate high publicity for the campaign and will help to highlight the benefits of alternative fuels.

For those with very clean vehicles in either AA or AAA vehicle road fund licence categories a discount of 50% would be offered for both season ticket holders and short-stay car park users, following registration of vehicle details.

For the purposes of this trial the reduced cost of parking would be limited to those car parks which have been converted to 'Pay on Foot'. This would allow owners to be issued with a smart card, which for short-stay parking will be programmed to provide a discount at the pay-point. Alternatively, season ticket holders will pay a reduced charge on purchase of their card.

This work will be carried out in conjunction with measures to monitor vehicle emissions to reduce the number of 'high polluting' vehicles within the city.

Estimated cost £30,000.

New Cycling Opportunities and MIRACLES BIKE-ABOUT

The aim of this measure is to stimulate the use of sustainable transport for residents and visitors by increasing the level of cycling in Winchester, both in terms of modal split and the number of journeys being made by bicycle.

Following a user survey undertaken in May 2003, it is planned to introduce a pilot bike-about (cycle hire) scheme with 50 bicycles. This scheme will be developed in cooperation with local educational establishments and offer users access to bicycles to undertake various journeys around the city centre. Further opportunities involving commuters, to bring about a modal shift from modes other than walking and public transport, will be explored. The following key nodes have been identified:

(i) King Alfred's College;

(ii) West Downs Student Village, Romsey Road;

(iii) Winchester railway station; and

(iv) City Centre.

To encourage the use of the bike-about scheme and cycling in Winchester, new route signing and information will be introduced and a new cycle map developed and made available. Additional cycle parking is also being provided by Winchester City Council.

Estimated cost £90,000.

Freight Efficiency

This measure seeks to raise the efficiency of freight deliveries in Winchester and so reduce overall vehicle emissions in the city centre. Detailed surveys of over 450 shops and businesses in Winchester examined freight patterns and developed an understanding of the problems encountered. It is proposed to pilot a system based on an unattended delivery solution whereby distributors, parcel carriers and field support organisations can deliver non-perishable goods to a secure locker-bank logistics system. The system will enable deliveries to be made outside normal opening hours, reducing the impact of peak-hour loading restrictions.

A locker-bank consists of several locker-doors of different sizes connected to an intelligent central console, which in turn is connected, via a communication network, to a central management server. The lockers are accessed using electronic codes which can be entered through a key pad or scanned through a bar code reader. Possible trial locations include City Council car parks (including park and ride) and the Romsey Road corridor, in conjunction with major employers. Links to a pilot distribution centre and the use of electric vehicles are also being considered.

A new freight map covering the whole city is also being designed to help road freight operators and drivers of commercial vehicles find the most appropriate routes to the main freight delivery destinations in Winchester. Trading estates, commercial and industrial areas, shopping centres and retail superstores will be identified, together with the current road hierarchy, using national classifications and advisory routes. Restrictions on vehicle weight, height and width and other relevant access restrictions will also be included to provide as comprehensive a picture as possible to a driver who is unfamiliar with the local highway network.

Estimated cost £46,000.

Awareness Measures and Mobility Management

This measure will raise awareness of individuals about the different actions that they could take to improve the environment in Winchester. The work is directly linked to other measures in MIRACLES so that the environmental message is supported by positive action.

(i) Community Involvement Programme

The County Council's acclaimed Headstart Community Involvement Programme demonstrated how community involvement could be achieved. This type of initiative will be relaunched incorporating MIRACLES objectives. Headstart was successful in disseminating information and encouraging participation in transport issues and decision-making. Headstart was launched in 1994 with four key objectives:

(a) raise AWARENESS of the transport problem;

(b) increase ACCEPTANCE that individuals can personally contribute to solving this problem;

(c) change ATTITUDES to car use; and

(d) encourage individuals to take ACTION to change their travel behaviour.

It is recognised that, by itself, this will not bring significant changes in transport behaviour in the short term. However, through its Community Involvement Programme, Headstart demonstrated that, by directly involving local people in transport policy making and in the development of complementary transport measures to encourage alternatives to the car, it can help support policies and initiatives which encourage more responsible use of the car. Through monitoring of the Headstart programme significant changes in public attitudes about transport issues and support for more sustainable solutions have been revealed.

The Community Involvement Programme includes workshop sessions with community groups, such as those already undertaken for workplace travel plans, school travel plans and stakeholder workshops for individual scheme proposals.

(ii) Public Relations and the Media

The objectives of the overall public relations plan for the MIRACLES project are to:

(a) raise public awareness of the developments and achievements of the initiatives and influence people to change their travel behaviour by encouraging them to participate in the elements of the project, such as bike-about and the environmental parking scheme, and by making use of the information made available by the project;

(b) maintain a high profile with the local, national, technical and international press, thereby influencing local, national and European politicians to ensure future funding;

(c) enhance the image of Hampshire County Council and the project partners as leaders in transport planning and technology;

(d) stimulate the debate about the need for change in travel behaviour generally, moving towards greater use of sustainable modes of transport, and less use of the private car, particularly those which are `gross polluters';

(e) emphasise the results from MIRACLES so far (promoting the benefits to residents and visitors); and

(f) formulate a joint public image for Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council which will reflect credit on both parties and heighten public awareness not only of the partnership, but also of MIRACLES.

A number of events are programmed including the launch of the various MIRACLES measures, National Bike Week, Alternative Transport Day/In Town Without My Car, and other key events. These are intended to raise awareness of transport issues and are linked with wider national and European initiatives.

(iii) Air Quality

It is intended to extend the existing real-time air quality monitoring information to additional displays. These will be related to other initiatives, for example poor air quality should be linked with bus times/availability, workplace travel plans, car parking and through roadside variable message signing and real-time displays on-street, in car parks and the Internet.

(iv) Seminars and Workshops

It is planned to hold workshop sessions at least once for every major initiative in the MIRACLES programme to understand aspirations and to reflect on the experience once the measures are in place. This process will allow monitoring to be undertaken both `before' and `after' MIRACLES but will need to be substantiated by using impact indicators and monitoring initiatives such as questionnaires, to be completed by participants, panel and telephone surveys. These initiatives will form part of the overall monitoring and evaluation package undertaken by the University of Southampton's Transportation Research Group (MIRACLES project partners).

Estimated cost £75,000.

Improved Multi-Modal Traveller Information

The aim of this measure is to provide better information through the introduction of intelligent transport systems (ITS). ITS can assist in managing the network, in the management of transport demand and can provide travellers with real-time information, enabling them to make informed decisions about their travel.

The County Council's traffic and travel information centre will gather multi-modal information from a number of sources and disseminate the information via the media, whilst seeking to optimise use of the transport network and support sustainable mode use. This measure will implement (see attached plans for details):

(i) a bus departure information system at the railway station;

(ii) four new roadside variable message signs linked to traffic and journey time information at the following locations: Hockley Link; Romsey Road; M3 Junction 10 slip road and Easton Lane;

(iii) four new electronic information kiosks, providing information on public transport and visitor information.

(iv) improved and updated information on the ROMANSE On-Line web-site as more information becomes available during the lifetime of the project, including information on air quality; and

(v) three real-time information displays at large employers on Romsey Road. These displays will give details of travel information on strategic routes, air quality and bus and train departure information, thus allowing employees the opportunity to consider all mode options when planning a journey home.

Estimated cost £190,000.

In 2002/03 a core automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system was procured to measure the journey times of buses and cars from the southern approaches to Winchester. The second phase will introduce six new journey-time cameras to be installed at the following locations:

(i) Easton Lane;

(ii) Alresford Road;

(iii) Friarsgate;

(iv) The Broadway;

(v) The Brooks Car Park; and

(vi) Middlebrook Car Park.

Estimated cost £80,000.

Cleaner Buses

This measure, a mandatory element of the European Union's requirement for CIVITAS, will introduce state-of-the art engine technology to deliver major improvements in the emissions performance of the main bus fleet in Winchester.

Significant reductions in both nitrogen oxide and particulates are normally realised when an old engine is replaced by new technology. Engines to Euro III standard deliver reductions in pollutants of over 35% nitrogen oxide and 70% particulates on a pre-Euro (1993) engine (more if a particulate trap is fitted). The Energy Savings Trust's Clean Up programme will help to fund suitable re-engine strategies in Winchester, providing grant in the order of £370,000 towards a total cost of £620,000.

A quality bus partnership has been developed and includes a commitment from Stagecoach South to provide the necessary resources to assist in the upgrading of the Winchester bus fleet and to retain these cleaner vehicles in Winchester and the surrounding area.

Therefore, it is proposed that MIRACLES supports Stagecoach South to further reduce the impact on air quality in Winchester by fitting:

(i) new, more environmentally-friendly engines to re-power the part of the existing bus fleet operating in the city centre;

(ii) particulate traps to diesel exhaust systems; and

(iii) oxidation catalysts to diesel exhaust systems.

Estimated cost £250,000.

National/County Network and Policies

The proposals are consistent with the County Council's transportation strategy.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

All scheme details will comply with all relevant United Kingdom and European standards.

Environmental Impact

The proposed measures are aimed at achieving the project's goal of reducing the impact of transport on the environment by:

(i) relieving transport-related emissions;

(ii) reducing congestion;

(iii) improving the modal share of public transport, cycling and walking; and

(iv) demonstrating the uptake of clean transport vehicles.

The proposal includes the introduction of street furniture, including variable message signs that will have a visual impact on the local environment. The size of the proposed signs vary, but are a maximum of 3.4 metres wide by 2.4 metres high, mounted at a height of 2.1 metres to the underside of the sign. Overall, every effort will be taken to minimise visual intrusion of street furniture where practicable.

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

None.

Public Consultation

Winchester City Council and Stagecoach South have been consulted on the proposals and indicate their support. Evaluating the impact of the project includes an assessment of user acceptance. As part of the ongoing monitoring of the project further survey work is planned involving members of the public. This will include the users' opinions, preferences and behaviour.

Local Members' View

The local Members, Councillors Mrs Peskett, Mrs Bailey and Mrs Dickens, have been informed of the proposals.

A report describing the project's proposals in detail was considered by the Winchester Movement and Access Plan Joint Members' Panel on 4 March 2003.

Facilities for the Disabled

Not applicable.

Maintenance Implications

There will be revenue implications for the ongoing maintenance and operation of the systems introduced as a result of this proposal.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

The approach in MIRACLES is ambitious. Technology innovation in conjunction with transport policy aims to reduce energy consumption, congestion, and noise and air pollution.

The measures introduced by the MIRACLES project aim to reduce the environmental impact of transport, increase accessibility to the urban area and improve economic efficiency through better transport management, looking to an overall improvement in quality of life for all.

4.

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED (Client Department)

A key feature of the proposed measures to be introduced by the MIRACLES project is that they have been developed as an integrated package. This project appraisal covers work packages proposed over the next two years. It is intended to implement a series of complementary measures in 2004/05, subject to the Local Transport Plan bid for the necessary funding being successful.

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

MIRACLES Project Inception Report

MIRACLES Project Technical Annex

MIRACLES Project Office

ITS Group

Environment Department

Monument House