Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member-Environment

11 November 2003

Project Appraisal: A30/A340 Route 1 Basingstoke Quality Bus Partnership

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 13

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER-ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

A30/A340 ROUTE 1 BASINGSTOKE QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIP

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

NOVEMBER 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2004

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

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

The measures proposed are included in the 2001-06 Capital Programme for the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport (BEST) area. Funding for the Quality Bus Partnership (QBP) was endorsed on 8 October 2003 by the BEST Panel.

The County Council, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Stagecoach Bus Company share a common objective to encourage greater use of public transport in Hampshire to address traffic congestion problems. The provision of high quality, reliable and accessible bus services can help to address these issues. All parties are committed to working closely together to deliver a high quality public transport system.

As part of the Best Value Action Plan for Passenger Transport, a study was carried out by the TAS Consultancy in 2002 to identify those bus routes in Hampshire which are most suited to QBP development. This study highlighted the top ten routes within the county which are best placed to achieve growth in passenger numbers and deliver modal shift from private car to public transport. Services 1 and 6 were highlighted as being two of the top performing routes.

A QBP was signed between the County Council, Stagecoach and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in August 2002. The proposals to enhance the Service 1 bus corridor from Baughurst to Hatch Warren via Tadley and Service 6 through Winklebury are being progressed as a scheme under this QBP agreement.

Following an Attitudinal Survey, which was undertaken by the Symonds Group Limited in May 2002, a number of areas have been identified as barriers to increasing public transport use. Information at bus stops, waiting facilities, access to bus stops and route branding are areas requiring improvements. Through the QBP agreements, the County Council will implement improvements to these aspects of the service.

Stagecoach has invested in newly refurbished accessible vehicles with improved frequencies for Services 1 and 6. The company has introduced a programme of driver training to NVQ standards and will ensure a high standard of vehicle cleanliness of buses operating on the QBP routes. All partners will work together to improve passenger information, publicity and promotion. A further important feature of the partnership will be to regularly monitor and review the effectiveness of the improvements in terms of passenger growth and customer satisfaction.

The infrastructure work will be supported by the Personalised Marketing Programme which is being funded through the Public Service Agreement (PSA) pump-priming grant. This programme forms part of the PSA and aims to target individual households around the Basingstoke area. In January 2004, leaflets and initiatives will be used to encourage these households to use the local buses more frequently. The PSA target 10 is to increase bus usage by 4%, across the county, over the five years from 1999/00.

Based on other recent and similar projects which have taken place within the county; these planned infrastructure works, frequency enhancements using low floor vehicles and new marketing initiatives should increase passenger journeys in the Basingstoke area by at least 150,000 in the first year.

A Steering Group has been formed to guide the project, comprising officers from the County Council, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Managers from Stagecoach.

To broaden the impact of this scheme, the existing QBP will be extended to include Service 6. This route, which also operates within Basingstoke with a ten minute frequency, would be included in the spending programme.

7.2

Details

The project has been allocated £500,000 from developer contributions in the Basingstoke area. This report deals only with the roadside infrastructure proposals. Proposals for bus priority measures at busy traffic junctions are under development and will be reported at a later date. Location plans are attached. Specific works will include:

(i) a programme of replacing existing bus stop poles with high visibility, colour coded aluminium units incorporating large integral display cases and comprehensive publicity;

(ii) officers will liaise with Adshel for the provision of new `free' bus shelters where possible. Worn out shelters will also be replaced as necessary;

(iii) a programme of raised kerbs to provide level access to low floor buses for people with limited mobility and for parents with prams. This will include safer crossing points, dropped kerbs and tactile paving to provide safer access to bus stops;

(iv) improvements to lighting and footways on approaches to bus stops, to promote safety for bus passengers;

(v) a programme of introducing bus stop clearways at the bus stops along Services 1 and 6; and

(vi) installation of Bus Departure Information Screens (BDIS) at the hospital and railway station sites and enhanced bus stop information screens at the departure stands at the Basingstoke Bus Station.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will administer and supervise the highway works on a fees basis.

7.3

Standards

The proposal has been designed to meet national County Council standards for this type of scheme.

7.4

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

No statutory procedures are involved.

7.5

Policy Considerations

The proposals are consistent with the County Council's policies on promoting modal-shift, reducing social exclusion and enhancing the local environment.

7.6

Environmental Impacts

Through the QBP agreement, public transport in the BEST area is being substantially improved. The local environment will be aesthetically improved by new bus shelters, bus top poles, better lighting and access works.

7.7

Land Requirement

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

7.8

Alternative Arrangements

None.

7.9

Local Member's View

The local Members, Councillors Gurden, Mrs Frankum, Shaw, Heath, Jo Kelly, Allen, Mrs McNair Scott, Chapman and Dr Wall, are supportive of the scheme.

7.10

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Successful public transport can help to reduce the sense of isolation of families that do not have access to a car. With a reliable public transport system and the resulting reduction in congestion, urban areas can become healthier and more attractive places to live, work and shop. Improved lighting at bus stops and shelters can help to improve perceived personal safety, and to discourage anti-social behaviour.

7.11

Sustainability

This scheme will encourage people to use public transport and help to change some people's travel behaviour. Improvements to the public transport system can reduce dependence on the private car, leading to more sustainable communities. In the long term this can reduce environmental damage and improve social inclusion.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

50

Developer Funding

500

Supervision

(Ref 690 and 586)

Project Works

450

Land

____

____

Total

500

Total

500

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

nil

nil

Capital Charge

61

0.065

____

____

Total Expenditure

61

0.065

____

____

8.3

Maintenance Implications

Stagecoach will ensure that up-to-date information is provided at the bus stops. Maintenance of new bus shelters, that are not maintained free of charge by an advertising company, will be administered by the Borough 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

Scheme Working File

Passenger Transport Strategy Team

Environment Department