Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

11 May 2004

Project Appraisal: Havant Quality Bus Partnership - Bus Infrastructure Improvements

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 4

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

HAVANT QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIP - BUS INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JULY 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

NOVEMBER 2004

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2004/05

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at April 04

(at April 04

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Construction

174

174

Fees

26

26

200

200

Less developers/

other contributions

200

200

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

200

(b) Other

200

2.

From other resources

(a) Developer Funding

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

200

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

Nil

Nil

Capital charges

20

0.021

TOTAL net expenditure

20

0.021

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

A Quality Bus Partnership (QBP) was signed between the County Council, Havant Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council and Stagecoach in January 2004. The proposals to enhance the Service 21 bus corridor in Leigh Park, Havant are being progressed as a scheme under this QBP agreement

The County Council, Havant Borough Council, Portsmouth City 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.

The proposed bus infrastructure works in the Havant area along Service 21 will complement similar works which were carried out in 2002 on Service 23.

The improvements to the bus stop infrastructure, targeted marketing campaigns, improved publicity, increases in frequency and the introduction of new low floor buses increased patronage on Service 23 by over 30%. It is anticipated that a similar increase in patronage levels will be achieved on Service 21 as a result of this package of measures.

Stagecoach has recently invested in brand new accessible vehicles with an improved frequency for Service 21. They have introduced a programme of driver training to NVQ standards and will ensure a high standard of vehicle cleanliness of buses. 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.

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 10 routes within the county which are best placed to achieve growth in passenger numbers and deliver modal shift from private car to public transport. Service 21 was highlighted in this report as being one of the top performing routes within the county.

Following an Attitudinal Survey, undertaken by 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, improvements to these aspects of the service will be delivered.

The infrastructure work will be supported by the Personalised Marketing Programme which is being funded through the Public Service Agreement pump-priming grant. This programme will target individual households in Havant area and will run for three months from May 2004. Initiatives will be used to encourage these households to use the local buses more frequently.

A Steering Group has been formed to guide the project, comprising officers from Hampshire County Council, Havant Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council and Managers from Stagecoach.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposals are consistent with the objectives of providing greater travel choice and improved public transport systems. The development of QBPs is a key component of the County Council's policy of improving public transport by working in partnership with public transport operators. The County Council aims to encourage modal shift from private car to public transport and this scheme will help to achieve this.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The project has been allocated £200,000 from the Capital Programme 2004/05. This report deals only with the roadside infrastructure proposals. Proposals for the new Havant Bus Station are under development and will be reported at a later date. A location plan is attached and a detailed plan will be displayed at the meeting.

Specific works will include:

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

(ii) replacing worn out bus shelters as necessary and installing new bus shelters where required;

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

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

(v) introducing clearways at bus stops.

Stagecoach has provided the County Council with a list of the busiest stops for Service 21 in Havant which will guide the investment.

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

Environmental Impact

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

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

No statutory procedures are involved.

Public Consultation

As part of the Passenger Transport Group Best Value Review, Miller Associates carried out extensive market research and convened focus groups with Hampshire residents. The results show a very positive response to measures aimed at improving bus services, ie improved information, newer vehicles, better accessibility, new bus shelters and more frequent buses. These are all important elements of the Service 21 QBP.

As a result of the surveys and feedback from passengers, the partners have identified Service 21 as a main strategic route which would attract more passengers as a result of improved roadside infrastructure, passenger information and new accessible vehicles. The QBP is developing these improvements.

Local Members' View

The local Members (Councillors Mrs Steel, Wheeler and Jennifer Wride) have been consulted. Councillors Jennifer Wride and Wheeler support the proposals.

Facilities for the Disabled

Stagecoach invested in new low-floor easy access buses on Service 21 at the beginning of January 2004. The infrastructure improvements funded by the County Council will provide level access for these buses at the bus stops.

Tactile paving and dropped kerbs are also being installed to offer safer crossing points for the mobility impaired. Stagecoach has reported an increase in the number of wheelchair users and mobility impaired people using the service since the introduction of the easy access, low-floor buses.

Maintenance Implications

New bus stop poles and information cases will require ongoing maintenance funded from existing revenue budgets. 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 Havant Borough Council in line with existing arrangements.

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.

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.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Taking no action.

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

Environment Department

Passenger Transport Strategy Team