Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

11 May 2004

Project Appraisal: Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership - Bus Infrastructure Improvements

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 5

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

EASTLEIGH 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)

The County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Solent Blue Line and First Group 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.

A study was carried out by the TAS Consultancy in 2002 to identify those bus routes in Hampshire which are most suited to Quality Bus Partnership (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 2 (formerly known as Solent Blue Line's Service 48) was highlighted in this report as being one of the top performing routes within the county.

A QBP was signed between the County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Solent Blue Line and First Group in November 2001. The proposals to enhance Services 2, 3, 4, 16, 9/9A in the Eastleigh area bus corridor are a continuation of the works which took place in 2002.

The proposed bus infrastructure works within the Eastleigh area will be progressed as a scheme under this QBP agreement.

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.

Solent Blue Line has recently invested in new, fully accessible vehicles with an improved frequency within the Eastleigh area. It has also introduced a programme of driver training to NVQ standards and will ensure a high standard of vehicle cleanliness of buses. These measures have resulted in more than a 10% growth in patronage during the last year.

It is expected that the package of measures listed below will result in a further 8% to 10% growth in patronage for the Eastleigh area based on recent work carried out in other parts of the county.

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 pump-priming grant. This programme will target individual households in the Eastleigh area and will run for three months from September 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, Eastleigh Borough Council and managers from Solent Blue Line and First Group and members of Atkins Consultancy.

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 bus priority measures at busy traffic junctions will be reported at a later date.

Specific works will include:

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

(ii) 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;

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

(iv) introducing clearways at bus stops.

Solent Blue Line and First Group have provided the County Council with a list of the busiest stops for their services in Eastleigh which will guide investment.

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

Environmental Impact

Through the QBP agreement, public transport in the Eastleigh 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 for the bus service in and around the Eastleigh area and will be developed through the QBP.

As a result of the surveys and feedback from passengers, the partners have identified a number of services within Eastleigh as strategic routes which would attract more passengers as a result of improved roadside infrastructure, passenger information and new accessible vehicles. The QBP is developing these improvements and meeting these needs.

Local Members' View

The local Members (Councillors Carol Boulton, Brown, Davidovitz, Davies-Dear, Mrs Holden-Brown, House and Luffman) have been consulted. Councillors Mrs Holden-Brown and Luffman support the proposals.

Facilities for the Disabled

Solent Blue Line invested in new low floor easy access buses last year. The infrastructure improvements funded by the County Council will provide level access for these buses at the bus stops. Tactile paving and dropped kerbs provide safer crossing points for the mobility impaired.

Maintenance Implications

Maintenance of new bus shelters, that are not maintained free of charge by an advertising company, will be administered by Eastleigh 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 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