Contact: Michael Hedderly, ext 5492 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That approval be given for the annual programme 2004/05 for the County Council's contribution to an agreed programme to carry out rail station interchange improvements across Hampshire, as part of a joint-funded scheme with South West Trains, as set out below.

The County Council's share of the programme, totalling £200,000, is highlighted. £97,000 of the total is match-funded and a further £68,000 is made up of joint-funded works where South West Trains carries substantially the major part of the costs. The remaining £35,000 is accounted for by related ancillary works funded wholly by the County Council.

The total cost of works is £629,000, but £429,000 of this is funded by other parties.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy:

(i) Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) by encouraging the use of more sustainable travel modes; and

(ii) Aim 5 (Improving Services) by providing enhanced station and interchange facilities.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Taking no action - this would result in deterioration of the environment of the stations and would be likely to have a gradual negative impact on patronage.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Background

7.1 Hampshire County Council and Stagecoach (incorporating South West Trains) signed a Quality Partnership agreement in September 1999, the first Quality Partnership in the country to include bus and rail services. Both parties share a common objective to encourage greater use of bus and rail services to address road traffic congestion problems and achieve modal shift away from the private car. The provision of improved interchange facilities for passengers at rail stations can help to achieve these aims. Both parties are committed to working closely together to deliver high quality improvements to existing facilities at rail stations.

7.2 Easy interchange is one of the most obvious characteristics to be sought in an integrated transport network. One of the main barriers to interchange is a lack of understandable, relevant information. If people are to choose to use public transport, they need to be able to access relevant information at the point of use. Further barriers include a perceived lack of personal safety and a lack of basic shelter from the weather. The measures included in this programme address these barriers.

7.3 The County Council's Rail Infrastructure Blueprint has guided investment in interchange facilities and information provision at rail stations since 1999 and this programme proposes further measures to continue this work.

7.4 The programme of joint-funded infrastructure works for 2004/05 which has been developed with South West Trains (SWT) will deliver improvements at many of Hampshire's rail stations. It is proposed that the County Council and SWT will equally fund certain works and the County Council will make capped contributions to other large scale improvements proposed by SWT at Winchester.

8. Aims and Objectives of the Programme

8.1 The proposals are consistent with the County Council's policies on promoting modal shift, addressing social exclusion and enhancing the local environment. Improved integration between public transport modes is a key component of the County Council's policy of improving public transport by working in partnership with public transport operators.

9. Details of Programmed Works

9.1 The sum of £200,000 for Rail Station/Interchange improvements has been allocated within the Capital Programme 2004/05 under the `Countywide/Other' heading and was reported to the Transport Strategy Panels during the March round of meetings.

9.2 Specific works funded on a 50/50 basis total £97,000 for each partner and include:

(i) provision of additional cycle parking facilities at stations where current facilities do not meet demand (£10,500 each);

(ii) information boards outside each station, detailing services available to the public (£12,000 each);

(iii) installation of six high quality, vandal resistant platform waiting shelters at four stations (£42,000 each);

(iv) improved CCTV signage where CCTV is fitted but signage is not prominent (£7,500 each); and

(v) work to upgrade `help point' systems within stations (£25,000 each).

9.3 Works funded entirely by the County Council total £35,000 and comprise:

(i) bus/rail interchange bus stop poles installed close to rail stations. Poles to be of a unique interchange design containing rail, bus and other local information (£27,000); and

(ii) audit of signage at stations (£8,000).

9.4 The County Council proposes to make a capped contribution to SWT station upgrade schemes in respect of the following works, totalling £68,000:

(i) Rowlands Castle - improved ticket office and associated facilities (project total £25,000, County Council maximum contribution of £8,000. In addition SWT expects a contribution of £8,000 from English Heritage as the station building is of listed status);

(ii) Winchester - improvements to the passenger subway between platforms (project total £125,000, County Council maximum contribution of £35,000); and

(iii) Winchester - improvements to the waiting facilities on the upside.

10. Impact of Measures

10.1 All the above measures have been shown to improve the quality and experience of using rail services. It is not possible to specify the absolute impact on usage but experience elsewhere has indicated that such measures help to promote the use of this sustainable mode of transport.

10.2 Secure cycle parking facilities are a proven means of encouraging cycling to rail stations. Facilities at a number of Hampshire's stations are over-subscribed and will be increased as part of this project.

10.3 A new design of bus/rail interchange bus stop pole will be installed at stations served by bus routes, to raise awareness of the potential to integrate journeys between bus and rail.

10.4 Perceived personal safety is an important factor when people are considering using public transport. Extra signage will be installed at stations where closed circuit television (CCTV) is operating, but signage is currently lacking.

10.5 New information boards outside stations will promote the services available, such as nearby bus stops, cycle parking facilities, taxis, ticket office hours, CCTV coverage, disabled access, toilets and telephones.

10.6 Modern, attractive anti-vandal passenger waiting shelters have previously been installed at Emsworth station and are a great success. This type of shelter will be installed at a further four stations as part of this project.

11. Land Requirements

11.1 No land acquisition required. All works to be confined either to station land or within public highway limits.

12. Statutory Procedures

12.1 No statutory procedures are involved.

13. Public Consultation

13.1 Due to the wide geographical spread of the project, no scheme-specific public consultation has been carried out, although the Rail Infrastructure Blueprint was subject to consultation with district, parish and town councils and rail user groups, comments from whom were incorporated.

14. Local Members' Views

14.1 As this is a county-wide project, it is proposed that local Members will be consulted before any improvements are carried out in their divisions.

15. Equalities

15.1 Improved passenger facilities, information and promotion can all assist in widening travel choice and improving access to employment, education and services. In particular `help points' can assist the mobility-impaired when accessing rail services.

16. Maintenance Implications

16.1 All future maintenance of infrastructure provided as part of these works at stations will be the responsibility of SWT. Bus and rail information will be updated by bus companies and SWT. Parish councils will update any information they provide. Bus stop interchange poles will be maintained through the Passenger Transport revenue budget as per current practice.

17. Crime and Disorder Act 1998

17.1 These works will help to promote perceived personal safety, particularly by raising awareness through enhancements to CCTV. Successful public transport systems can help to reduce isolation and urban areas can become more healthy and vibrant places to live and work. The anti-vandal shelters are specifically designed to reduce the effects of vandalism.

18. Sustainability

18.1 Installation of new facilities at rail stations supports the County Council's policies of making best use of the existing transport network. Improvements to rail facilities can reduce dependence on the private car leading to more sustainable communities.

18/MH