Archived decisions

7. Introduction and Background

7.1 Winchester is one of 19 cities throughout Europe where integrated measures to overcome the environmental problems caused by traffic congestions are to be demonstrated and evaluated. This work has been part funded by the European Union under the CIVITAS (City Vitality Sustainability) programme, which was developed to implement bold, innovative and integrated action for radical improvement of urban transport. The MIRACLES project (Multi Initiatives for Rationalised Accessibility and Clean Liveable EnvironmentS) was conceived under the CIVITAS initiative.

7.2 Winchester's involvement in MIRACLES commenced in February 2002, to run for four years. MIRACLES also involves the cities of Rome, Cork and Barcelona. Stakeholders in the project include the County Council, Winchester City Council, the University of Southampton, Atkins, the Meteorological Office and Stagecoach. Regular consultation is also being carried out with the Winchester Commuter Forum and the Winchester Freight Forum. The main aim is to introduce integrated demonstration projects to improve energy efficient transport and encourage a shift from motorised to non-motorised transport, thereby reducing emissions and improving air quality. The MIRACLES project is closely linked with Winchester Movement and Action Plan and Clean Zones. The outcomes will be used to provide advice and guidance to other cities throughout Europe.

8. Mid-Term Review

8.1 In June 2004 the European Commission undertook a mid-term review of the project, including European partners in Rome, Barcelona and Cork. The review involved the submission of a variety of reports and project deliverables, including a main implementation report that detailed progress on the design and introduction of the demonstration measures.

8.2 The Commission's response was favourable. The project passed the mid-term review and can continue with the implementation of the work programme. The overall conclusions from the European Commission were:

(i) MIRACLES is considered a flagship project, is on track and is expected to lead to good results;

(ii) the cooperation between the project partners was effective;

(iii) the quality of the reporting was high, being well-written, detailed and informative;

(iv) at the review meeting the project presented the measures in a well-structured manner, providing a good summary of the information contained in the reports;

(v) MIRACLES has been an active participant in the CIVITAS dissemination and evaluation liaison groups; and

(vi) project dissemination is well developed and `measure fact sheets' should be developed and placed on the project web-site.

9. Project Progress

9.1 During the first two years the project has made significant progress in developing and implementing a package of demonstration schemes in the city of Winchester.

9.2 The implementation of a city centre clean zone is progressing, emissions monitoring equipment has been purchased, traffic data collected and an emissions database developed.

9.3 An environmental parking strategy was developed by the project and adopted by Winchester City Council in May 2003, following a parking review undertaken after the opening of the extended park-and-ride car park. Discounts of up to 75% are available on season tickets for owners of the cleanest vehicles, with free season tickets available to those with electric or hybrid vehicles.

9.4 A quality bus partnership covering Services 1, 5 and park-and-ride was agreed with the local bus operator, Stagecoach, and the City Council in September 2003, improving both the quality of service and information. A total of 76 new poles and timetable cases with improved information have been introduced and a new urban public transport map `PT Plus' was produced and circulated in November 2003. The quality bus partnership included the increase in frequency of Service 5 to every ten minutes for day-time journeys; significant increases in patronage have been measured.

9.5 Following a successful pilot trial with the University College Winchester, a cycle loan scheme known as Bikeabout was launched in June 2004. After registering for a small fee, users can borrow a bicycle as often as they like at no additional charge for up to 24 hours. Additional cycle parking stands have also been introduced in the city centre, and a revised cycle map has been produced and distributed.

9.6 Several freight surveys have been undertaken in order to understand the issues faced by delivery drivers and local businesses, and to explore opportunities for improving the efficiency of delivery practices. A new Winchester freight map showing restrictions and advisory routes has been produced and an alterative home delivery service, aimed at Internet shoppers and provided through Collectpoint plc, was launched in June 2003. Locker banks for unattended deliveries and a city home delivery service using an electric van, in association with Marks and Spencer, are currently under development.

9.7 A public relations plan aimed at raising awareness of project initiatives has been developed and implemented. The project has an increasing profile via local media and is using radio advertising to promote several of the project measures. A local project web-site has also been developed. Exhibitions have been held at a number of local conferences and the Winchester Bike Week and Alternative Transport Day events have been supported. The project is also helping to identify which measures can be incorporated into the Winchester Air Quality Action Plan, including gaining community feedback on the effectiveness and acceptability of such measures.

9.8 New bus departure information systems for the bus and railway stations have been procured and are currently being installed, as are a number of roadside variable message signs, journey planning and information kiosks, traffic and travel information displays at three large employers and an extended automatic numberplate recognition system for network journey time monitoring.

9.9 Through the Quality Bus Partnership with Stagecoach, 13 new low-floor buses have been introduced on Services 1 and 5 and an extensive engine replacement and emissions reduction programme started. Following a successful pilot scheme, the alternative fuel vehicles loan scheme was launched in March 2003. This aims to raise the awareness of local businesses to cleaner vehicles.

9.10 Full details of these measures are described in the Project Appraisals dated 14 January and 15 October 2003.

10. Monitoring and Evaluation

10.1 The project has a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation programme that is addressing the impact of the measures being trialled in Winchester against a series of targets for the applications being demonstrated. The work is being undertaken by project partners, the Transportation Research Group at the University of Southampton, following a base-line assessment carried out in 2003 involving 1,600 households. A series of surveys, questionnaires, data collection exercises and workshops were planned, the results of which will enable the University to conduct:

(i) a technical assessment;

(ii) an impact assessment (safety, environment, transport efficiency, user behaviour, modal split, etc);

(iii) a user acceptance assessment (user's opinions, preferences, willingness to pay, etc);

(iv) a socio-economic evaluation (benefits and costs of implementation);

(v) a market assessment (demand and supply); and

(vi) a financial assessment (initial and running costs, rate of return, payback period).

A report detailing the results and outcome of the project is due to be produced at the end of 2005.

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14 SEPTEMBER 2004

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8879/ACW