Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER-ENVIRONMENT

Item 9

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

ADVANCE WORKS, HAVANT BUS STATION

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JULY 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 2005

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 Dec 04

(at Dec 04

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

-

Construction

165

165

Fees

30

30

195

195

Less developers/

other contributions

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

195

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

195

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

N/A

N/A

Capital charges

N/A

N/A

TOTAL net expenditure

N/A

N/A

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The existing bus station in Havant is the second busiest in Hampshire, both in terms of passenger numbers and bus movements, and acts as an important interchange for local and inter-urban bus services. However the public waiting area is somewhat run down, exposed to the weather and poorly lit. There are no nearby toilets or public telephones, poor journey information display and it is lacking in facilities for cyclists and the disabled. In operational terms there are currently insufficient bus bays for the number of buses serving the station and no on-site facilities for drivers. By providing a new bus station it is intended to enhance conditions for existing customers and encourage greater use of public transport. This will build upon the success of the Service 23 Quality Bus Partnership corridor in Havant which has increased bus patronage by 33%, and contribute towards achieving Public Service Agreement and Best Value Performance Indicator targets on bus patronage and service standards.

In order to minimise disruption to bus services during the construction of the proposed bus station it has been necessary to programme some advance works ahead of the main construction phase.

It is proposed to construct the `layover' area in advance of the other works to create an area available for use by up to three buses adjacent to the existing site, and to facilitate the diversion of a high voltage electricity cable from under the proposed station building.

It has been necessary to treat an area of contaminated land in this location before the layover area could be constructed. The decontamination works (approximately £80,000) have already been substantially completed by Havant Borough Council with funding from the Borough Council financial contribution available for the whole project. Having taken into account the overall programme of funding, it is advantageous to spend Local Transport Plan (LTP) Capital monies on this work this financial year for budgetary reasons. This will allow the Borough Council contribution to roll forward for spending in the next financial year when there are known severe pressures on LTP funding.

Undertaking these advance works should minimise disruption to bus operations and keep the overall scheme to programme by making the site available for the main construction phase. Construction of the new bus station and apron, which will require the existing bus station to shut, are scheduled to start in May 2005 and will take up to 15 months. Robust cost estimates for the total scheme are being prepared for the main scheme Project Appraisal due to be submitted for recommendation for approval to the Executive Member for Environment and the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel, and to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources for approval early in 2005.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposed new bus station accords with county and national policies and targets to increase bus patronage. The advance works should ensure that disruption to bus services during the construction phase is kept to a minimum.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

Havant Bus station is situated off Elm Road in the centre of Havant, close to the St Faith's conservation area. It is proposed to replace the existing bus shelters with a new purpose-built, two-storey bus station. This will comprise booking office, supervisor's office and public toilets on the ground floor, with drivers' rest room, toilets and plant room on the first floor. The pedestrian area around the bus station will be paved with the same finish as the internal concourse, with seating internally and externally. The proposed main building is faced in brick in keeping with existing buildings in the area and is fronted by an enclosed, glazed waiting area. A `Real Time' bus journey information display screen is to be incorporated within this area.

The design of the new station has been progressed by Hampshire County Council Architects in partnership with Havant Borough Council, in close consultation with Stagecoach as the main bus operator in the area. Further details of the full scheme will be presented with the main Project Appraisal in the new year.

The advance works on the layover area are programmed to commence in February 2005, with the bus station shutting late April 2005 to allow site clearance and construction of the new station. It is envisaged that the building works will be complete by December 2005, with the final stage of groundworks on the apron area programmed from January to June 2006, to allow the opening of the new station in July 2006.

The advance works consist of:

(i) Making good an area of contaminated land.

Site investigations have revealed an area of land on the western edge of the site that was contaminated by leakage from an old diesel fuel tank. The works involve filling the now defunct tank with concrete, and removal of associated diesel pump and pipework and approximately 325 square metres of contaminated soil. This volume will then be replaced and the area reinstated to allow future construction of the layover area. This work has to comply with Environment Agency standards on groundwater quality.

(ii) Diversion of a High Voltage (HV) electricity cable around the proposed bus station site.

It is essential that this diversion is undertaken before construction on the station building can commence and requires a significant lead-in time for programming with the electricity company.

(iii) Construction of a layover area to the west of the main station site. (see detailed plan to be displayed at the meeting).

By constructing this area in advance of the main works it will be possible to keep the station operational during the works to divert the HV cable. Also this area will aid bus operations during the closure of the bus station.

These measures have been designed in accordance with appropriate and most recent design standards, including guidance from the Environment Agency.

Environmental Impact

Removal of the decontaminated soil in accordance with Environment Agency guidelines will improve the quality of groundwater flow in the catchment area of the nearby River Lavant.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within land owned by Havant Borough Council.

Statutory Procedures

None required for advance works. Planning permission for the new station is currently being processed by Havant Borough as local Planning Authority.

Public Consultation

The early stages of the design were guided by an interview survey of bus users and non-users, with more formal consultation with bus operators, the local residents' association and Havant Access Forum.

Local Member's View

The Local Member, Councillor Mrs Wride, and Havant Borough Council Members fully support the scheme.

Equalities

The new station and apron area has been designed in accordance with latest Building Regulations incorporating requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Maintenance Implications

It is envisaged that the bus station will be handed over to Havant Borough Council ownership on completion of the capital works. The Borough Council will assume future maintenance of the bus station in its entirety, including the area of advance works. Legal agreements are being pursued to this end.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Closed circuit television coverage is proposed for both the station interior and outside areas of the new station.

Sustainability

The use of recycled materials and sustainable construction methods will be employed.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Undertaking these works as part of the main groundworks construction later next year would adversely affect the scheme programme and bus operations during the construction of the proposed bus station.

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

Havant Bus Station - Working File

Transport Implementation, Environment Department