Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

Item 2

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

ANDOVER QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIP - BUS INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

DECEMBER 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

MAY 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 2004

(at 2004

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Construction

105

105

Fees

15

15

120

120

Less developers/

other contributions

120

120

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

120

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

120

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

Capital charges

12

0.013

TOTAL net expenditure

12

0.013

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Hampshire County Council, Wiltshire County Council, Stagecoach and Wilts and Dorset are seeking to form a Quality Bus Partnership (QBP), with support from local district councils and the Ministry of Defence.

The county councils and local bus operators share a common objective to encourage greater use of public transport to address traffic congestion problems and reduce social exclusion. The provision of high quality, reliable and accessible bus services can help to address these issues. All parties are committed to working closely to deliver a high quality public transport system.

The proposed bus infrastructure works in the urban area of Andover will complement those already carried out in the rural area in 2003. Wiltshire County Council is also carrying out improvements along its section of the route.

The improvements to bus stop infrastructure are part of a package of measures, including low-floor buses, marketing and real-time passenger information. It is anticipated that this will deliver an increase in passenger numbers of approximately 8%.

Both operators use accessible vehicles on routes 8 and 9 and are developing a joint marketing plan to promote the combined service with inter-available ticketing. It is anticipated that the development of the QBP will facilitate the operators jointly improving the service, which has been changed very little in recent years.

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 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 £120,000 from the Capital Programme 2004/05. A location plan is attached and more detailed plans will be available at the meeting.

Specific works include:

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

(ii) installing up to seven new bus shelters;

(iii) installing raised kerbs to provide level access to low-floor buses for people with limited mobility or with prams. Some sites will be relocated nearby to improve safety;

(iv) making minor improvements to one junction to allow buses to manoeuvre with improved visibility; and

(v) installing real-time information (RTI) equipment to Stagecoach's Andover-based buses, allowing `live' vehicle position data to be collected on bus and fed to existing on-street displays already installed by Wiltshire County Council and future displays to be installed in Hampshire. Wilts and Dorset already has RTI equipment installed on its buses, in partnership with Wiltshire County Council.

Both operators have taken part in site visits to agree the appropriate level of infrastructure.

Test Valley Borough Council will administer and supervise the highway works on a fee basis.

Environmental Impact

Through the QBP agreement public transport in the Andover area is being substantially improved. The local environment will be aesthetically improved by new bus stop poles and bus shelters.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be 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 the measures aimed at improving bus services, ie improved information, newer vehicles, better accessibility and new bus shelters.

Test Valley Borough Council will consult with residents adjacent to the bus stops due to be improved.

Local Members' View

Councillors Kirk and Mrs West have been informed.

Equalities

Both operators have invested in low-floor vehicles for this route. The infrastructure improvements will provide a level access at bus stops.

Maintenance Implications

The bus operators will maintain the publicity at each bus stop and provide labour to maintain poles and timetable cases. Materials will be funded from existing revenue budgets.

Maintenance of the new bus shelters will be dealt with by Test Valley Borough Council and will not be a liability of the County Council.

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.

Sustainability

The scheme will encourage people to use public transport and help to change some people's travel behaviour. Improvements to the public transport system can lead to more sustainable communities by providing more travel choice. In the long term this can reduce environmental damage and improve social inclusion.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

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

None.