Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: NORTH HAMPSHIRE AND SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 2

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

ALDERSHOT TO YATELEY ROUTE 3 QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIP - INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFORMATION IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 2006

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2005/06

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2005

(at 2005

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Construction

165

165

Fees

35

35

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)

(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

1

0.001

Capital charges

20

0.016

TOTAL net expenditure

21

0.017

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

This project will contribute towards the County Council's Local Transport Plan and LPSA2 targets for increasing bus patronage. It will also positively impact on BVPI 103 (local public transport information) and BVPI 104 (satisfaction with local bus services). The County Council, Hart District Council and Stagecoach Bus Company 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 working closely together to deliver a high quality public transport system.

Service 3 links Yateley, Blackwater, Camberley and Aldershot. The works proposed are concentrated in the Blackwater and Yateley section of the route and complement measures already undertaken on route 1 between Camberley and Aldershot and on the Aldershot section of route 3. Route 3 will be the third service in the Blackwater Valley area to benefit from the Umbrella Blackwater Valley Quality Bus Partnership (QBP). This QBP was signed in June 2004 and involves Hampshire County Council, Surrey County Council, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Wokingham District Council and bus operators Stagecoach, First and Arriva. The umbrella QBP was one of the first agreements in England to involve three of the major UK bus operators and is being used to guide investment in public transport for the Blackwater Valley region.

The works will complement improvements being carried out by Surrey County Council on the section of route in that county. This joint working is a result of the regular meetings between both authorities through the Blackwater Valley QBP which allows coordinated investment to achieve maximum benefit.

Department for Transport research has identified a number of barriers to increasing the use of public transport. These areas include poor timetable information, lack of adequate waiting facilities and inadequate access to bus stops. The proposed works will improve all these highlighted areas to generate more passenger journeys.

All partners will work together to improve passenger information, bus stop infrastructure, publicity and promotion.

Stagecoach has provided the County Council with a list of the busiest stops on Service 3 for the new bus shelters and footway links.

The civil engineering works on the highway will go out to tender.

Targets and Outcomes

2.8

2.9

2.10

2.11

The bus operator, Stagecoach, has provided the County Council with a list of the busiest stops for the route allowing resources to be targeted effectively.

Stagecoach has expressed the view that infrastructure improvements along this route will encourage higher patronage of the service and improve running times.

Route 3 Aldershot-Yateley has around 400,000 passenger journeys a year of which about 150,000 are in Hampshire. The operator has introduced refurbished low-floor buses at a cost of £200,000. The County Council is working with Surrey County Council and Stagecoach on a bid for Department for Transport `Kickstart' funding which would see a doubling of the frequency to 15 minutes between Camberley and Yateley, and investment and new buses at a cost of £650,000 if successful.

The proposed investment of £200,000 is anticipated to build on investment by the operator and increase passenger journeys by 10% to around 165,000 in Hampshire.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

The proposals are consistent with the objectives of providing greater travel choice and improved public transport systems. The objective of the infrastructure improvements is to improve the operation of public transport on route 3 in Blackwater and Yateley by reducing stop times and so offer an attractive and viable public transport alternative.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

This report deals with the roadside infrastructure proposals. The design adheres to the design standards of the Department for Transport and those of the County Council.

Specific works will include:

(i) replacing approximately 30 bus stop poles with high visibility, colour coded aluminium units incorporating large integral display cases and comprehensive publicity;

(ii) providing two new bus shelters;

(iii) installing raised kerbs to provide level access to low-floor buses for people with limited mobility and for those with shopping trolleys or baby buggies. Works will also include safer crossing points, dropped kerbs and tactile paving and footway links, where appropriate, to provide safer access to bus stops; and

(iv) undertaking a jointly funded marketing campaign using high quality publicity to market the service.

Stagecoach has provided a list of the busiest stops and site visits have been undertaken to determine appropriate measures for each stop. Hampshire County Council Engineering Consultancy will administer and supervise the highway works.

The civil engineering works on the highway will go out to tender.

A location plan is attached.

Environmental Impact

3.7

The local environment will be aesthetically improved by removal of life expired infrastructure and the installation of new bus infrastructure and high quality bus stop poles.

Land Requirements

3.8

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

3.9

No Statutory Procedures are involved.

Public Consultation

3.10

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 to improve bus services, ie improved information, better accessibility and new bus shelters.

Local Members' View

3.11

The local Members, Councillors Collett and Simpson, support the proposals.

Impact Assessments

3.12

3.13

3.14

These measures have been assessed to ensure that they improve equal access to services and employment and support the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy: 1 Maximising Life Opportunities; 3 Achieving Economic Prosperity; 4 Building Strong and Safe Communities; and 5 Improving Services.

Stagecoach has introduced low-floor easy-access buses on route 3. The infrastructure improvements funded by the County Council will provide level access to these buses at bus stops which will provide easier entry for the mobility impaired.

The QBP Steering Group will provide a vehicle for engaging with all members of the community and undertaking regular consultation to ensure that the bus service offered best reflects their needs and aspirations and is marketed in a way that reaches all interested parties.

Maintenance Implications

3.15

Maintenance of new bus shelters, that are not maintained free of charge by an advertising company, will be undertaken by Hart District Council in line with existing arrangements.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.16

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

3.17

The measures proposed support the County Council's policies to make best use of the existing transport network and help to ensure a sustainable transport facility for the future by making the bus an attractive travel option.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

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

Project File

Environment Department

Room 228