Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: NORTH HAMPSHIRE AND SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 1

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

BASINGSTOKE 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

9

0.007

Capital charges

20

0.016

TOTAL net expenditure

29

0.023

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

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, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Stagecoach Bus Company share a common objective to encourage greater use of public transport in Hampshire to address traffic congestion problems and work together under an `umbrella' Quality Bus Partnership (QBP). The provision of high quality, reliable and accessible bus services can help to address these issues. All parties are committed to working closely together to deliver a high quality public transport system.

The route is one of the busiest in Basingstoke and the proposed improvements will complement investment by Stagecoach in better vehicles and increased frequencies. Service 3 links East Popley and South Ham via Basingstoke town centre.

A Steering Group for the QBP meets regularly, comprising officers from the County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, together with Managers from Stagecoach.

Hampshire County Council Engineering Consultancy will administer and supervise the highway works. The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Group from Hampshire County Council will administer and supervise the installation of the Real-Time Passenger Information (RTPI) equipment.

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

Targets and Outcomes

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

2.10

2.11

2.12

Service 3 has been selected for an upgrade to the bus stop infrastructure and information as it is one of the busiest bus routes in Basingstoke. The bus operator, Stagecoach, has introduced refurbished low-floor buses on the route which has been increased to a 10 minute frequency.

The proposed bus infrastructure improvement works will include the installation of new bus shelters, construction of raised access kerbs to ease bus boarding, alteration of pavement heights, introduction of crossing points and new footway links to bus stops where required, provision of bus stop clearways, new high quality bus stop poles with integrated information displays, together with new or replacement bus shelters where appropriate.

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.

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 reliability.

Route 3 Popley-Basingstoke-South Ham has around 700,000 passenger journeys a year. Passenger journeys have risen by 7% in a year. The operator has increased the frequency of the service to 10 minutes using refurbished low-floor buses and plans to introduce new low-floor buses at a cost of £700,000 in autumn 2005.

The proposed investment of £200,000 is anticipated to complement investment by the operator and increase passenger journeys by 7% to around 750,000.

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 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

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 quality, colour coded aluminium units incorporating large integral display cases and comprehensive publicity;

(ii) providing new bus shelters where appropriate;

(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;

(iv) installing approximately 12 `at stop' electronic variable message signs along the route at the busiest locations;

(v) assisting with the implementation of mobile phone (SMS and WAP) technology to ensure bus information can be received through text messages and via the internet; and

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

Location plans are attached.

Environmental Impact

3.5

The local environment will be aesthetically improved by the installation of new bus shelters and high quality bus stop poles. The RTPI systems are housed internally so there will be no environmental impact from this new technology.

Land Requirements

3.6

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

Statutory Procedures

3.7

No Statutory Procedures are involved.

Public Consultation

3.8

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 timetables, improved information, better accessibility and new bus shelters.

Local Members' View

3.9

The local Members, Councillors Mrs Frankum and Jo Kelly, have been consulted. Councillor Mrs Frankum supports the proposals. The views of Councillor Jo Kelly are awaited.

Impact Assessments

3.10

3.11

3.12

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. All electronic variable message signs will have a key fob audio speech facility for the visually impaired to make audio announcements of next bus departures.

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

3.13

3.14

3.15

ITS equipment is designed to operate over a period of 10 to 15 years with only routine maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer. Beyond this period equipment may require upgrades or replacement. In addition they consume electricity and require connection to an appropriate telecommunication system, incurring data transmission charges and rental.

The County Council has entered into an agreement with Orange to secure GPRS communications for the RTPI system at a competitive rate of £2 per SIM card (each sign) per month. Data transmission charges are estimated to be in the region of £25 per sign per month.

Maintenance of new bus shelters, that are not maintained free of charge by an advertising company, will be undertaken by Basingstoke and Deane Borough 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)

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