Archived decisions

Contact: Michael Hedderly, ext 5492 email: [email protected]

1. Introduction

1.1 In recent years the County Council has sought to fund minor improvements of a less commercial nature at rail stations, such as improvements to waiting areas, the upgrading of shelters, provision of cycle storage facilities, improved signage highlighting the possibilities for modal interchange, etc.

1.2 These measures, which are usually implemented on a match-funding basis with the franchised Train Operating Companies (TOCs), add value to the travel experience but are the kind of improvements which on their own the TOCs might struggle to achieve, due to higher priorities accorded by them to operating the train service and revenue-gathering.

1.3 The measures within the proposed programme are designed to make rail transport more accessible across the range of equalities. While it is incontrovertible that improving the passenger environment at stations and providing better information and signage will, along with new trains introduced by the TOCs and better train punctuality, encourage more people to use rail services, it is not possible easily to filter out from the overall package of improvements what is the beneficial effect of a minor upgrading at a particular station.

1.4 With motoring comfort improving all the time, standards on the trains and at stations must also continue to rise if targets for public transport are to be met. Patronage on rail services in Hampshire has grown by 14% since 2001, but there is still scope for increasing off-peak journeys. It is the casual user (rather than the `captive' commuter) who is more likely to be persuaded to use rail if the station environment is pleasant.

2. Summary

2.1 In February 2005 the County Council approved the allocation of £50,000 of the 2005/06 Capital Programme to Improvements to Interchange Facilities at Rail Stations. It is proposed that this amount be distributed among the following station sites at the levels of expenditure specified in paragraphs 3 to 8 below.

3. Basingstoke (£25,000)

3.1 Improved waiting and information facilities on island platform.

(Contribution to SWT £250,000 scheme, as per Winchester example in 2004, to same standard.)

4. Shawford (£9,000)

4.1 Provision of vandal-proof shelter, with seating.

5. Grateley, Overton (£6,000)

5.1 Passenger waiting facilities upgrade (£3,000 at each).

(Contribution to SWT scheme with match funding of £3,000.)

6. Romsey (£4,000)

6.1 Provision of cycle lockers and improvements to waiting accommodation on the southbound platform.

7. Whitchurch (£2,000)

7.1 Provision of additional cycle lockers to meet known unsatisfied demand.

8. Romsey, Dean, Dunbridge, Bramley, Blackwater, Farnborough North, Emsworth, Warblington (£4,000 total, £500 each)

8.1 Roll out of `station menu' information boards to Wessex Trains, First Great Western Link and Southern stations (as being installed at all SWT stations under existing authorised programme).

9. Impact Assessments

9.1 The measures concerned are of a nature which does not call for a formal impact assessment, being of a minor nature close to existing station buildings and in many cases being passenger amenities actually situated on Network Rail property leased to the TOC. Frequently (as in the case of new waiting shelters) these replace dilapidated ones on the same site.

9.2 The provision of the measures within the proposed programme will enhance the accessibility of the rail network across the range of equalities and help address social exclusion.

10. Recognition of Hampshire County Council Funding and Participation

10.1 It is standard practice for any structure (station shelter, bank of cycle lockers, etc) which has been funded either wholly or in part by the County Council to carry a small plaque to this effect containing the County logo, recording the County Council's involvement. This practice will be continued.

Recommendations

1. That the proposed programme to upgrade passenger information, waiting and cycle storage facilities at rail stations in Hampshire, as set out below, at a total estimated cost of £50,000, be approved:

Basingstoke £25,000

Shawford £ 9,000

Grateley, Overton £ 6,000

Romsey £ 4,000

Whitchurch £ 2,000

Romsey, Dean, Dunbridge )

Bramley, Blackwater, ) £ 4,000

Farnborough North, )

Emsworth, Warblington )

(£500 each)

2. The budget is provisionally allocated to projects pending work with the local community and more detailed design work.

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