Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ITEM 2

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

HAVANT QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIP - INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFORMATION IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

SEPTEMBER 2005

COMPLETION DATE:

DECEMBER 2005

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

82

82

Fees

18

18

100

100

Less developers/

other contributions

100

100

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

100

(b) Other

100

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

100

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

6

0.005

Capital charges

13

0.010

TOTAL net expenditure

19

0.015

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

2.10

2.11

2.12

This project will contribute towards meeting 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, Portsmouth City Council, Havant Borough 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 committed to working closely together to deliver a high quality public transport system.

The proposed works build upon earlier investment in infrastructure works of £550,000 and complement investment by Stagecoach of £3,000,000 in improved vehicles and increased frequencies.

Services 21 and 23 serve Havant town centre, West Leigh and Portsmouth and are subject to a Quality Bus Partnership (QBP).

A steering group for the Quality Bus Partnership has been formed, comprising officers from the County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Havant Borough Council and Managers from Stagecoach.

Havant Borough Council will administer and supervise the highway works on a fees basis. 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

Services 21 and 23 have been selected for an upgrade to the bus stop infrastructure and information provision as they are among the busiest bus routes in Havant. The bus operator, Stagecoach, has introduced low-floor buses on both routes which have increased to a 10 minute frequency. Strong growth in passenger numbers has already been achieved by the QBP.

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

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

Route 21 - Havant-Portsmouth carries around 1,000,000 passengers a year of whom about 40% are in Hampshire. Passenger numbers have risen by 20% in a year. To date Hampshire has invested £250,000 in infrastructure and information improvements on this route and the operator has increased the frequency of the service to 10 minutes and introduced a fleet of new, low-floor buses at a cost of £1.5 million.

Route 23 - Leigh Park-Havant-Portsmouth carries around 1,500,000 passengers a year of whom about 1 in 3 are in Hampshire. Passenger numbers have risen by 34% over three years. To date Hampshire has invested £300,000 in infrastructure and information improvements on the route and the operator has increased the frequency of the service to 10 minutes and introduced a fleet of new, low-floor buses at a cost of £1.5 million.

The proposed investment of £100,000 is anticipated to build on earlier investment and increase combined passenger numbers by 5% 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 encourage greater public transport use on routes 21 and 23 by improving information and waiting facilities as part of offering an attractive and viable public transport alternative.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

The design adheres to the design standards of the Department for Transport and those of the County Council.

Specific works will include:

(i) installing approximately 15 new bus shelters at key stops;

(ii) installing approximately 8 `at stop' electronic variable message signs along the route at the busiest locations; and

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

This project builds on previous works which included bus stop clearways, raised kerbs, high quality bus stop poles and preparatory works for bus shelters.

Stagecoach has provided a list of the busiest stops and site visits have been undertaken to determine appropriate measures for each stop.

A location plan is attached.

Environmental Impact

3.7

The local environment will be aesthetically improved by the removal of life-expired infrastructure an the installation of new bus shelters. The RTPI systems are housed internally so there will be no environmental impact from this new technology.

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

Local Members' View

3.11

The local Members, Councillors Mrs Buckley and Mrs Edwards, support the proposals. Councillor Mrs Edwards also commented that the proposals should not be at the expense of service 22.

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.

The bus operator, Stagecoach, has introduced low floor easy-access buses on routes 21 and 23. The infrastructure improvements funded by the County Council will provide enhanced safety, security and comfort through improved waiting facilities and `real time' information provision. The improved frequencies now operated will improve access to services and employment. 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

3.15

3.16

3.17

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 it will 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 Havant Borough Council in line with existing arrangements.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.18

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

Sustainability

3.19

Installation of the RTPI system and the upgrade to the bus stop infrastructure supports the County Council's policies to make best use of the existing transport network and ensure a sustainable transport facility for the future.

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