Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: NORTH HAMPSHIRE AND SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 4

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

ANDOVER QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIP - INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFORMATION IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 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

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 £ nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

4

0.004

Capital charges

10

0.008

TOTAL net expenditure

14

0.012

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

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, Test Valley Borough Council and the Stagecoach and Wilts & Dorset bus companies 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 will build upon earlier investment in infrastructure works on services 7, 8 and 9 between Andover and Salisbury. These also serve Andover town centre and are the subject of a Quality Bus Partnership (QBP) which was signed in January 2005.

This new phase of the works will improve facilities at the busiest stops on the Andover town network, served by frequent routes A (Town Centre, Kings Arthur's Way, Roman Way, Cricketers Way), B (River Way, Town Centre, The Drove, Town Centre) and C (Charlton, Artists Way, Town Centre). If funds permit, the busiest stops on other, less frequent town services will also be improved.

A steering group for the Quality Bus Partnership has been formed, comprising officers from Hampshire and Wiltshire County Councils, representatives from the Tidworth Community Area Partnership, and managers from the Stagecoach and Wilts & Dorset bus companies. A sub-group will monitor progress on the routes covered by the new works.

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

The stops have been selected for an upgrade to infrastructure and information provision as they are among the busiest in Andover.

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 and Wilts & Dorset bus companies have expressed the view that infrastructure improvements will encourage higher patronage.

The Andover town network carries over 700,000 passengers a year. The proposed investment of £100,000 is anticipated to build on earlier investment and increase passenger numbers by 5% on the services concerned.

3.

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 in the Andover area 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 18 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 bus stop clearways, safer crossing points, dropped kerbs and tactile paving and footway links, where appropriate, to provide safer access to bus stops (£30,000);

(ii) replacing approximately 18 bus stop poles with high quality, colour coded aluminium units incorporating large integral display cases and comprehensive publicity (£11,000);

(iii) installing two new bus shelters at key stops (£11,000);

(iv) installing approximately five "at stop" electronic variable message signs along the route at the busiest locations (£28,000); and

(v) 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 (£2,000).

This project builds on previous works which provided, at other selected stops in Andover, 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 in the Andover town area and site visits have been undertaken to determine appropriate measures for each stop.

A location plan is attached and a detailed plan will be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental Impact

3.7

The local environment will be aesthetically improved by the removal of life-expired infrastructure and 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' Views

3.11

The local Members, Councillors Hughes, Kirk and Mrs West 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.

The infrastructure improvements funded by the County Council will provide enhanced safety, security and comfort through improved waiting facilities and "real time" information provision. By increasing public confidence in the local bus network this investment 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 mechanism 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 Test Valley 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. Rejected as the County Council has targets to increase bus patronage and satisfaction with local bus services. These measures (in conjunction with investment by the bus operator in enhanced services and vehicles) are designed to contribute towards meeting those targets.

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

Scheme working file

Environment Department

Passenger Transport, Room 228