Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ITEM 9

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT (PARKWAY) STATION ACCESSIBILITY SCHEME

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

OCTOBER 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2006/07

7.

Scheme

7.1

7.2

Introduction

The scheme is located in Eastleigh Borough near to both Southampton Airport (Parkway) Station and Southampton International Airport.

The scheme includes two aspects:

(i) new public transport infrastructure to help promote the use of alternative modes of travel and bring about a multi-modal interchange in the vicinity of Southampton Airport (Parkway) Station and Southampton International Airport. The scheme includes four new or improved bus shelters to include real-time information facilities and new highly visible map and travel information signing on the A335 and also Mitchell Way (the airport access road); and

(ii) a new cycle and pedestrian route which will provide an important link to the railway station where new cycle parking will be installed in order to encourage people to cycle to the station. The cycle route will also provide an important link between parts of the SUSTRANS National Cycle Network (Route NCN23) between the northern areas of Southampton and Eastleigh town centre and is an important link for the Borough Council Cycle Network forming part of the revised network to be published early 2006. The cycle scheme starts at Spitfire roundabout just north of the C351 Wide Lane/M27 underpass running northwards and crossing the railway line via a proposed new footbridge to the A335 north of the station access, forming a link between two existing routes.

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

Background

In April 2003 a Section 106 Agreement was signed between Hampshire County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and Gazeley Properties Limited relating to development at Southampton International Park to the north of the M27 junction 5. The Agreement required Gazeley to pay a contribution of £200,000 to the County Council in relation to Wide Lane bridge and specifically for the provision of improvements to the pedestrian/cycle infrastructure in the vicinity of the development. The held funds have since increased in value to approximately £230,000.

A feasibility study was undertaken in spring 2004 which initially concentrated on cycle and pedestrian measures. The scheme has since been widened to include accessibility measures to assist in developing a multi-modal interchange in the vicinity of the railway station and airport.

Cycle and Walking Measures

In 2005 there were approximately 130 two-way cycle movements over an average 24-hour period on the existing cycle path on the A335 cycleway north of the railway station entrance. These movements are both to and from the station and also between Eastleigh and Southampton. A suppressed demand has also been identified in relation to the railway station where existing parking facilities are fully utilised on a daily basis and a waiting list exists for new cycle lockers. There are currently four bike lockers holding eight bikes and two stands holding 16 bikes on the northbound platform side, and two stands holding 16 bikes and four hoops holding eight bikes on the southbound platform side.

Initially six options were considered for a cycle route to provide an important north/south link in the SUSTRANS and Borough Council networks, and to include a new Wide Lane footbridge or alternative railway crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.

Three options involved providing a new footbridge crossing adjacent to the existing Wide Lane road bridge. These were not progressed at this time due to the high scheme costs of at least £750,000 which exceeded the cost estimate originally provided by Gazeleys of £200,000 and thus the currently available external funding budget; and also due to engineering difficulties. (It may be possible that at some point in the future, subject to the availability of finance, that an option could be pursued which involves widening the Wide Lane road bridge to accommodate cycles.)

Two further options included a route under the Wide Lane road bridge which was ruled out due to safety reasons, relating to the proximity of the railway line to pedestrians and cyclists; and also a route along the bottom of the embankment on the east side of Wide Lane which was ruled out due to width restrictions and land issues.

The remaining option involved the route along Mitchell Way (the Airport Access Road) and access across the railway via a new footbridge in the vicinity of the station. This option was progressed as the only realistic option within the given constraints and has formed the basis of the proposed scheme. As part of the progression of this scheme close liaison has taken place with both South West Trains (SWT) and the British Airports Authority (BAA).

Mitchell Way is only adopted highway for a short section to just north of the Spitfire roundabout, the remainder is owned by BAA. Discussions with BAA regarding the nature of the cycle route along Mitchell Way determined that the route would only be acceptable as an off-road route.

As part of planning conditions relating to an application for a new car park, SWT is required by the Borough Council to construct a new footbridge which will meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) to allow access to the station for the disabled. As a new bridge crossing the railway had to be constructed in the location which the cycle route needed to cross it was beneficial to pool design, construction and funding resources in order to save costs and that, subject to approval, an element of the external funding available to the County Council could be used for this purpose. It was therefore agreed that the bridge would be constructed with not only lifts for the disabled but also slotted channels constructed according to SUSTRANS Guidance to enable cycles to be pushed across the bridge. (It was determined that there was insufficient room to accommodate a new structure with ramps for cyclists.) CCTV is to be provided.

The volume of cycle parking will be increased on the north and southbound platform sides to double existing levels. Permissive rights of access for pedestrians and cyclists through the station on a 24-hour 365 day basis will be agreed with SWT.

Accessibility Measures

In relation to the wider accessibility measures more recent feasibility work and on-site investigations identified a need to improve existing bus infrastructure and the information relating to it.

Southampton Airport approach is served by three bus operators with a total of eight buses an hour which link to Southampton, Eastleigh, Hedge End, West End and Hamble. An estimate of 35,000 passengers per annum use public transport in this area with large numbers transferring between bus and train. Bus services onto the airport approach have increased fourfold in recent years.

As part of the scheme it is proposed to install one new shelter on Mitchell Way, subject to agreement with BAA, to upgrade a second shelter on Mitchell Way and also to replace two further shelters on the A335. All four shelters will be fitted with Real-Time Information displays. (Real- time information will tie in with aspirations to install `On Street Interactive Information Points' on the north and southbound platform sides, to provide a wider spectrum of travel information across all modes.)

It is also proposed to install new signs including three highly visible information points to provide map, travel and public transport information on both north and southbound platform sides.

A detailed scheme plan will be displayed at the meeting.

The overall advantages of the scheme are as follows:

(i) the accessibility measures will help promote the use of public transport through the provision of new and improved facilities and will help provide better information and strengthen links between the station, airport and surrounding area providing an enhanced multi-modal interchange;

(ii) the cycle scheme will provide a direct and safer route for cyclists approaching the railway station from Southampton and the south, away from the heavily trafficked areas along the A335 Wide Lane and around busy roundabouts in proximity to a motorway junction;

(iii) the proposed new footbridge at the railway station can be brought about through joint funding with SWT, SRA, NR and BAA. (The external funding available to the County Council for this scheme would not be sufficient on its own to fund a new bridge);

(iv) the cycle route and the new footbridge will provide the opportunity to enter into agreement with SWT for 24-hour x 365 days permissive rights through the station for the public which currently does not exist; and

(v) the amount of existing cycle locker parking will be doubled on north and southbound platform sides to reduce the need for cyclists to cross the bridge to park their bikes. The new cycle parking will assist in encouraging non-car modes of travel and may assist in reducing demand on station car parking.

7.3

Design Details

The scheme commences at Spitfire roundabout. The existing footway will be widened to the back by 0.5 metres to provide a combined off-road footway/cycleway. Appropriate signing will be installed. The route continues northwards up Mitchell Way across the access to the hotel via existing dropped kerbs. Just north of the hotel access point the scheme crosses Mitchell Way via a new informal crossing area in the form of red coloured surface treatment with dropped kerbs. On the approaches to the informal crossing buff coloured anti-skid surfacing will be installed. The scheme then continues on the eastern footway again as a shared use facility. The entrance to the Post Office is crossed via dropped kerbs. A Resolution under Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980 is required to convert this section of footway to shared use for pedestrians and cyclists.

At a point just north of the Post Office entrance Mitchell Way becomes privately owned by BAA. The cycle route continues north on the eastern side of Mitchell Way as far the existing Zebra crossing in the vicinity of the existing footbridge. The cycle scheme will cross the entrance to the BAA service area via dropped kerbs and then cross Mitchell Way via the Zebra crossing. The bus stop on the western side of this section of Mitchell Way will be upgraded to provide real-time information. The shrubs around the shelter currently present personal safety problems so will be pruned and the existing bus flag pole relocated to improve visibility. On the opposite side of Mitchell Way the bus flag pole will be replaced by a new Queensbury shelter with a real-time information facility. Buff coloured anti-skid surfacing will be installed on the approaches to the Zebra crossing. An agreement is being sought with BAA to establish permissive rights of access over its land; to establish a licence, if appropriate, to work on the land; to improve an existing and install a new real-time information compatible bus shelter; to establish a maintenance agreement if appropriate regarding the cycle route; and for the County Council to maintain the real-time information on BAA's land.

On the western side of the Zebra crossing the scheme enters Southampton Airport (Parkway) Station and land owned by Network Rail which is leased to BAA. In order to route the cycle scheme into the station from Mitchell Way an area of existing low rail fence and shrubs will be removed. The ground level will be re-profiled and a new area constructed as footway. The low rail fence will be extended to match the existing. In the vicinity of the existing footbridge new map and travel information signing will be installed. At a location to be agreed with SWT new cycle parking will be provided (this will be provided by SWT through agreement.) A shared use route will be provided through the station at the back of the southbound platform northwards as far as the location of the proposed new footbridge. (Again this will be provided by SWT through agreement.) Agreements are being sought with Network Rail and BAA to establish Permissive Rights of Access over the land, an agreement for SWT to undertake the work - or a licence to work on the land if appropriate, and a maintenance agreement if appropriate.

It is proposed that the new footbridge should be constructed as part of a separate contract of works to be undertaken and managed by SWT on behalf of the five joint funding authorities: SWT, BAA, SRA, NR and the County Council. It will be constructed to comply with all relevant Network Rail Group and Company Standards, British Standard Codes of Practice, Strategic Rail Authority Code of Practice `Train and Station Services for Disabled Passengers' and also SUSTRANS Guidance for cycle use. It is currently anticipated by SWT that the bridge will be completed during a railway possession timeframe based on a six-hour possession in mid October 2006. (SWT needs confirmation of available funding by the end of March 2006 in order to be able to meet the necessary deadlines for the October possession.) An Agreement is being sought with SWT for the County Council to provide funding towards the construction of the proposed new footbridge within the station. Agreements are being sought with Network Rail and BAA to establish Permissive Rights of Access over the land and access over the footbridge.

On the northbound platform side of the new bridge the cycle route will continue through the station forecourt area demarcated by dropped kerbs and red coloured surface treatment. The scheme design will be finalised by SWT in accordance with the County Council's specification in 2006/07 at a time when the forecourt is rationalised to take account of the new car park layout. New highly visible map and travel information signs will be installed in the station forecourt. At the station entrance the scheme will tie in with the recently completed cycle route and Toucan crossing, heading northwards to Eastleigh town centre. The area of land through the forecourt is land leased to SWT by Network Rail. The existing bus stops on the A335 Wide Lane will be replaced with new bus shelters which are compatible with real-time information. An Agreement is being sought with SWT and Network Rail to establish Permissive Rights of Access over land in the station forecourt. An Agreement will be sought with SWT to construct and also to maintain this section of works as part of a wider contract associated with the new car park.

Appropriate signs will be installed along the route, the nature and location are identified on the detailed drawing which will be displayed at the meeting.

7.4

Standards

The design standards comply with the County Council and Department for Transport standards for pedestrian and cycle facilities. Works on the railway station comply with Railways Inspectorate Regulations and TOC procedures.

7.5

Targets and Outcomes

The scheme is intended to promote cycling and public transport use and directly relates to Local Transport Plan targets.

The levels of cyclists using new and existing cycle parking facilities will be monitored as will future use of the cycle route. Data collected will be used in a process of assessing new local targets for cycling. Public transport use will be monitored.

7.6

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

There are no statutory procedures to be undertaken by the County Council in relation to this scheme.

Eastleigh Borough Council has been involved throughout the development of the scheme and supports the proposed way forward, however if finances had been unrestrained it would have preferred a cycle scheme option involving the widening of Wide Lane road bridge. The CTC also expressed the view that a route via the road bridge would have been preferable. (At least a further £500,000 would be required to deliver an option involving the widening of the road bridge.)

7.7

Policy Considerations

The proposed scheme is consistent with the aims and objectives identified in the Hampshire LTP and Solent Transport Strategy. The scheme will help enhance the environment by improving travel choice and reducing the dependence on the car. It will improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians and will provide better facilities and information for users of public transport.

The scheme accords with the provisions of `Improving the Walking and Cycling Environment' in the Department for Transport Walking and Cycling Action Plan published in spring 2004; the Government's action plan for increasing the levels of walking and cycling.

7.8

Environmental Impacts

The proposal has negligible consequences on the local environment. There will be some minimal impact from additional signing and surface treatments. The new footbridge, additional cycle parking facilities and new and improved cycle parking facilities will enhance the appearance of the railway station.

7.9

Land Requirement

No land acquisition is required. All works will be confined to land owned by the County Council or undertaken through appropriate agreement on land owned by BAA, SWT or Network Rail.

A land ownership plan will be displayed at the meeting.

7.10

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Broadhurst, supports the scheme.

7.11

Impact Assessments

The scheme is intended to improve links to the station and airport and also between Eastleigh and Southampton for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists and in particular to improve rail crossing opportunities for all user groups, including the elderly and those with mobility impairment.

Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of this scheme. No adverse impact has been identified in terms of race, creed or gender.

7.12

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

CCTV cameras will be provided at six locations internally within the proposed new footbridge and stairs. Vandal resistant lighting will be provided within the bridge and stairs providing a minimum 100 lux on the main span increasing to 150 lux over the stairs in accordance with SRA Guidelines and Network Rail Standards.

7.13

Sustainability

The scheme will encourage cycling, walking and public transport as environmentally sustainable forms of transport. It will significantly enhance links to the railway station and airport and will encourage linked trips without the car.

8.

8.1

Financial Arrangements

There are two financial aspects to this Project Appraisal:

(i) the cost associated with both the design and construction of the cycle route, the upgraded public transport infrastructure and real-time information facilities and also fees regarding the wider project - estimated at £140,000; and

(ii) the remaining funds which will form a contribution towards the provision of the new footbridge, cycle lockers/stands and the construction of the section of cycle route on the northbound platform side - estimated at £90,000.

In relation to (i) the £140,000 covers all the County Council's design, fees and supervision, and works costs comprising £26,000 for the cycle scheme; £32,000 for the real-time information and £28,000 for public transport infrastructure.

With regard to (ii) the total cost of the new footbridge as advised by Capita Symonds, consultant for SWT, is in the order of £1.4 million. BAA has agreed to provide £600,000 towards the total cost of the footbridge, it is anticipated that subject to approval SRA will contribute around £250,000, NR will contribute around £250,000 and SWT is likely to contribute £250,000. Subject to the approval of this report and in order to bring about the scheme the County Council is able to contribute £90,000 to SWT towards delivering the new footbridge, cycle lockers/stands and works on the northbound platform side.

The £90,000 contribution from the County Council will cover an approximate £35,000 for the additional works which will be required to the footbridge for the slotted cycle channels that is over and above what is required to meet DDA standards; approximately £30,000 will be spent on the cycle lockers and stands; approximately £15,000 for the works on the northbound platform side; and £10,000 will provide new highly visible information transport signs around the station. These measures will be provided to the County Council's specification.

8.2

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Feasibility study

Fees

17

19

Developer Funding

230

Detailed design

Project Works

15

86

Supervision

County Council grant contribution to SWT

3

90

Land

nil

____

____

Total

230

Total

230

____

____

8.3

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

1

0.001

Capital Charge

18

0.014

____

____

Total Expenditure

19

0.015

____

____

8.4

Maintenance Implications

Work on land owned by the Highway Authority will be maintained by the County Council.

Agreements are being sought with the BAA, SWT and NR to maintain work on the land owned by them, excluding that relating to real-time information which will require a further agreement to allow the County Council to maintain on BAA's land.

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 File

Environment Department

Room 427