Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 2

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

SOUTHAMPTON-WATERSIDE QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIP - PASSENGER INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFORMATION IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

OCTOBER 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2007

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

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2006

(at 2006

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Construction

350

350

Fees

50

50

400

400

Less developers/

50

50

other contributions

350

350

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

350

(b) Other

350

2.

From other resources

(a) Developer contribution

50

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

400

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

nil

Nil

Capital charges

38

0.029

TOTAL net expenditure

38

0.029

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

The County Council and its partners have achieved a great deal of success through Quality Bus Partnerships (QBPs). These partnerships between the operators and local authorities have seen significant growth on a number of bus services across Hampshire. QBP services in Basingstoke, Havant, Winchester, Farnborough and Yateley have all delivered growth of around 20% in recent years.

Due to the strong potential for achieving passenger growth, Solent Blue Line launched a fleet of new vehicles in March 2006 on its routes between Calshot and Southampton City Centre, at a cost of £1.4 million. The services also operate more frequently and include more express services.

The new infrastructure provided by this project will build on this private sector investment and add further improvements to this major public transport corridor.

Targets and Outcomes

This project contributes towards meeting the County Council's Local Transport Plan target for increasing bus patronage. It will also positively impact on Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) 103 (satisfaction with local public transport information) and BVPI 104 (satisfaction with local bus services).

The `Bluestar' 8 and 9 services carry approximately 600,000 passengers per year. It is expected that these improvements along with the £1.4 million investment made by Solent Blue Line in new vehicles and better frequencies will contribute towards an increase of approximately 20%.

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

The scheme will help to provide more reliable and punctual bus services by reducing boarding times and improving access to bus stops.

The scheme will help to reduce social exclusion and improve accessibility by providing improved public transport services, which in turn provide access to employment, healthcare and shopping.

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 use of public transport by improving information provision and waiting facilities.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

The project has been developed and is being managed by a Steering Group comprising officers of Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council and Solent Blue Line, in consultation with New Forest District Council and Parish Councils. The civil engineering works, the supply of bus shelters and bus stop poles will go out to competitive tender. Southampton City Council is aiming to implement similar improvements along the stretch of route within Southampton.

Specific works will include:

3.4

3.5

(i) replacing approximately 140 bus stop poles with high quality, colour-coded aluminium units incorporating large integral display cases and comprehensive publicity (approximately £75,000);

(ii) installing raised boarding kerbs at the busiest bus stops to provide level access to low-floor buses to assist people with limited mobility, wheelchair users and those with shopping trolleys or baby buggies (approximately £100,000);

(iii) installing dropped kerbs and tactile paving to provide safer crossing points and access to bus stops where required (approximately £30,000);

(iv) providing bus stop clearways where buses are unable to access the bus stop (approximately £10,000);

(v) providing new bus shelters where required (approximately £90,000);

(vi) introducing a text messaging service where customers can obtain information about the next three buses from their stop, via mobile phone (approximately £2,000); and

(vii) undertaking an initial joint promotional campaign with operators highlighting the improved services (approximately £5,000).

A plan showing the route is attached.

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

Environmental Impact

3.6

The local environment will be aesthetically improved by the installation of new bus shelters and bus stop poles.

Land Requirements

3.7

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

Statutory Procedures

3.8

No Statutory Procedures are involved.

Public Consultation

3.9

3.10

Market research, bus passenger surveys and focus groups have been carried out with Hampshire residents. The results indicate a very positive response to measures to improve bus services, eg improved timetables, better availability of information, improved accessibility and new waiting facilities.

Members of the public whose homes are adjacent to the stops will be consulted before civil engineering works are started.

3.11

The New Forest District Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Planning is supportive of the works.

Local Members' View

3.12

The local Members, Councillors Dash, Dunsdon, Harrison and Weeks have been consulted. Councillors Dash, Dunsdon and Harrison support the scheme. Councillor Weeks has not yet responded.

Impact Assessments

3.13

Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of this proposal but no adverse impact has been identified in terms of race, creed or gender. The needs of the elderly and disabled were considered as required by the Transport Act 2000. The measures will improve access to public transport (and therefore other services) for the elderly and the mobility impaired.

Maintenance Implications

3.14

Maintenance of bus shelters that are not maintained free of charge by an advertising company will be undertaken by the local Parish or Town Councils, in line with existing arrangements. New shelters will only be provided where maintenance agreements are reached.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.15

The provisions of the Act have no impact on this proposal. Perception of personal safety will be increased by the improved passenger waiting environment.

Sustainability

3.16

Installation of new public transport infrastructure supports the County Council's policy of making best use of the existing transport network and ensures a sustainable transport facility for the future.

4.

IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Investment could have been targeted at alternative potential QBP routes, but after consultation with operators and studying the services it is considered that these routes offer the best value for money and have the best potential for passenger growth.

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

Southampton-Waterside Quality Bus Partnership (working file)

Environment Department

Room 228