Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 1

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

HAVANT 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

445

445

Fees

50

50

495

495

Less developers/

other contributions

495

495

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

495

(b) Other

495

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

495

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

47

0.037

TOTAL net expenditure

47

0.037

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 already achieved a great deal of success with public transport in Havant Borough. Quality Bus Partnerships (QBPs) between the operators and local authorities have seen significant growth on a number of bus services.

For example, service 23 which serves residents between Leigh Park and Portsmouth now carries 35% more people than just a few years ago, the A3 QBP is delivering significant benefits for buses and the new Havant bus station was completed in August 2006.

The new infrastructure provided by this project will build on the success already achieved and add further improvements to the Havant public transport network. Through the QBP, this scheme will encourage further private sector investment in new buses and more frequent services.

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).

Services 37, 39 and 40 carry approximately 2.2 million passenger journeys per year. It is expected that these improvements will lead to an increase of approximately 5-8% in addition to the growth already achieved by the operators' investment in vehicles.

Research has identified a number of barriers to increasing the use of public transport. These 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, Havant Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council, Stagecoach and First. The civil engineering works, the supply of bus shelters and bus stop poles will go out to competitive tender. Portsmouth City Council is aiming to implement similar improvements along the stretch of route within Portsmouth.

Specific works will include:

3.4

3.5

(i) replacing approximately 150 bus stop poles with high quality, colour-coded aluminium units incorporating large integral display cases and comprehensive publicity (approximately £80,000);

(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 £200,000);

(iii) installing dropped kerbs and tactile paving to provide safer crossing points and access to bus stops where required (approximately £20,000);

(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 £6,000).

A plan of 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

3.11

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.

Havant Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Transport and Technical Services has been consulted and is supportive of the scheme.

Local Members' Views

3.12

The local Members, Councillors Beagley, Mrs Buckley, Mrs Edwards and J West, have been consulted. Councillors Beagley and Mrs Buckley support the proposal. Councillors West and Mrs Edwards have 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 proposed in this report 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 Havant Borough Council in line with existing arrangements.

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

Havant Quality Bus Partnership (Working File)

Environment Department

Room 228