Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 9

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

HYTHE FERRY PONTOON, TOWN QUAY, SOUTHAMPTON

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2007

COMPLETION DATE:

MAY 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

nil

nil

Construction

345

345

Fees

55

55

400

400

Less developers/

other contributions

400

400

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

400

(b) Other

400

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

400

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

n/a

Variations from capital programme

150

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

nil

nil

Capital charges

nil

nil

TOTAL net expenditure

nil

nil

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

In 1995 Hampshire County Council signed a licence agreement with ABP Property Investments Limited (part of the British Ports group). Under this the County Council was granted a licence valid until 31 December 2018 permitting non-exclusive use of the wavebreak pontoon at Town Quay in Southampton as a terminal for the ferry service to and from Hythe. An annual licence fee is payable, and the County Council is also "responsible for the suitability and safety of the Permitted Use".

Clause 2.20 of the licence agreement makes the County Council fully responsible for maintaining the pontoon "in good and tenable repair", while clause 6 requires the County Council to indemnify ABP against "all claims or demands" relating to use of the pontoon.

Over time this pontoon has suffered significant damage and deterioration and the section used by the Hythe Ferry is now in need of urgent repairs. On 13 September 2005 the former Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management approved a report entitled `Hythe Ferry and Town Quay Pontoon' and authorised funding of £250,000 for the repairs based on original cost estimates.

A subsequent survey of the condition of the wavebreak pontoon showed that further damage has occurred, such that the pontoon is now subject to an unacceptable level of lateral and vertical movement in response to wave disturbance caused by vessel movements and bad weather, which means that the pontoon is insufficiently stable and is temporarily unsuitable for use by members of the public wishing to use the Hythe ferry service. Consequently, since August 2006 the Hythe Ferry terminal at Town Quay has been relocated to a temporary site close to the Red Jet berth used by Red Funnel Ferries.

In order to bring the wavebreak back into service for the ferry, three of the pontoon sections should be replaced by purpose built berthing/ wavebreak sections, making the structure more robust for its use as a ferry berth. Estimates for this work indicated that additional funding would be required. Tenders for this work received during October 2006 were substantially in excess of the authorised expenditure of £250,000.

On 14 November 2006 the Executive Member for Environment approved an exempt report which authorised the Director of Environment to allocate a further sum towards the essential repairs and renewal of the wavebreak pontoon at Town Quay, Southampton. This Project Appraisal covers the revised requirement of £400,000.

2.7

Targets and Outcomes

The proposed works are designed to restore the wavebreak pontoon to a condition where it can again be used safely by the Hythe Ferry, so that the temporary berth can be vacated.

3.

IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

The decision is in line with the County Council's published Ferry Strategy which in turn contributes to all three strands of the Corporate Strategy.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

The scheme entails replacement of three adjacent sections of the wavebreak pontoon normally used by the Hythe Ferry, and replacement and/or strengthening (as appropriate) of linkages with adjacent pontoon sections and anchorages.

Due to the specialist nature of the works, the scheme has been developed jointly with staff of the Southampton offices of Associated British Ports Southampton. A technical report on the condition of the wavebreak pontoon was compiled following a diving inspection carried out by marine engineering specialists on 13/14 November 2006, a summary of which is attached as an appendix.

Tenders were received in October 2006 for the necessary works but a decision was deferred pending the outcome of a proposal by ABP to offer Town Quay for sale. This proposal was dropped at a late stage by ABP and it is now proposed that the tendered works should be implemented.

The lowest tenderer has been invited, and has agreed, to extend the validity of its tender for a further 60 days until 2 February 2007 in order that authority for the works may be confirmed.

Environmental Impact

3.6

The proposed works will include measures to improve pedestrian access to the ferry berth at Town Quay, Southampton. The works will take place entirely within an area away from the public highway but controlled by ABP as the Port Authority for Southampton, and will be implemented under appropriate marine safety and environmental regulations.

Land Requirements and Statutory Procedures

3.7

No land acquisition is required. The works will take place entirely within an area away from the public highway but controlled by ABP as the Port Authority for Southampton, and ABP has authorised the works to take place in accordance with clause 2.20 of the 1995 licence agreement with the County Council.

Public Consultation

3.8

There is no statutory requirement for public consultation in developing this project, which is required in order to comply with the terms of the 1995 licence agreement. Ferry passengers have been notified of the need for the temporary relocation of the terminal by the operator, White Horse Ferries Limited, and Southampton City Council has also been kept informed of the situation by County Council officers.

Local Member's View

3.9

This Project Appraisal confirms the financial effect of implementing one of the decisions of the Executive Member for Environment on 14 November 2006 relating to the Hythe Ferry, and these decisions are supported by the local Member, Councillor Dash.

Impact Assessments

3.10

It is considered that the actions outlined in this report should not have any detrimental impact on equalities or race discrimination, and will indirectly assist the County Council to improve access to the Hythe Ferry service for all members of the community.

Maintenance Implications

3.11

The replacement of wavebreak sections and strengthening of associated components is expected to reduce future maintenance work required on the wavebreak pontoon under clause 2.20 of the licence agreement held by the County Council.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.12

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

Sustainability

3.13

The decision is in line with the County Council's published Ferry Strategy.

4.

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED (Client Department)

4.1

A number of options have been considered to provide suitable berthing facilities for the Hythe Ferry at Town Quay, Southampton, both in the short and longer term. Although in the longer term there may be options for alternative forms of berthing, the uncertainty of the future of Town Quay makes these unsuitable as they do not address the obligation which the County Council has under a licence agreement with ABP (signed in 1995) to maintain the section of the existing wavebreak pontoon used by the Hythe Ferry. Also for the same reason taking no action is not an available option.

LINK(S) TO CORPORATE STRATEGY

Yes

No

Hampshire safer and more secure for all

√

Maximising well-being

Enhancing our quality of place

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

Hythe Ferry working files

Environment Department

Room 228