THE SOUTH EAST HAMPSHIRE BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT)

On 27 October 2008, Cabinet considered a report outlining the South East Bus Rapid Transit Scheme http://www.hants.gov.uk/decisions/decisions-docs/081027-cabine-R1023122021.html and approved the submission of a full business case to Government for £20m of funding to undertake the first phase to serve South East Hampshire. This first phase focuses on the Fareham Gosport section of the network comprising the delivery of an off-road bus way along the section of the disused railway line between Redland Lane in Fareham and Tichborne Way in Gosport and as such will begin to address existing problems related to accessibility and congestion.

Cabinet were made aware of the numerous public and private funding sources which can now be used to support the delivery of major transport schemes but these are often competitive, have specific criteria and timescales and require significant resource outlay in bid preparation. In this case the funding source is time limited to 31 March 2011 and the maximum funding likely to be available has limited the scope of this first phase. A parallel bid to support future phases of the scheme has been made to the Regional Transport Fund for the period commencing 2016.

The BRT scheme potentially offers a significant number of economic, transport, environmental and social enhancements that would be of direct benefit to 100,000 households (230,000 people) who currently live within one kilometre of the proposed wider scheme. The scheme can also be developed incrementally. Good progress has been made on the design, traffic, environmental, operational and marketing and consultation elements of the scheme.

In order to fulfil the growth objectives and investment needs of both Hampshire and the sub-region in line with the requirements of the South East Plan, major transport infrastructure improvements are essential. The partnership Transport for South Hampshire (TfSH) was established in October 2007 as a delivery agency for South Hampshire to promote the sub-regional transport agenda, implement transport schemes of a sub-regional nature and lobby and/or influence on all other associated aspects within the TfSH Area. Eight packages of interventions were assembled for submission in 2008 to the Regional Funding Allocation Refresh for prioritisation at a regional level for funding. Taking into account compliance with the South East Plan; value for money; deliverability; ability to unlock housing growth; the potential to improve economic competitiveness and the need to address the accessibility issues in Gosport and Portsmouth, the BRT scheme was the one most likely to meet the identified criteria.

Gosport and Fareham Borough Councils have not yet expressed a formal view on the project but County Council officers have met with Gosport Borough Council Members to present the proposals. The Cabinet were hopeful that both Fareham and Gosport Borough Councils would view the BRT proposals in the context of the benefits of providing a dedicated route for high speed bus travel which will avoid congested sections of the A32 and actively support the scheme, which will be essential to meet the challenging timescale.

While mitigation is employed to minimise risk, a scheme of such magnitude has a number of variables relating to issues such as planning, project management, governance, the associated legal matters, finance and the time limited availability of funding. The elements of uncertainty in respect of some of these need to be acknowledged but a further report will be presented to Cabinet on the formal position of Fareham and Gosport Borough Councils.

Members of the Cabinet expressed reservations at the approach of the BRT as a piecemeal solution to what is a wider transport problem in South East Hampshire and were conscious of the disappointing outcome of the previous Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Scheme, deemed unaffordable by Government, which had a much higher benefit to cost ratio than this Phase 1 scheme. The Cabinet were mindful at the lack of commitment by the Government to provide adequate, timely funding for infrastructure to those areas that most need it and therefore sought reassurance that approving the proposals would not prevent alternative options being considered in the future to maintain maximum flexibility, particularly if the Government's thinking on LRT schemes should change.

The Government decision on CIF award is due in February 2009, although design work will need to continue in the meantime to maximise the prospects of meeting the challenging timescale. If successful, further aspects of the scheme, including site clearance, planning, compulsory purchase and tendering arrangements will be progressed as quickly as possible.