Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

CABINET / LEADER

PART II

THE SOUTH EAST HAMPSHIRE BUS RAPID TRANSIT SCHEME, PHASE 1 FAREHAM-GOSPORT

    1. At its meeting on 27 July 2009, the Cabinet gave final approval for the implementation of the South East Hampshire Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Phase 1 Fareham-Gosport scheme subject to the granting of planning permission, which was subsequently secured on 29 July 2009. Cabinet also agreed to enter into a funding agreement with the Homes and Communities Agency to secure the allocation of £20 million from the Community Infrastructure Fund 2 (CIF2) in respect of the scheme, following a successful bid by the County Council in March 2009.

    2. When completed in its entirety the South East Hampshire BRT Scheme would provide a high specification, innovative, frequent, reliable and rapid bus service as an alternative form of transport to the private car in South East Hampshire. BRT Phase 1 of the scheme supports these general aims and will connect Gosport with Fareham via the disused former railway corridor. The scheme will provide a dedicated two-way unguided bus way, for use by high quality, environmentally-friendly buses. A bus-based scheme of this type has the advantage of being able to combine on-street and off-street running, and the proposed new bus way will be connected to the existing highway at several access points along the route taking into account not only existing bus routes and residential areas but also having the potential to link in new services.

    3. The specific objectives of BRT Phase 1, are to:

        · improve access to future and existing employment sites by public transport, particularly in Gosport and North Fareham;

        · improve access to public health services at both local and sub-regional levels by public transport;

        · improve access to tertiary education by public transport;

        · improve public transport access between the proposed North Fareham SDA and local employment, education and health services;

        · improve the overall quality of public transport provision in the area; and

        · assist in meeting the requirements of the Air Quality Management Areas Plans.

    4. BRT Phase 1 will deliver tangible benefits for the communities of Fareham and Gosport. The scheme will provide a significant enhancement to the existing bus network. Journey speeds will be improved in peak hours, providing more reliable services and accurately timed journeys which, together with the quality of the vehicles and the stops, will provide a better offer to the passenger. Importantly, the scheme will contribute to some decreased congestion at key points on the local highway network.

    5. The Project Appraisal to implement BRT Phase 1 was approved by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on 29 January 2009, subject to the granting of planning permission, the acquisition of all necessary land and the award of £20 million of CIF2 monies from Central Government (subsequently confirmed on 27 March 2009). That report detailed the complex and extensive engineering works required to deliver BRT Phase 1, and can be accessed on Hantsweb at: /decisions/decisions-docs/090129-execpr-R0122110830

    6. The Regulatory Committee granted planning permission at its meeting on 29 July 2009 and the report can be accessed on Hantsweb at:

    7. This report arises from consideration of a report by the Cabinet on 27 July 2009, which is on Hantsweb at: /decisions/decisions-docs/090727-cabine-R0720112140

    8. A contract to carry out the works has been let and preliminary work to relocate wildlife has begun, with removal of the old track to commence in September. All works must be completed by 31 March 2011 because Government funding is time limited.

REFURBISHMENT OF BASINGSTOKE LIBRARY - CREATING A DISCOVERY CENTRE

    1. The Leader has approved the establishment of a pilot to develop integrated ways of working to assist with the delivery of the Universal Offer and the Customer Strategy via HantsDirect Local, and the rebranding of Basingstoke Library as a Discovery Centre to reflect its development as a service delivery point for a wide range of County Council and partner services.

    2. In January 2009, the Leader considered and approved a feasibility study for the refurbishment and improvement of Basingstoke Library. The overall cost of the project was £502,000 and the contribution required towards the redecoration works was £250,000, with the balance coming from the Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs Department and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Since then, joint working initiatives between the Library, Adult Services and the County Council's Information Centre Service have developed which have realised an opportunity to establish a modern, welcoming `front of house' for County Council services in Basingstoke town centre.

    3. The scope of the proposed changes to the variety of services to be delivered from the site fits well with the Discovery Centre concept which aims to increase access, inclusion and participation for all sections of the community. This has been extremely successful in both Gosport and Winchester. The refurbished library will offer a joined up approach to service provision, under one roof, including improved access and better facilities for existing and new users. A wider range of activities will also be planned to utilise the community room and flexible meeting spaces that are being created as part of the project.

    4. The additional elements which it is proposed to add to the scheme include:

      · A personal changing suite, designed to meet the needs of profoundly disabled people (adults and children) and their carers, enabling them to leave their homes for a longer period and therefore opening up access to services.

      · A Fire Evacuation Lift, including associated lobbies and improvements to fire escapes and the general fire strategy. This is necessary to deal with the expected increase in users following the work at the Library.

      · Integration of the Information Centre service delivery within the Library.

      · The conversion of the ground floor (an additional 180 sq.m.) into a community space, including meeting rooms which could be used for a variety of purposes and activities, both by the County Council including Workstyle opportunities, and partner agencies including volunteers.

      · Removal of the glass screen separating the ground floor space from the Festival Place Mall, thus creating a more up to date and welcoming venue which would be used to promote a wide range of County Council services and to direct customers to the facilities on the first floor.

      · The inclusion of a Business Zone, comprising a meeting space, including book and on-line resources to support small and new businesses with wi-fi facilities and video conferencing.

      · Improving the air quality in the Library, to provide a more comfortable environment.

    5. The total value of the expanded project is £997,000. Additional funding of £270,000 has been secured on top of the £502,000 making a total of £772,000, and a further contribution of £225,000 can be accommodated from an unallocated sum within the Policy and Resources capital programme.

    6. This report arises from consideration of a report by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on 23 July 2009, which is on Hantsweb at: /decisions/decisions-docs/090723-execpr-R0717091433

T. K. THORNBER, CBE

Leader