Item 9(1)
Report to the Executive for Decision
18 July 2005
Portfolio:
Subject:
Report of:
Strategy/Policy:
Corporate
Objective:
Planning and Transportation
Review of Bus Shelters
Chief Planning and Transportation Officer
Maintaining and extending prosperity
Purpose:
To review the provision of bus shelters within the Borough, in support of public
transport services.
Executive summary:
A review of the Council’s stock of non-advertising bus shelters has been carried out
and is detailed in the Executive Briefing Paper. Current usage of all shelters has
been assessed, in consultation with the bus company and options for the
removal/replacement of a number of shelters that are little used are set out. The
report advises on the contractual arrangements for maintenance of the bus shelters.
A priority-based approach to the provision of new shelters is also proposed.
A report on this matter was considered by the Planning and Transportation Review
Panel, on 22 June 2005 and the Executive will be advised of any comments arising.
Recommendation:
(a)
(b)
(c)
That the Executive approves that only minimal maintenance be undertaken on
the low-use, poor quality shelters set out in Table 1 of the Executive Briefing
Paper, with each shelter removed when no longer safely serviceable.
That the Executive approves that the maintenance and cleaning contract for
bus shelters remains with Primesight at the present time, and that officers
continue to ensure the provision of an effective maintenance regime through
liaison with the contractor.
That the Executive approves that the additional allocation for new shelters be
used to provide shelters at the highest priority locations as identified in the bus
shelter request list in Appendix B.
Reason:
To enable the effective management of the bus shelters within the Borough, within
available resources.
Contact: Andy Viccars, Head of Engineering &Transportation
E-mail – aviccars@fareham.gov.uk (Tel: 01329 824591 )
xpt-050718-r17-avi.doc
2
Item 9(1)
Cost of proposals:
The annual budget for maintenance of street furniture and bus shelters is £10,000,
with an allocation in the Capital Programme 2005/6 of £30,000 for the provision of
new shelters. The proposals set out in the Executive Briefing Paper provide a
prioritised approach to the allocation of these annual budgets.
Appendix: A:
B:
Schedule of Council owned bus shelters
Bus shelter request list
Background papers: None
Reference Papers: Executive – 6 September 2004 – Item 10(1) – Bus Shelters
Contact: Andy Viccars, Head of Engineering &Transportation
E-mail – aviccars@fareham.gov.uk (Tel: 01329 824591 )
xpt-050718-r17-avi.doc
3
Item 9(1)
Executive Briefing Paper
Date: 18 July 2005
Subject: Review of Bus Shelters
Briefing by: Briefing by the Chief Planning and Transportation Officer
Portfolio: Planning and Transportation
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Background
1.
At the Executive meeting on 6 September 2004, Members considered a report
on the condition and maintenance of bus shelters. It was resolved at that
meeting that:
(a)
an additional £15,000 be allocated to fund improvements to the Council’s
stock of bus shelters with effect from the 2005/06 financial year, subject
to the Council’s final budget position;
(b)
the Scrutiny Board be asked:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(c)
2.
to carry out a review of existing bus shelters to assess their general
condition, cleanliness and suitability;
to determine the continued need for those shelters that are not well
used; and
to review the current contractual arrangements for the maintenance
of the shelters that are owned by the Council;
the ‘List of Bus Shelter Requests’ be amended to include the request by
Councillor Mrs Eastman for improvements to the existing shelters near
the Portchester Crematorium.
On 10th January 2005 the Executive resolved to include an allocation of
£30,000 in the Capital Programme 2005/6 for bus shelters as set out in
paragraph 28 of that report. That was agreed by Full Council on 24th February
when it was resolved:…..that the recommendations of the Executive be accepted and
accordingly:….the capital programme as set out in Appendix A to the report to the
Executive on 10 January 2005 (reference xps-050110-r09-kth) be
Contact: Andy Viccars, Head of Engineering &Transportation
E-mail – aviccars@fareham.gov.uk (Tel: 01329 824591 )
xpt-050718-r17-avi.doc
4
Item 9(1)
approved, subject to the inclusion of new schemes detailed in paragraph
28 of that report….
3.
The total funding for bus shelters for 2005/6 is as follows:(i)
Annual budget for maintenance of street furniture and bus shelters
of £10,000.
(ii)
2005/6 Capital Programme allocation for new shelters of £30,000.
Introduction
4.
This report now looks at the above issues and also considers the list of requests
for new shelters.
5.
The Council currently owns a stock of 98 bus shelters which are located along
bus routes throughout the Borough. In addition to these shelters, the
advertising company, Primesight has 44 advertising shelters. An agreement
with the Council allows Primesight to site their advertising shelters at agreed
locations across the Borough, in return for which, Primesight maintains the
Council’s shelters.
6.
The main provider of bus services in the Borough is First, although Solent Blue
Line, Stagecoach and TGM provide some additional routes.
EXISTING BUS SHELTERS – CONDITION, CLEANLINESS AND
SUITABILITY
7.
A review of all non-advertising shelters has been carried out by officers visiting
each shelter, carrying out a condition assessment and assessing the usage of
each shelter with the bus company. Appendix A to the Executive report lists all
of these shelters and includes comments on their condition. In general, this is
an ageing stock, with many shelters in excess of 30 years old and reaching the
end of their life. Whilst the recently-constructed shelters respond well to
cleaning, the older shelters are often in fairly poor condition, with glazing panels
having been replaced with solid, galvanised steel panels or opaque fibreglass
panels, and roof members with corroded and rusted surfaces. These older
shelters will not be economically maintainable, either at the present time or in
the near future; they are also unsuitable for relocation due to their poor
condition.
BUS SHELTERS PROPOSED FOR POSSIBLE REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT
8.
Officers have met with First to look at shelter usage and to seek that company’s
comments about the popularity of existing shelters and where the bus company
considers new shelters should be provided. From this information, officers have
identified low-usage shelters. Appendix A gives details of all Council-owned
shelters and identifies a number of shelters which have very low usage and are
in poor condition due to their age. These low usage, poor quality shelters may
not warrant continuing maintenance expenditure and, if no longer structurally
routinely maintained, could release maintenance funding to be spent on the
better-used shelters. Possible options for these shelters are as follows:
Contact: Andy Viccars, Head of Engineering &Transportation
E-mail – aviccars@fareham.gov.uk (Tel: 01329 824591 )
xpt-050718-r17-avi.doc
5
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
9.
Item 9(1)
continue to maintain
stop maintaining and remove when unsafe
remove as a priority
replace
Any decision on possible shelter removal needs to be carefully considered
against the Council’s previously-agreed policy of aiming to provide a bus shelter
at each bus stop in the Borough. The low use, poor condition shelters and
those proposed for possible removal, are identified in the following table:Table 1 - Shelters with low usage and no longer economically maintainable
Shelter no
19
Ward
Fareham North
34
Fareham West
41
Stubbington
43
Stubbington
51
Titchfield
74*
Park Gate
78
Sarisbury
79
Sarisbury
89
Sarisbury
90
Sarisbury
Location
Funtley Hill west side - outside
the old Church
Longmynd Drive north side east of Justin Close
Newgate Lane east side - south
of Woodcote Lane
Rowner Road south side - east
of Peel Common roundabout
Catisfield Lane north side outside The Limes
A27 Bridge Road south side west of Locks Road
Barnes Lane east side - south of
Bridge Road
Barnes Lane west side - south
of Bridge Road
Botley Road east side - opposite
Swanwick Lane
Botley Road east side - opposite
Burridge Road
* Shelter proposed for possible removal. The remaining shelters are suggested for minimal
maintenance and removal when no longer serviceable and safe in accord with Option (ii) in
paragraph 5 above.
The reasons for possible removal are shown in the table in Appendix A.
BUS SHELTER MAINTENANCE
10. The contractual arrangements between the Council and Primesight include a
requirement for Primesight to maintain the glazing panels in the shelters and
also to carry out a full clean of the shelters. This includes removal of fly posting
and graffiti, on a 12 week cycle. The contractor does not fund structural repairs,
as that falls to the Borough Council. There have been some concerns
regarding the contractor’s response times to requests for glazing repairs and
also the quality of some repairs. Prior to September 2004, Primesight was
reluctant to replace frequently-damaged glazing panels and also suggested that
the Council should consider removing regularly-damaged and vandalised
shelters. The company’s records identified seven shelters which had been
Contact: Andy Viccars, Head of Engineering &Transportation
E-mail – aviccars@fareham.gov.uk (Tel: 01329 824591 )
xpt-050718-r17-avi.doc
6
Item 9(1)
repaired more than three times in a 12-month period. These shelters were at:







Centre Way
Locks Road east side - south of A27
Linden Lea - west of The Hillway
White Hart Lane south side - west of Myrtle Avenue
Warsash Road - west of A27
Locks Road west side - north of Home Rule Road
Blackbrook Road north side - east of Highlands Road
11. Because of the way in which this information was presented to officers by
Primesight, it was not possible to verify that repairs had been carried out to the
claimed frequency. Similarly, the cleaning regime appeared to be sporadic and
difficult to verify.
12. In September 2004, Primesight carried out a major programme to replace all
damaged and missing glazing panels. During the early part of 2004, the Centre
Way shelter had been subject to a series of vandalism attacks with several
glazing panels being smashed. Primesight had replaced some of these panels
with 3 mm polycarbonate but these panels were clearly inadequate against
sustained attack. Officers therefore carried out a trial on this shelter using 8
mm polycarbonate glazing panels to assess their effectiveness against
vandalism. The trial appeared to show that the thicker panel was, indeed,
successful. Primesight has subsequently followed suit and iscurrently using 8
mm panels for all repairs and replacements. The level of damage due to
vandalism has now dropped, presumably because of the thicker panels now
being used, although there continues to be a persistent level of localised graffiti.
When officers are aware of this, the incident is reported to the Police. Most of
those shelters listed above as recommended by Primesight for removal, have
now been fitted with the new, thicker glazing panels. A number of glazing
panels have suffered from scratching and burning, most notably to the new
shelters within the Whiteley area. The worst-damaged panels have been
replaced by Primesight.
13. Primesight’s overall performance has greatly improved and the shelters are
much cleaner than before. The Agreement states that Council-owned shelters
should be cleaned on a 12 weekly cycle. Discussions are continuing with
Primesight to improve the notification to the Council of works due or completed.
Since September 2004, the level of complaints from the public has dramatically
reduced. Complaints about damaged roofs are still being received but the
shelter structure, roofs and steel panels are the responsibility of this Council.
14. The annual budget for maintenance of Council-owned street furniture, which
includes bus shelters is £10,000. . The street furniture budget covers the
following items:





bus shelter maintenance and renewal;
bus stop poles;
bus stop hardstandings;
roadside benches;
cycle racks.
Contact: Andy Viccars, Head of Engineering &Transportation
E-mail – aviccars@fareham.gov.uk (Tel: 01329 824591 )
xpt-050718-r17-avi.doc
7
Item 9(1)
15. Approximately 75% of the maintenance budget has in previous years been
spent on shelter maintenance. For the current financial year 2005/06, 75% of
the maintenance budget equates to about £77 per shelter per year. The effect
of removing maintenance expenditure from the 10 shelters identified earlier in
this report, would effectively increase expenditure to about £85 per shelter. This
would clearly represent a slight improvement on the current position, but with
most of the Council’s bus shelters now more than 30 years old and approaching
the end of their service life, a shelter replacement programme would need to be
considered in due course. However, the costs of removing the 10 identified
shelters would be around £5,000 in the current year, and it might be preferable
to minimise maintenance on these shelters until they are no longer serviceable,
whereupon they would be removed.
NEW SHELTERS
16. The Council receives requests for new shelters. There are currently 23 shelter
requests on the list, as shown in Appendix B, to the Executive report. There are
also 19 shelters identified in Appendix A as needing replacement as a high
priority. Requests for the new shelters in Appendix B have been given a rating
and included in the schedule in priority order, in the light of comments by bus
operators, which have been based on drivers’ perception of the number of
passengers boarding at each stop. If there is a need to change priorities, the
schedule will be reported to members when the Traffic Regulation Order and
Traffic Investigation programmes are reviewed each year.
17. A budget of £30,000 has been provided in the current financial year, for new
bus shelters. This should be sufficient to fund eight new shelters and it is
proposed to use this budget to provide shelters at the sites requested on the list
attached at Appendix B.
18. Some shelters are provided by external funding, either from Hampshire County
Council or from developer contributions. Where developers are funding
shelters, the contribution is set at a level to include a commuted sum for ongoing maintenance, but that is not the case for County-funded shelters.
FINANCIAL
19. The annual budget for maintenance of street furniture and bus shelters is
£10,000. The Capital Programme includes an allocation of £30,000 in 2005/6
for new shelters. The financial information is set out in the respective
paragraphs above.
CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS
20. The proposals set out above were considered by the Planning and
Transportation Review Panel on 22 June, and the views of the Panel will be
reported to the Executive.
Contact: Andy Viccars, Head of Engineering &Transportation
E-mail – aviccars@fareham.gov.uk (Tel: 01329 824591 )
xpt-050718-r17-avi.doc
8
Item 9(1)
21. The views of ward members on how the low usage, poor condition shelters
should be dealt with, and the approach to new bus shelter provision have been
sought.
Members’ responses were considered at the Planning and
Transportation Review Panel meeting on 22 June 2005 when the matter was
considered.
22. Hampshire County Council’s views are also being sought on the proposals and
its response will also be reported to the Executive.
CONCLUSIONS
23. A review of the Council’s stock of non-advertising bus shelters has been carried
out. Current usage of all shelters has been assessed, in consultation with the
bus company, and options on how to deal with a number of shelters that are
little used, are considered. There are no low-use shelters identified for
relocation because of their structural condition. It is proposed that only minimal
maintenance is undertaken on the low use, poor quality shelters identified in
Table 1 above, with the removal of each shelter when it is no longer safely
serviceable.
24. The Executive Briefing Paper considers Primesight’s maintenance performance,
measures against its contracted responsibilities and proposes that the
maintenance performance is now much better than had been the case
previously, although there is room for improvement.
25. A prioritised approach to the provision of new bus shelters is also proposed.
Contact: Andy Viccars, Head of Engineering &Transportation
E-mail – aviccars@fareham.gov.uk (Tel: 01329 824591 )
xpt-050718-r17-avi.doc