To receive an update on the Interim Bus Station Arrangements from the Project team.
Minutes:
Justin Pickford and Ian McNeill attended the meeting to present the latest detail of the Interim Bus Station arrangements for Members’ information.
Justin Pickford referred to the meeting of the Board on 12 July 2016 when the detailed design, procurement and implementation of the proposed Interim Bus Station arrangements were approved. He reminded Members of the bus related matters which would be provided during the period of construction, to include a minimum number of bus stands and stops as part of a mixed design solution to provide shelter and protection from the weather, information for passengers, as well as driver welfare and bus operator facilities including office accommodation.
The preparation for the installation of the new temporary bus shelters to be used whilst the Bus Station was being developed would start to appear in the city centre on Paris Street, Sidwell Street and Southernhay from mid-January, but they would not be in use until the end of March when the Bus Station was due to close. A comprehensive communications exercise would provide key information and help to manage the public’s expectations in the run up and also during the initial period of use. As part of the effort to ensure that the public had the necessary information,
two large display boards would provide colour coded detail to show the reallocation of the existing bus station bays to the temporary stands. These would be located at the top of Paris Street opposite John Lewis and also in Princesshay. Representatives of Stagecoach and Exeter City Council were continuing their discussion over the solution for the back of house facilities for the current operator, but it was likely that some of Stagecoach’s operations may be located within the Civic Centre during the interim period. Members were reminded that it was anticipated that the interim bus station arrangements would be in place for approximately two years, whilst the Bus Station site was redeveloped.
Iain McNeill recalled the reasoning behind the approach in providing temporary bus stops in Sidwell Street North, Paris Street and Southernhay and presented an update of the interim arrangements which included:-
· 7 stands on Sidwell Street North
· 5 stands on Sidwell Street South
· 5 stands on Paris Street
· 4 stands on Cheeke Street
· layover at various times on Red Lion Lane, Verney Street,
· Bampfylde Street, Paris Street, Summerland Street and Sidwell
Street (13 Spaces)
The provision would provide flexibility to Stagecoach in the allocation of services to stands and routing generally around the city. He referred to a meeting of Devon County Council’s Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) which was due to take place on 14 November. Members of that Committee would be asked to approve the introduction of a number of temporary traffic restrictions to support the temporary transfer of bus services from the Bus Station, as well as various temporary traffic restrictions, as required, and instigate the changes required for the displaced parking around the Southernhay area. It was likely that Devon County Council would appoint the highway contractor within the next week or two. Provision to obtain permission to work on the highway network had to be obtained to ensure the contractor team was in place to commence work in the New Year. Iain McNeill confirmed that the work would take place in three stages with Phase 1 - Paris Street remaining open; Phase 2 - and the closure of through traffic, followed by Stage 3 - to reinstate the highway as deemed appropriate. It was also proposed that the traffic flow changes to the vehicle access arrangements for the car parks, Princesshay Car Park 1 and also Broadwalk House would change. This was to reduce the possibility of cars queuing in Paris Street and enhance the opportunity for exiting onto the wider traffic network.
Iain McNeill outlined the timeline and need to vacate the Bus Station site for the new build Bus Station project by 30 March 2017 -
· the temporary facilities were required to be in place prior to 30 March 2017
· to enable the relocation of the buses into the temporary facilities for the timeline, the highways alteration works in Sidwell Street and Paris Street are likely to commence 9 January 2017, with the works to Southernhay commencing January / February 2017
· the interim arrangements would need to be in place until the new Bus Station was completed and open to the public, (currently scheduled for December 2018)
· areas subject to the highways remodelling to create the interim arrangements would be returned to their current layout, circa January – March 2019
There had been ongoing discussions with National Express, Megabus, and Stagecoach and Devon County Council regarding a city centre location for dropping off and boarding of long distance coaches, with Sidwell Street presenting the most appropriate interim solution. There would be three coach stands, with covered shelter for approximately 40 passengers and their luggage on Bampfylde Street. He also referred to the parking for visiting touring coaches with parking spaces on South Street as well as at Haven Banks.
The team would continue to progress the development and implementation of the arrangements, including:
· to finalise the detailed design solution in Sidwell Street with information from trial holes for the siting of the bus shelters;
· continue to consult with accessibility groups;
· continue consulting with the Bus Users Group, Stagecoach and a range of stakeholders;
· conclude the provision of suitable bus operator and driver welfare facilities;
· finalise the appointment of the Highways contractor and start date
· implement the works, and
· continue to coordinate with the Communications Team at Exeter City Council.
A Member referred to the forthcoming HATOC meeting and a report which had identified the estimated costs of the works to be £80,000. He also referred to the removal of parking bays in Sidwell Street and South Street and was concerned over the lost revenue to the Council. The Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that the cost of £80,000 is for the highways works, with the total forecast cost for all matters in connection with the interim arrangements being £400,000.
The Member also referred to the need for any works to the pavement around the John Lewis store, stating that he hoped any such cost could be minimised when New North Road was opened to inbound traffic. Iain McNeill advised that the plan was to follow the existing curb line to avoid any unnecessary cost.
Members noted the latest report on the interim arrangements for bus travel whilst the new Bus Station site was being developed as well as the status of the project which remained on target and on budget.