BOROUGH OF POOLE COUNCIL. 15 December 2015

Transcription

1 AGENDA ITEM 21 BOROUGH OF POOLE COUNCIL 15 December 2015 ACCESS STRATEGY FOR THE PORT OF POOLE & REGENERATION AREA GRAVEL HILL IMPROVEMENTS (INCLUDING DUNYEATS JUNCTION) REPORT OF THE HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES 1. PURPOSE OF REPORT AND POLICY CONTEXT 1.1. To report on the progress of the Gravel Hill Improvements scheme as part of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (DLEP) Access Strategy. 2. DECISION(S) REQUIRED That Council approves: 2.1. In principle the scheme to deliver improvements to the A349 Gravel Hill Highway as outlined in Section 4.6 below, using already confirmed funding from the DLEP Local Growth Fund and LTP local contribution In principle the scheme to improve to the Dunyeats Road/ Gravel Hill junction to help minimise disruption for the travelling public through its inclusion into the wider scheme (2.1 above) and to allow officers to negotiate with the DLEP to vary the required funding profiles That Council note that the recent public engagement and adjusted improvement design shall be considered in detail by Transportation Advisory Group in January Delegation of the final decision to proceed with the project to The Head of Transportation Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, Head of Financial Services, Head of Legal and Democratic Services and the Chief Executive Officer. 3. BACKGROUND 3.1. In 2014 the Government tasked newly formed Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) with developing Strategic Economic Plans (SEPs). The purpose of the SEP was to prioritise projects in their area that would deliver long term economic growth. 1

2 3.2. The DLEP s Strategic Economic Plan, Transforming Dorset was submitted in March 2014 and after a successful negotiation with Government the DLEP was awarded 66.4 million from the Local Growth Fund in July 2014, with a further 12.6 million awarded in January bringing the total thus far to 79 million The Poole based Access Strategy was ranked by Government as the top priority in Dorset with 23.3 million subsequently given a provisional allocation. The regeneration of Poole including development at the Port is a crucial element of planned growth for Dorset as a whole. In devolving its funds Government understood the crucial role that an improved transport infrastructure and associated access would play in facilitating our local growth to help transform Dorset with new housing and highly skilled job opportunities The Poole Access Strategy itself is made up of a phased 5 year programme of schemes. These include improvements at: Gravel Hill; Darby s Corner; creating a better place in the central area of Poole; and a major refurbishment scheme to renew the approach spans of Poole Lifting Bridge. This programme fits neatly into wider access related improvements within the SE Dorset conurbation The Poole based strategy builds upon the major investment already made by both DfT and the Council i.e. our successful two bridge system. It is designed to help facilitate the likely additional growth in activity as private sector development helps the Council unlock local economic growth Members attended an All Member seminar in September 2015 that outlined the strategic nature of the work ahead and how important it is for Poole to show that it can deliver this challenging but well planned improvement. This is important if the Council is to create a better local environment for growth and with it further potential public and private investment into the area The A349 is an important strategic link between the A31 Trunk Road and the central area and Port of Poole. The A349 Gravel Hill scheme already has confirmed funding of 4.33 million (including a 10% local contribution allocated from existing LTP funds) The works include strengthening the failing highway embankment and improving traffic flow through the junction of Gravel Hill and Queen Anne Drive. It is being designed to allow for more sustainable modes while better ensuring safe and reliable travel along the A349. The funding for design and engagement was allocated to prepare the scheme and started last April. The full commitment from Government and DLEP to fund implementation has already been secured. A formally agreed design is now required so that build can commence during 2016/ PROJECT PROGRESS 4.1. In 2009 a feasibility study was carried out by our private sector partners, Mouchel, to look at options to stabilise the embankment section of Gravel Hill. 2

3 Routine inspections had shown that the carriageway and footway were both cracking as a result of movement In 2010, a short section of the embankment was destabilised when a tree was uprooted in a storm, posing a danger to road users. Emergency remediation works were carried out during a weekend closure of the road Further inspections over subsequent years have identified that several areas of the embankment show further signs of progressive failure and that the stability of the slopes could be particularly at risk following periods of heavy rainfall. Failures and ad-hoc repair works would become more frequent and with greater concern if a permanent engineering solution were not to be delivered The project has been subject to a DLEP due diligence process in accord with strict Department for Transport requirements. Following production of a business case, 3.9m of funding has been made available through the DLEP for the proposed improvements. The programme is governed by a Programme Delivery Board which is chaired by the Chief Executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners who also sits on the DLEP Board itself. Both Government and DLEP Board monitor our progress over time The design team working on the project comprises Transportation Service Engineers, a Council Planning Officer, Geotechnical Engineers from Mouchel, and a local contractor The key objectives of the Gravel Hill project are: To strengthen the A349 Gravel Hill highway embankment. The route is part of the Primary Route Network, is defined in the Core Strategy as Prime Transport Corridor, and is a key strategic link to the Port of Poole. Weaknesses in the existing embankment have caused recent failures, leading to emergency works and unexpected closures. To improve traffic flow at main junctions. The junction with Queen Anne Drive is a known cause of congestion. Future predicted growth and development are likely to worsen congestion without any improvement being made. To improve facilities for people who walk and cycle. The A349 Gravel Hill forms part of the Strategic Cycle Network in SE Dorset and the proposals would complete a shared foot/cycle way from the Merley area into Poole town centre. To refurbish and improve highway drainage. Currently much of the road s surface water discharges straight onto the embankment, causing erosion and pollution, and some of the water discharges onto private land. In addition the culvert carrying the Blackwater Stream under the road is damaged and prone to blocking. 3

4 4.7. As part of the design process, preliminary proposals for Dunyeats Junction are also being drawn up. Key objectives of the Dunyeats Junction scheme are: To provide a safe crossing point for cyclists and pedestrians linking the existing route to the south with the new proposed route to the north of the junction. To provide a safe crossing point for cyclists and pedestrians to reach the Crematorium and existing routes across Canford Heath. To ease traffic flow along Gravel Hill and manage flows into and out of Dunyeats Road and the Crematorium Outline design has now been completed for Gravel Hill and Queen Anne Drive junction, with detailed design well underway for both. External and internal stakeholders have been consulted and feedback is currently being incorporated into this design process. The public engagement exercise was undertaken during October and November 2015 and completed on 29 th November Once Corporate Research colleagues have analysed the results the public feedback shall then be taken into account with the outcome and any potential options considered via January 2016 TAG Environmental surveys including wildlife and habitats have been carried out by the BoP Biodiversity officer, and an independent tree survey has also been completed, all of which has fed into the design and will influence the alignment of the improvements, and the construction techniques subsequently adopted. 5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 5.1. The proposed scheme is essential to the continued growth of the local economy as it maintains access to the Port and supports industrial, maritime and residential growth. It helps in part to deliver key aspects of the Core Strategy helping to deliver key development in a sustainable location Not delivering the scheme would mean that ad-hoc closures for emergency repairs would be needed with increasing frequency in the future. This would reduce network resilience and functionality, and have a direct negative economic impact on the town Failure to address capacity issues at the Queen Anne Drive junction could further constrain any future potential for development of the North Poole Employment Land, thus hindering additional job creation and economic growth A business case to the DLEP forming part of the bid for funding for the scheme estimated the total cost for the Gravel Hill and Queen Anne Junction works to be 4.33m. A 10% local contribution of 430,000 from the BoP LTP3 Capital Programme forms part of the overall funding package, with the remaining 3.9m from the Local Growth Fund with a funding agreement already in place. 4

5 5.5. Current budget costs based on the proposals as detailed thus far indicate that the scheme out-turn would be within the business case estimate The initial funding allocation set aside for the Dunyeats Junction work was 2m, confirmation of this element of the DLEP funding is due to be announced in January A provisional preliminary design cost estimate for an improvement to the Dunyeats Junction indicates that the proposal could cost up to 1.3m if the work was carried out as a standalone scheme. If the Dunyeats Junction work were to be carried out alongside the Gravel Hill scheme, then this initial estimate would reduce to circa 1.1m, representing a 200,000 cost-saving The improvement to the Dunyeats junction was planned for the latter part of the Strategy. However officers have tried to minimise the delay impact on network users by bringing forward this element of the programme to be built as a part of the wider Gravel Hill scheme itself. In doing so the savings would be accrued through efficiency in the design process; mobilisation; reduced site costs and savings in traffic management costs. There is also a significant reduction in overall travel delay if both schemes were constructed as one. These savings are significant and add to a compelling argument. If agreed to the principal then officers would seek to negotiate with funders over the coming months. The success of doing so shall depend upon the flexibility and funding position of the DLEP itself The current proposed financial arrangements are shown in the table below: 2015/ / /18 Total Expenditure Profile 000's 000's 000's 000's Preliminary works Construction 3,640 3,640 Utility diversions Fees Contingency 1,260 1,260 Total 330 4,740 1,260 6,330 Funding Source 000's 000's 000's 000's Gravel Hill DLEP 330 3,570 3,900 BoP Dunyeats Junction 0 DLEP 470 1,330 1,800 BoP Total 330 4,740 1,260 6, There are no revenue implications with the proposed works. 5

6 6. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS 6.1. The Council has a statutory duty to maintain the highway network. The key reason for the project is to safeguard the A349 as a crucial link between the A31 Trunk Road and Poole central development The large majority of the works will take place within existing designated highway land. There is some encroachment on BoP-owned land which was purchased for public use with funding from external sources, as part of the Great Heath Project. The design team have worked with Great Heath Project partners including Dorset Wildlife Trust to agree mitigative measures to ensure the satisfaction of funders that the terms of the grants will continue to be fulfilled The land surrounding the works area includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area for birds (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). As such the proposed scheme needs to take account of any temporary or permanent impact on these areas. Therefore extensive environmental studies have taken place and a Habitats Regulations Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment are being produced BoP is the Local Highway Authority and Statutory Authority for works to nontrunk roads within the Borough. The Gravel Hill highway improvements do not require Planning Permission under the Town and Country Planning Act. However, permission to carry out tree works on trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order is required, and this application process has commenced. 7. EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS 7.1. The scheme has been designed to assist more vulnerable network users. It provides for carefully designed better walking and cycling facilities all of which would be DDA compliant. The process has involved engagement with the Borough Cycling and Walking Officer, and Public Rights of Way Officer, as well as Sustrans and the Poole Cycle Liaison Advisory Group (CLAG) A formal EQIA process is currently underway Every effort shall be made to maintain essential access during the works programme. Given the scale of daily use of Gravel Hill it can be expected that this programme of construction shall involve some significant route diversion and other delay for road users. All reasonable and affordable effort shall be made to minimise such impacts and to make the public aware in advance. The engagement process has already asked people for their preference on how the work is to be done and this shall influence the final detailed proposals. 6

7 8. RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS 8.1. The main risk at present is any delay to approval given the importance of this project to the wider, medium term economic growth agenda The project risks are considered by the Programme Management Board. Clearly with any project of this nature there will be risks involved in both design and construction phases. Thus far environmental risks have been identified and certain mitigation measures designed for. Given the sensitivity of such constraints there are only certain periods of the year that work can be undertaken so any delay in approvals would result in further, more significant knock-on delays In particular, it should be noted that that under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, all birds are protected whilst actively nesting or roosting. In practice this means that tree works are not recommended between 1 st March and 1 st August. Whilst the number of trees affected by the above proposals has been minimised through the design process, some tree works will be required and must be completed before 1 st March in order to adhere to programme whilst not breaching legislation A delay in approvals could also impact on the procurement process, causing a delay in engaging a contractor. This would reduce the pre-construction and mobilisation periods, which in turn would reduce potential opportunities to optimise the works programme and minimise project risk There is a small risk that the next phase of the DLEP programme involving the 1.8m Dunyeats Improvement Scheme may not be approved, as this is subject to Government Funding confirmation which is anticipated during January CONCLUSION 9.1 This project is part of a wider DLEP strategy which itself is governed through a Programme Delivery Board. Thus far progress on this project has been good with scheme outline and design prepared, public engagement and consultation included for and sufficient funding secured towards an affordable construction. 9.2 The engagement and communication strategy is well progressed and shall help confirm detailed design itself to be considered at January TAG. 9.3 Given the scale of investment involved Council approval is required to agree the principal of investment and to seek further ways of minimising likely delay to the travelling public once construction proceeds. 9.4 The timeline for approvals is key if the scheme is to be built in 2016/17 and the Council is to meet the expectation of both Government and DLEP funders. A delay with this project could have a significant impact on the level of funding available from DLEP for future projects. 7

8 Julian McLaughlin Head of Transportation Services 8