REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

The Select Committee requested that it have the opportunity to receive an update with regard to the development of a Multi Modal Interchange at Ryde Esplanade.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

That the Select Committee outline the process that should be adopted to ensure delivery of the project.

INTRODUCTION

The Isle of Wight Council is working in partnership with transport operators landowners, groups and individuals to improve the transport interchange on the Esplanade at Ryde.

Considerable consideration has been given to the improvement of the interchange at Ryde. The County Council first commissioned the production of report and concept drawings in 1992 with further investigations carried out 1996.

The proposal was included in the Local Transport Plan (LTP) as one of a number of potential interchange improvements. (LTP) 2001-2006 – paragraph E.1.6 pages 173, 174, paragraph E.1.9.2, page 177 and section F5 page 203.

The idea was included in the LTP and highlighted as the first of a number of proposed interchange improvements, the others are at Cowes, Newport and Yarmouth.

The Ryde scheme was prioritised on the basis of the longstanding desire to improve the interchange and that this Interchange handled most passengers and would therefore be of most benefit in terms of encouraging people to travel by sustainable means.

The project has been developed following extensive and wide-ranging consultation and forms a key element of the regeneration of Ryde, under the successful Single Regeneration Budget bid for the town (SRBVI).

A scheme was developed and a bid for £5.56m submitted to Government for funding in July 2002.

Progress on the project was reported in the LTP Annual Progress Report (APR) in July 2001 and July 2002.

The Council was notified of the provisional acceptance of the bid in December 2002.

BACKGROUND

Ryde is an important transport gateway to the Island and is heavily used throughout the year, both for tourist and commuter travel. The interchanges at Ryde Esplanade and Pier Head provide important links for people using the Fast Cat high speed passenger ferry from the Pier Head, the passenger hovercraft that runs between Southsea and Ryde Esplanade and the Island’s rail, bus and taxi services.

Both Wightlink and Solent Cruises operate craft from the end of the Pier. Wightlink carry approximately 1.4 million foot passengers per year on their catamaran, with Solent Cruises a further 30 - 40,000 on their services. Hovertravel carry in the region of 720,000 people between Ryde and Southsea and Islandline who operate trains between Shanklin and Ryde Pier Head, carry in the region of 1.2 million passengers on their route annually.

The existing transport facilities have evolved over a number of years and the location of individual uses has to a large extent been influenced by the date of their construction and their particular operational requirements. Most travel modes are, as a result segregated from one another by the actual traffic or transportation routes. The railway line runs through the Esplanade terminal and in effect separates the hovercraft terminal from all other facilities. The Esplanade road itself divorces the terminal area from the town. The current layout does not allow easy access between transport modes particularly for those with mobility problems and pedestrians wishing to access the differing transport modes or walk to the pier head.

Background information

· The Pier and Esplanade are within the Ryde Conservation Area.

· The Promenade Pier is a Grade II listed structure.

· The foreshore and beach is designated as Ryde Sands and Wootton Creek Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and several areas of Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) border the seafront.

LAND OWNERSHIP

The development area includes the existing rail terminal buildings, bus waiting and parking area, adjoining highway and connections to the town centre, taxi rank and land adjacent to the hovercraft terminal.

The area falls predominately within the ownerships of Network Rail and Isle of Wight Council. The road section of the pier and old tramway belong to Wightlink.

CONSULTATION

The project has been developed in partnership with a range of bodies and organisations including, Isle of Wight Tourism, Isle of Wight Partnership, Hants & IOW Police, Wightlink Ferries, Hovertravel Ltd, Islandline, Solent Cruises, Railtrack (now Network Rail), Government Office for The South East (GOSE), Department for Transport (DfT), Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), English Nature, English Heritage and Southern Vectis Omnibus Company. The project was developed by a working group including key operators and landowners.

Initial public consultation was carried out between March and June 2000. During this period:

An initial sketch scheme and model were placed on display at an exhibition in the SRB Office in Ryde High Street, and for an extended period in the Ryde Management Centre.

Posters were displayed at the Wightlink and Hovertravel terminals and all Island Stations.

Details of the scheme and comments forms were handed out to travellers using the cross Solent services and Island trains.

The issue was reported in the local press and Isle of Wight Radio.

The response and comments received during this consultation period were used to help develop the final submission.

DEVELOPING THE BID

The Council employed Consultants W S Atkins to prepare the bid to government, which was submitted for funding in July 2002.

The main purpose of the submission was to establish the principals of the project and secure the funding from Government. The outline scheme had to satisfy the Governments requirements for a bid of over £5million. It was appraised under their new approach to appraisal (NATA) and had to set out how the improved terminal would operate, and demonstrate how the project will be of benefit to Ryde and the Island. The document had to explain how it would represent value for money, improve transport access and integration, relate to local and national policies and strategies, increase modal shift, help improve the local economy, and take full account of environmental issues.

It was primarily a detailed bid document and not intended to be submitted as a planning application. The development of the final design will involve further detailed consideration, consultation and discussion.

DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS

The development will create stronger physical and visual links between the Pier and Esplanade terminal and the town. Improve the access between those uses to the north and south of the railway line. Create a safe and secure environment for all users, particularly pedestrians and those with mobility problems. Allow better access between different transport modes, providing covered walkways where possible. Include transport and tourist information. Ensure the safe movement of buses. Improve taxi-waiting facilities and improve the recreation and tourist potential of beach and open space areas adjoining the development area.

The bid included proposals to reduce the amount of traffic coming into the Town centre and Esplanade by creating a park and ride facility at Ryde St Johns Station.

The building will be of high quality design and construction, be visually attractive, sympathetic to the surroundings. The final scheme will take full account of the historic buildings on the site, reflect the other nearby listed buildings and fit well within the Conservation Area.

CRIME AND DESIGN

It is important that the fullest consideration must be given to reducing crime through design and the final scheme will take into consideration the comments received and direct input from Islandline Manager. It is intended that any scheme will increase pedestrian safety and deter crime and disorder by creating a safe and secure environment. The final scheme will be developed in partnership with the crime and disorder team.

POLICIES AND STRATEGIES.

The scheme was identified in the approved LTP and is consistent with the aims of the that plan, the Community Plan, Corporate Plan, Social Exclusion Strategy, Local Agenda 21 Strategy, Island Plan for Health and Well-being (HImP) and Government’s 10 year Transport Plan. Progress updates have been included in the LTP Annual Progress Report in 2001 and 2002.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

The development will take place on land predominately owned by the Isle of Wight Council and Railtrack. It will be necessary to draw up a legal agreement between landowners and operators to ensure the operation and future maintenance of the building.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The LTP Settlement for 2002, issued by the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) on 10 December 2002, stated that of seven major transport proposed in the south east region, five have been provisionally accepted, including Ryde Interchange. In detail, the settlement letter states that the scheme has been provisionally accepted subject to successful completion of all statutory procedures and final approval by Ministers. Subject to the scheme and its gross cost remaining unchanged in any significant way following completion of the statutory processes, GOSE have indicated that they would be prepared to provide a total contribution of £5.56m towards the cost of the scheme. However, they continue to make the point that funding allocations are confirmed year on year and are open to amendment, and that Ministers reserve the right to reconsider their decision if the outcome of the statutory process leads to any significant change to the nature of the scheme. They also point out that they can give no guarantees on meeting any increase in costs over and above the Government’s agreed total contribution of £5.56m.

At a meeting with representatives of GOSE on 20 January 2003, they advised that the provisional acceptance is for commencement in 2004-05. The bid had been well received, it fitted the Annual Progress Report objectives and was linked to benefits it would deliver. Ministers liked the scheme for what it will deliver in transport terms – however no funds had been allocated in 2003-04, and none will be allocated in future until all statutory approvals are obtained. Consequently, no lead-in costs have been approved for the project to date, therefore any development costs initially will have to be contained within existing LTP resources approved for 2003-04, or possibly, an application may be made for use of a reserve GOSE have available for issues arising during the year. However that will only be appropriate once the project is fully approved. One other option may be to apply for a retrospective funding adjustment for preparatory costs once the project is approved. This is likely to take the form of a Supplementary Credit Approval (SCA) with the possibility of an element of Section 56 Transport Grant should an application be made, and resources be available.

With regard to the nature of funds available, major highways schemes qualify for 50% Transport Supplementary Grant (TSG) – however the GOSE representatives confirmed that as this is essentially a transport scheme, rather than a highway scheme, it is not eligible for TSG. It may be eligible for S56 Transport Grant, but in that case the amount of grant received tends to be a reflection of the proportion of the scheme the Department of Transport wishes to provide from resources available rather than a specific figure, and it will not be as high as 50%. Any approval for the project is likely to take the form of scheme specific SCA plus any approved S56 grant rather than Annual Capital Guideline (ACG) as part of the single capital pot. In this way it can be reclaimed for use elsewhere if, for any reason, the project does not proceed. SCA approval is approval to borrow rather than a cash grant. However, approved ACG’s and SCA’s subsequently find their way into the Revenue Support Grant Settlement as a part of the Capital Financing Formula Spending Share (FSS).

THE NEXT STEPS

This is very important scheme, both for Esplanade area, the town and the Island. It is important that we make the best of this opportunity – the design must be suitable for the location and fulfill the operational requirements. A considerable amount of effort has gone into the development of the bid, this work will now form the basis on which we can develop a final fully worked up scheme for submission as a planning application. The successful scheme will address the requirements of the emerging Public Realm Strategy for the town and fulfill the operational, cost and design requirements.

Informal discussions are already taking place with English Heritage and some of the main transport operators and landowners including Network Rail, Wightlink, Island Line and the Strategic Rail Authority. Contact will be made with a range of appropriate consultants with transport and planning expertise with the view to appointing a company capable of developing suitable final scheme. Consultation is key to this design process and it is anticipated that we will pick up on the extensive work already carried out.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2001-2006

LTP Annual Progress Report 2001 and 2002

Contact Point: Chris Wells - Senior Transport Planner 823777

E-mail: [email protected]

STEPHEN MATTHEWS

Head of Engineering Services