Agenda item

The Panel will consider a update on the Huddersfield, Heckmondwike and Dewsbury Bus Station Projects (Transforming Cities Fund programme)

Contact:

Richard Hollinson, Head of Major Projects

The Panel considered a report giving an update on the Huddersfield, Heckmondwike and Dewsbury Bus Station Projects (Transforming Cities Fund programme) presented by Richard Hollinson, Head of Major Projects. Edward Highfield, Service Director of Skills and Regeneration, Growth and Regeneration and Project Officers Robert Stanley, Armin Alisic, Andrew Brookfield and Timothy Fawcett were also in attendance.

It was highlighted that:

·         The purpose of the report was to provide the Panel with an early update on the position of the Huddersfield, Dewsbury, and Heckmondwike Bus Station projects.

·         All three projects were currently in very early project development stages, and no decisions were being submitted for approval at this time.

·         Some initial timelines for the project had been set out, but these were indicative and subject to change at this early stage. 

·         This was to be the first not the last opportunity for scrutiny and further detailed updates would be submitted to the Panel as the projects progressed.

·         The Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) was a national sustainable transport fund administered by the Department for Transport (DfT) for delivery of sustainable transport projects.

·         Kirklees Council worked with West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and other partners to develop a TCF Bid for the Leeds City Region.

·          The original bid was submitted to government in November 2019 by WYCA and Kirklees projects amounted to approximately £66 million of investment in sustainable transport initiatives including bus station improvements and active travel schemes.

·         From 22/23 the Transforming Cities Fund had been incorporated into the Government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

·         This meant that the timescales for delivery of the projects had been eased from the original deadline of March 2023.

·         There was still an expectation, however, that the TCF projects would be delivered early in the 5-year settlement to demonstrate effective and efficient delivery to Government.

·         Responsibility for the bus station projects was split between WYCA and Kirklees Council. WYCA were leading on Huddersfield Bus Station (internal transformation) and Dewsbury Bus Station.

·         Kirklees Council was leading on Heckmondwike Bus Station and the external works and car park access to Huddersfield Bus Station

·         The split in responsibilities was primarily due to asset ownership and ongoing operational responsibilities for the bus stations.

·         All the projects were governed and appraised by WYCA using the local assurance framework.

·         As the projects progressed there would be further consultations and engagements held with key stakeholders.

·         There were also plans to provide more detailed updates to the Panel on each individual project at the appropriate moment in time.

·         Officers welcomed any suggestions from the Panel to help shape the projects going forwards.

The Panel thanked officers for the update and expressed their appreciation for involving scrutiny at an early stage. In the discussion to follow, the Panel asked a number of questions in relation to:

·         The key benefits of the scheme; particularly around how cosmetic improvements to the bus stations would increase uptake in sustainable travel.

·         The business case, highlighting that it was important to understand clearly how the schemes will lead to monetizable benefit.

·         The number of responses to the consultation, the Panel expressed a view that at this stage the number of number of consultees seemed too low to draw any conclusions and highlighted that it was important to ensure that a wider set of views, from diverse users was obtained.

·         The interpretation of the consultation responses, highlighting that it was difficult to interpret the success of the consultation as there was no consistent template showing the number of users per bus station, and the percentage of those users who had given feedback.

·         The addition of a large canopy (to serve as an outdoor waiting area), which the Panel commented may risk becoming a large smoking area/meeting point.

In response to the question about the benefits of the scheme and uptake in sustainable travel, Richard Hollinson advised that at present all the schemes had been through the strategic outline business case stage, which involved early consideration of what the benefits might be, such as value for money and transportation improvements. These factors were then taken into account by the Combined Authority and district partners at the time when the bid for funding was made. There was a clear business case for the improvements and uplifting bus travel, and similar investments in bus stations were also being made by other West Yorkshire Authority’s such as Leeds and Calderdale. As a part of preparing the next business case, the benefits of the scheme would be set out, scrutinised, and assessed by the Combined Authority and other partners. All the schemes were also subject to monitoring and evaluation criteria, which will required to be measurable.

In response to the questions about the consultation/engagement, Richard explained that the consultation was carried out in conjunction with the Combined Authority, and that a wide range of measures had been used to consult with the public on an ongoing basis. So far there had been some useful feedback particularly around user experience of the bus stations and all the schemes were to be subject to further consultation and community engagement as they developed. Richard further reassured the Panel that their comments had been listened to and that work would be undertaken to continue to improve consultation/engagement and to obtain a high number of meaningful responses from a diverse range of users.

In response to the question on the business case, Richard advised that all the schemes were subject to an economic appraisal which considered the benefits of the scheme vs the costs.  This information could be provided in the more detailed update to scrutiny in the new municipal year.

Responding to a question about assessment, Robert Stanley, Project Officer advised that Kirklees were operating within the Combined Authority Assurance Framework, which was informed by the mandatory elements from the Department for Transports Appraisals Guidance (TAG). In terms of wider case development, it was important to look at the strategic alignment of the schemes alongside key objectives set out corporately and with those set by the TCF, such as sustainable and inclusive growth and carbon mitigation.  Robert also acknowledged that the appraisal system aimed to forecast the benefits of the scheme but there were external factors, such as bus fares, that would influence uptake in bus travel. The appraisal system did however consider the benefits to existing users that could be quantified and monetised in terms of the quality of their experience as well as increasing uptake in bus travel from new users.

The Panel requested that information be provided showing a clear layout of the process and the assessment criteria that needed to be followed in the development of the projects. Richard Hollinson responded to agree and added that a meeting to focus on raising awareness of the process for the schemes would be beneficial. 

In relation to carbon savings, increasing uptake in bus travel and reducing car use the Panel requested to see clear, consistent, and measurable metrics that show the current area demographic, the number of current bus users and the number of bus users anticipated as result of the scheme.

Responding to points raised during the discussion, Edward Highfield suggested that the WYCA assurance framework be added to the Panel’s work programme for 2022/23 and that a consistent appendix be added onto to all future reports. Edward also acknowledged that it was important to consider the wider strategy for buses and suggested that bus service improvement plans and the future of bus patronage as an item to be added to the work programme for 2022/23.

The Panel raised further points in relation to:

·         Improving active travel access to and from the bus stations, highlighting that improving cycle connectivity was essential to increase uptake in both bus and cycle travel.

·         The plans for the Mass Rapid Transit System and the distance between the transport interchanges and the proposed mass transit corridor.

·         Ensuring that gender neutral facilities were considered in the plans at an early stage.

·         Consideration of project budgets against escalating costs.

·         Maximising the use of space in the bus stations, and the importance of identifying spaces for community usage as well as retail opportunity.

Richard Hollinson responded to agree that maximising the use of space in the bus stations and creating safe spaces was a key priority.  He advised that consideration had been given to possible community welfare opportunities through reaching out to local Clinic Commissioning Groups.

In respect of project budgets and escalating costs, Richard advised that the recent announcement in respect of the region sustainable transport settlement was expected to help with some of the challenges around scheme costs increases, but it was important to continue to keep costs under control whilst balancing value for money and the need to achieve the schemes benefits. It was agreed that more information on budgets for the schemes and increasing costs be added to the Panels work programme for 22/23.

Responding to the comments on active travel, Richard advised that further information could be provided to later meeting of the Panel regarding plans for wider connectivity. In respect of the mass transit corridor, Richard advised that the proposals were in the very early stages of development and were being put together by the WYCA, but he agreed with the Panel on the importance of future proofing the scheme.

The Panel asked for clarity in respect of the plans for the location of the proposed cycle lanes in Huddersfield Town centre.  Robert Stanley replied to describe the current plans for cycle lanes and agreed to make a response to the Panel member to clarify any misleading information.

Cllr Elizabeth Smaje highlighted that it was important to consider estimated increase in bus users alongside the current bus reduction in services, as well as asking about the plans to increase capacity and improve safety at Heckmondwike Bus Station.

Timothy Fawcett responded to advise that the proposals for Heckmondwike Bus Station included 6 stands and a layover bay on site. In terms of undercover areas, there were plans to include a pod with an indoor waiting area, as well as a canopy outside with seating underneath at each stand to add significant coverage for all weather. In terms of highways improvements, the temporary guard railing safety mitigation had now been made permanent. There were also plans to add further safety measures at the bus station itself. It was also envisaged that all buses in Heckmondwike would pass through this hub, and the Panels concerns about changing services to the hospital were noted.  

RESOLVED:  The Panel noted the update and thanked officers highlighting the value in involving scrutiny at an early stage in the process. It was agreed that:

1.    A more detailed update be provided to the Panel in the new municipal year which included the details of the scheme’s economic appraisals and demonstrated the benefits of the scheme’s vs the costs. 

2.    Project processes and the assessment criteria be added to the Panel’s work programme for 2022/23.

3.    Work be undertaken to continue to improve consultation/engagement and to obtain a high number of meaningful responses from a diverse range of users.

4.    The West Yorkshire Assurance Framework be added to the Panel’s work programme for 2022/23 and that a consistent appendix be attached to all future reports.

5.    Bus Service Improvement Plans and future Bus patronage be added to the Panel’s Work programme for 2022/23.

6.    More information on budgets for the schemes and increasing costs be added to the Panels work programme for 2022/23.

7.    Understanding and demonstrating the key benefits of the scheme was important, particularly in relation to encouraging uptake in active travel and climate change initiatives.

8.    Clear, consistent, and measurable metrics that show the current area demographic (number of current bus users/ number of anticipated users) and which demonstrate the benefits of the scheme (i.e.- carbon savings, increased uptake in bus travel) should be provided to a future meeting of the Panel.

9.    Accessibility, future proofing the interchanges, safety and gender neutrality were all also key priorities to be considered during the development of each scheme.

10. Improving connectivity of active travel routes to the bus stations was important, and the details of plans relating to wider connectivity should be provided to a future meeting of the Panel.

11. It was important to focus on maximizing Community benefit in the development of the scheme as well as retail opportunities.

12. A response be made to Cllr Bolt to clarify information about the locations of the proposed bus lanes in Huddersfield Town Centre.