Agenda item

The Panel will consider a report setting out a progress update and the next steps for the Huddersfield, Heckmondwike and DewsburyBus StationProjects (part of the TransformingCities Fund Programme).

 

Contact:

Richard Hollinson Headof MajorProjects

The Panel considered a report setting out a progress update on the Huddersfield, Heckmondwike and Dewsbury Bus Station Projects, part of the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) Programme presented by Richard Hollinson, Head of Major Projects. Lead Officers from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) were also in attendance. Richard Hollinson shared a presentation which provided a detailed update on each of the Bus Station projects. It was explained that:

 

·       At a previous meeting of the Panel (approximately 6 months ago), the Panel had requested further information in relation to the bus station projects and their progress.

·       The projects were funded through the TCF which had been incorporated into the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and was administered through the WYCA.

·       The Huddersfield and Dewsbury bus station projects were project managed by the WYCA, and Heckmondwike bus station and the entrance canopy at Huddersfield Bus Station were project managed by Kirklees Council.

·       The WYCA had an Assurance Framework in place to scrutinise the projects and make recommendations to the West Yorkshire Transport Committee for approval. 

·       The WYCA Assurance Framework was in alignment with the Governments framework for assessing large scale infrastructure projects.

·       There key stages of the projects included:

o   The Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC), which allowed for changes to be made.

o   The Outline Business Case (OBC), which was more detailed and identified the preferred options.

o   The Full Business Case (FBC), which outlined the preferred option and would be scrutinised in detail in relation to the delivery, the financial case and the scheme objectives.

o   Delivery and monitoring.

 

Tim Fawcett, Project Manager, Kirklees Council, provided an update on the Heckmondwike bus station project and advised that:

·       Heckmondwike bus station was a large open space with 4 bus shelters.

·       The proposal was to significantly transform the site to provide increased capacity for buses which included 6 bus stands and a layover bay for drivers.

·       The key issues identified were a decline in bus patronage, insufficient capacity for busses at the station, poor bus user experience and a lack of facilities.

·       Building improvements aimed to achieve an increase in bus patronage, encouraged by an enhanced and inclusive user exsprence, improved journey quality and increased user safety through CCTV and on-site presence.

·       Improvements also included a reduction in congestion, improved air quality and the introduction of solar panels.

·       There were project management issues relating to costs, risks and timescales.

·       The budget was short of five million with over three hundred and twenty thousand ringfenced funds for Carbon Mitigation measures.

·       A Planning application was underway and public engagement and consultation had taken place.

·       The consultation/engagement followed a ‘you said we did approach’ to show the public how they had informed the project.

·       The feedback identified majority support for the projects and highlighted key issues in relation to traffic signals and disabled bays on site.

 

Duncan Wyche, Project Manager, WYCA, provided an update on the Huddersfield Bus Station project and outlined that:

·       This was a joint scheme between the WYCA and Kirklees Council to transform the bus station and uplift the surrounding area.

·       A value engineering exercise had been undertaken to help reduce costs but to also ensure the transformation aspects of the project were maintained.

·       The key issues identified were a decline in bus patronage, a need for modernisation and improvements to safety and security.

·       The transformation of the bus station and arrivals area would address the key issues, provide additional facilities, and improve the bus station overall.

·       The benefits of the project included, supporting inclusive and clean growth, Making the bus station an energy efficient facility, enhanced customer experience, increases in patronage and improved connectivity, accessibility, safety and security.

·       The costs of the project were between nine and twenty million, with the preferred option being nearer to twenty million.

·       A decision in relation to proceeding to the next stage, which was the FBC, was to be made by the West Yorkshire Transport Committee on the 21st October 2022.

·       There were risks in relation to Statutory Services, cost increases and limitations due to Network Rail tunnels.

·       In terms of timescales, WYCA were in the process of appointing the next development partner and plans were in place to submit the FBC at the end of 2023, to be onsite by Spring 2024, and for works to be completed by 2025.

·       Consultation and engagement had taken place with overall support for the scheme and an indication that people were more likely to use active travel after the completion of works.

 

Andrew Brookfield, Project Officer, Kirklees Council, added that :

·       The main entrance to the bus station would be much more inviting.

·       60 cycle stands would be created to include e bikes and e scooters.

·       The green roof was a large area and would incorporate solar panels.

 

Nick Fairchild, Project Manager, WYCA provided an update on the Dewsbury bus station project and outlined that:

·       The Project was being developed in response to key issues which included a poor-quality physical environment, anti-social behaviour, road safety concerns, a lack of good quality services and accessible facilities, and poor pedestrian access.

·       Modernisation to the interior and exterior of the bus station would make it more attractive and welcoming

·       The main benefits of the upgrades include increased customer satisfaction and bus patronage along with reductions in anti-social behaviour.

·       Improvements would also make the bus station more energy efficient and contribute to the regeneration of Dewsbury Town Centre.

·       The projects OBC and indicative cost of fourteen million were approved March 2022.

·       The risks identified included the proposed glazing in the concourse, the existing structural frame in the retail units and the scope of works resulting in the elongation of the programme.

·       It was expected that the FBC would be approve in Summer 2023, work would commence in Autumn 2023, with estimated completion early 2025. 

·       Engagement and consultation had taken place which identified support for the scheme.

 

The Panel noted the presentation and, in the discussion, to follow, the Panel raised various questions around several issues including how the proposal to increase retail usage in Dewsbury bus station would be achieved and how wider bus services could be improved (particularly in more rural areas). Other key themes included questions around consultation/engagement, increasing bus patronage, safety, accessibility, the greening of the bus stations and the maintenance of these areas.

 

Responding to the questions raised by the Panel in relation to consultation/engagement Richard Hollinson explained that most consultation events had taken place within the bus stations and most responses were from bus users. Richard shared the importance of understanding the user experience to help incorporate it into the design work.

 

Responding to a question in relation to the greening of the bus stations and the budget allocation for the maintenance of green spaces; Richard Hollinson advised that this area was a key consideration of the project and the OBC had allowed for calculations to be completed in relation to maintenance costs. He further shared that the canopy and Heckmondwike bus station would fall within the mandate of Kirklees Council and that revenue costs had been provided for consideration by the management team for future budgeting. Richard also shared that WYCA had their own revenue budget for the running of bus stations but that it may need to be supplemented. Mark Ramsden, Head of Service for the transforming Cities Fund, WYCA, added that WYCA they would take ownership of the maintenance costs of its own assets and that a Maintenance and Operational plan would be developed to understand and minimise costs.

 

The Panel advised that in order to increase bus patronage it was important to speak to non-bus users, to determine why they were not choosing to travel by bus. The Panel recommended that any further engagement should be carried out with a wider range of people who do not use buses and the example of approaching motorists in car parks was given. The Panel were pleased that maintenance costs were being incorporated in the business cases but suggested it would be useful to know who the accountable Service / Officer would be, were they engaged, and did they have the resources?

 

Mark Ramsden responded to the Panels questions and shared that a Station Manager on the site would carry out site inspections and maintenance plans, and routine maintenance would happen as part of that. Mark also shared that engagement with bus users in the bus stations was to identify what improvements were needed but acknowledged the point raised by the Panel in relation to engaging with non-bus users, advising more engagement would take place as the projects developed.

 

Responding to a question raised by Councillor Smaje regarding the two-space increase at Heckmondwike bus station, and whether this would facilitate all busses into the new bus station; Tim Fawcett advised that it was envisaged that Arriva would utilise the additional space for all their services passing through Heckmondwike. The 2 spaces had been modelled and there was a significant increase in the movements going in and out of the bus station.

 

Responding to a question raised by Councillor Smaje regarding the proposed canopy at Huddersfield bus station, Richard Hollinson advised that one of the key objectives was to improve the appearance of the bus station, but it also had other benefits including the cycle hub.

 

Responding to a question raised by Councillor Smaje regarding the investment in Solar Panels and who would benefit from the energy generated, Richard Hollinson explained that work was ongoing with the WYCA to consider carbon mitigation measures and managing revenue costs generated from the solar panels.

 

Responding to a question from by Councillor Smaje regarding how the bus station investments would align with the WYCA’s vision 2040 and the Local Transport Plan; Richard Hollinson advised that the bus station projects were key to linking in with wider Council ambitions in relation to transportation and de-carbonisation. Richard shared there were also links to the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

 

Addressing concerns raised regarding accessibility within the bus stations, Officers advised that workshops and liaison with accessibility groups had taken place which helped shape some of the concept designs, which would be reviewed to ensure compliance with the Equality Act. In respect of Huddersfield Bus Station, it was also highlighted that the new Inclusive Mobility Guidance had been taken into consideration to ensure sloping floors and concourses were compliant in terms of gradients.

 

With regards to safety and security, liaison had been undertaken with the police and others, such as community support officers to get their views on how to increase security through design and to consider different deterrents such as CCTV, onsite security presence increased visibility and different forms of lighting. In response to Councillor Smaje’ s suggestion of a ‘safe space’ for people to use during the day and evening, Duncan Wyche shared that for Huddersfield Bus Station, a changing places facility had been added to designs and consideration had been given to adding a contemplation and/or prayer room.

 

Robert Stanley, Transforming Cities Fund Programme Lead, Kirklees Council added that the main entrance canopy at Huddersfield bus station was to improve the entrance and exits of the station but also to encourage more meeting and waiting of people who would usually do this within the bus station, allowing for a more passive surveillance and an increased sense of feeling safe in a more naturally vibrant area. Robert also shared that this has been evidenced in other cities to improve security and feeling safe.

 

In response to a question from the Panel regarding the removal of trees to facilitate the proposed canopy at Huddersfield bus station, Richard Hollinson advised of the Council Policy in relation to this, and that the scheme would also be subject to a planning application which would take into consideration the removal of the trees.

 

In response to questions from the Panel around the accuracy of the funding risk outlined in the report (appendix 7, page 222) and how comfortable were the Council in moving the project forward; Richard Hollinson advised that all projects with a larger timescale for delivery had an allowance for risks and contingency. All the schemes had been subject to levels of value engineering but Richard advised there was a need to continue to review risk contingency and inflationary costs but there was a high level of confidence in the figures provided.

 

The Panel highlighted that the report referred to the projects being indicatively approved for over 75million and questioned at which point was is determine whether the project should be stopped and not cost a significant amount, or it had to be completed. Richard Hollinson, Head of Major Projects, responded to explain that the assurance framework was in place to progress the schemes to the Full Business Case and which point there was an expectation that the aspects necessary to complete the project, such as planning permission and procurement plans would be in place.

 

Responding to question from the Panel around Construction, Design and Management (CDM) regulations in relation to the proposed canopy, Richard Hollinson, advised that work had been undertaken with a nationally renowned architecture firm, and that there had been some early contractor involvement in some of the design work. Richard further expressed confidence that the canopy could be built and maintained in compliance with CDM regulations, and through further assessment of building and planning processes.

 

Responding to the Panels concerns around the risks of inflation and contracts, Richard Hollinson, advised that the contracts were through the Councils own contract procedure rules and there was also a standard NEC contract in place which covered all the general provisions that needed to be in place. Richard shared that Huddersfield bus station was a more complicated project and would need to be carefully considered in terms of a standard contract approach and that Dewsbury bus station ‘s contract would be determined by the WYCA. Richard further reassured the Panel that if using a 2-stage process would minimise risk that this would also be considered.

 

The Panel referred to the consultation process and highlighted that there were 133 respondents from Dewsbury and 274 from Huddersfield, which in comparison to the Kirklees population of around half a million people didn’t evidence the work that had been carried out to target a wider audience.

 

Richard Hollinson, responded in relation to the consultation responses and shared that they had tried to reach a wide audience and undertaken targeted consultation. Richard advised that the responses that had been received were helpful and informed the design of the projects and what was trying to be achieve.

 

In relation to increasing safety and accessibility, the Panel particularly welcomed the consideration given to different forms of lighting. The Panel also noted the security measures in place at Dewsbury bus station, (a customer service desk and in house security) and suggested that the same provisions be implemented across all the bus stations. The Panel also noted the focus on specific towns and suggested in order to increase network usage, smaller towns and areas needed to be considered.

 

In response, Richard Hollinson advised that other locations and connecting with central hubs was important and advised that work had been undertaken around the Local Transport Strategy and the Bus Service Improvement Plan to understand what a better bus network would look like. Richard further advised that there were currently no funding plans in place for other locations, but these would be considered as part of further transport investment.

 

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the update and thanked officers for their attendance and presentation. It was recommended that:

 

1.    Officers should seek to consult with non-bus users in relation to increasing bus patronage, a key priority of the schemes.

2.    There should be designated officers with accountability for the maintenance of green spaces around bus stations. These should be based locally or visit regularly and should be a point of contact in relation to maintenance.

3.    Accessibility and feeling safe should be a key consideration across all the schemes.

4.    There should be visible security stations/patrols inside the bus stations in relation to increasing safety.  

5.    The Council’s policy in relation to removing trees be followed.

6.    The wider connectivity of smaller towns and more rural areas should be considered to increase network usage.

7.    Regular review is undertaken in relation to the value engineering and the scope of the projects.