Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

 

“Relevant Background Information

 

      Rapid Transit Study

 

      The Department for Regional Development (DRD) published details of the Belfast Rapid Transit study and presented a summary of the study to the Development Committee in April 2008. The study carried out further analysis of possible route options and the most appropriate type of technology for the development of the system. There is currently a six week consultation period to respond to the study.

 

      Residents Parking Consultation

 

      The Department for Regional Development previously published a Draft Policy Residents Parking Schemes Consultation document to which the Council responded in February 2007. The Council response whilst welcoming the introduction of this scheme, where it secured the support for a majority of the residents, raised serious concerns over the charging for residential parking schemes in Northern Ireland.

 

      Free Travel for People Aged 60-64

 

      The policy consultation sets out proposals to extend the concessionary fares scheme to include people aged 60–64. Currently free travel is available to people aged 65 and over, those registered as being blind and those in receipts of war disablement pension. Half fares are also available to a number of groups.

 

      Newtownards Road Planning Framework

 

      The Newtownards Road 2012 group as part of the action plan developed to support the regeneration of the area from Bridge End to Holywood Arches are seeking to develop a structure that will help harness the potential developments within the area and address the ongoing blight arising from the BMAP/ BMTP and infrastructure proposals.

 

Key Issues

 

      The Rapid Transit Study

 

      The DRD presentation to the previous Committee was based on a recent consultant study findings, published on the same day, into the rapid transit option for the city. Consideration of the detail contained in the Rapid Transit study and the DRD presentation identified a number of issues Committee may wish to consider as part of the draft response:

 

      General

 

-     The final form of technology (guided bus or light rail), capacity and the longer term potential in relation to the continued development of the city. The significant difference in Capital Cost Estimates, between Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT), set out in the Study is an important element of the Consultant’s recommendation of a bus based system. However, the basis for these cost comparisons are not clear in terms of whether the comparison is like for like and whether or not the system, as suggested can be upgraded at a later stage to tram or light rail. An important difference in the comparative costs for the systems relate to the degree of segregation from other traffic along the route with other variations for infrastructure or vehicle costs. It is not clear from the report whether or not the bus based system will utilise a greater proportion of shared roads space with other traffic. 

 

-     The quality offered by bus based rapid transit can vary considerably depending on both the specification of the vehicles and the associated infrastructure (stops, interchanges, ticketing and real time information systems). The level of specification for the quality service is not clear from the study.  The benchmark should be set to ensure the system selected for Belfast provides a viable attractive alternative to the car both in terms of service quality and journey time. The quality of provision must be clearly articulated and ensure that the provision includes high quality infrastructure incorporating real time information and full integration with re-aligned public transport provision in the form of an integrated system.

-     The proposals do not consider provision for the north and south of the city or address the potential relationships to existing provision within the corridors associated with the study options. The provision should be set within the longer term context of city wide transport and the objectives of securing a modal shift towards public transport. The Council as part of the BMAP processes advocated the development of clear transport corridor plans that provided the context for longer term planning on the basis of an integrated approach.

-     The BMTP and RTS outlined timetables for the progression of the different transport options and their implementation. The BMTP stated that commencement of a bus rapid transit network with the implementation of the Eway scheme in the Newtownards Corridor within the 2015 plan. Detailed planning of rapid transit schemes in three other corridors not served by rail infrastructure and/or to support major development was also outlined. As the progression of the EWAY, CITI Route and part of WWAY is now proposed how does this impact on the implementation of other transport initiatives?

-     The proposed routes suggest that the Rapid transit scheme will not be segregated from other traffic in major sections of the route particularly close to the city centre. It is not clear how the system will perform or deliver a modal shift  in these circumstances. In the absence of route segregation and priority over other city centre traffic it is not clear what frequency or speed can be achieved.

-     Significant development proposals such as those for Titanic Quarter offer the opportunity for both private sector contributions and the integration of provision into the design. Previous rapid transit schemes have

 

indicated the potential for attracting private sector investment is stronger in relation to light rail schemes rather than bus based – it is not clear to what extent the report has considered the potential for private sector contributions or investment. 

-     In relation to affordability and integration of the schemes it is not clear whether the calculations are based on existing transport fare structures or whether the proposed routes will be integrated within the existing public transport network.

 

      Specific

 

-     There are a number of route options presented in the report Executive Summary that Committee may wish to consider in detail including the potential alignments for the WWAY Rapid Transit scheme beyond the Royal Victoria Hospital; the proposal to divert EWAY and combine the access with Titanic Quarter and the potential to link George Best City Airport by a modern, fast, efficient and frequent public transport service.

-     The potential conflict between the EWAY proposal and the Comber Greenway.  Whilst the walkway and cycleway were introduced as temporary resources along the protected alignment they have become well utilised. The possibly to examine alternative routes such as the Newtownard Road has also been raised by Sustrans.  The EWAY rapid transit link will provide an important element of what could be a modern effective public transport system for the city.

-     The continued retention of the Bankmore link as part of the city centre transport solutions by DRD could affect the existing proposals and their future enhancement. The Council has highlighted serious concerns over the impact of the proposed of four lane road link from Cromac St to Sandy Row in relation to community severance, air quality and the adverse implications on the potential for the rapid transit connectivity to the South of the City and the university area. 

-     The report fails to identify detailed options in relation to the potential routes through the city centre and the level of priority that can be afforded to public transport initiatives. The connection through the city and the ability of the system to provide integrated through routes are critical both in relation to the existing proposal and any potential for a future upgrading of the system. The relationship with the city bus re-routing study and the potential to remove lay-over facilities from the City Hall/ Donegal Square area is a critical element of the study that is not clarified.

 

      Residents Parking

 

      DRD announced the five areas to carry out preliminary consultations on proposed resident’s parking schemes in Belfast as: Barrack Street, Donegall Pass, Sandy Row, The Markets (west of Cromac Streeet) and Brown’s Square.

 

      As part of the process DRD intend to conduct parking surveys, intial scheme design, carry out informal consultation with residents, finialisation of scheme designs and commencement of the necessary leglisative process . This process is expected to take up to 12 months to complete.

 

      DRD propose the introduction of Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ), an area where all on-street parking is controlled. This means that parking is only permitted in designated parking areas or bays and that the remainder of the kerbside space is subject to yellow line restrictions. Two measures are proposed:

 

Permit Only Parking Areas

 

These are normally shared surface areas where there are no footways. Only vehicles displaying a valid permit can park in these areas.

 

Mixed Use Areas

 

These are normally traditional streets with footways. Only vehicles displaying a valid permit or a valid pay and display ticket can park in theses areas.

 

      It is proposed that the scheme will operate between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Saturday. The proposed permit charge remains at £80 per year but is reduced to £40 in Neighbourhood Renewal Areas. All the areas proposed are designated as a Neighbourhood Renewal Areas and the Council welcomes this introduction of reduced costs within these areas. 

 

      The Council previously raised concerns in relation to the charges on inner city communities which already suffered from the negative effects and disruption associated with commuter traffic. This potential additional charge, although reduced, for the introduction of a system to address external factors beyond their control remains inequitable. 

 

      Free travel for people Aged 60-64

 

      A review of the Accessible Transport Strategy 2015 was carried out in December 2007 which stated that a review of the concessionary fare scheme would take place. The Council response welcomed initiatives to make public transport more accessible to the elderly.

 

      The recent consultation document outlined a range of options for the extension of the concessionary fare scheme. The extension of the scheme is currently limited by the availability of resources and the recommendation focuses on the 60-64 age group as an expansion of the existing provision.

 

      This change would increase the mobility options for a significant proportion of the city population utilising the existing public transport. It is therefore recommended that the proposal for the extension of the concessionary fares scheme to include people aged 60 to 64should be supported by the Council.

 

      Newtownards Road Planning Framework

 

      The Newtownards Road 2012 group developed a multi-faceted action plan to support the regeneration of the Inner East area from Bridge End to Holywood Arches. The plan outlines a range of actions and proposals from direct intervention in the public realm through to major public and private regeneration proposals.

 

      The part of the city to be covered by the proposal includes the sections of the identified arterial routes of Albertbridge Road and Newtownards Road and is likely to come under pressure for significant change as a result of major development proposals in or adjacent to the area of study – Titanic Quarter, Sirocco, Connsbank. The action plan developed by the group highlighted the need for a framework to provide a context for the public and private sector proposals for the area.

 

      The 2012 group are seeking to develop a structure that will help harness the potential developments and address the ongoing blight arising from the BMAP/ BMTP and infrastructure proposals through the development of a planning framework. The framework, which will also draw together the findings from the previous work in relation to the neighbourhood renewal, arterial routes and BMAP processes, has been estimated to cost £15,000.

 

      A request has been made for a contribution of £5,000 from the Council towards the cost of the Framework development. The support is being sought on the basis that the balance of the funding will be secured from a combination of public and private sector funding.

 

      The production of the framework offers the unique opportunity for the group to add to the specific thematic work already carried out in the area and address the opportunity to harness the potential for positive change. It is therefore suggested that Committee accede to the request from the Newtownards Road 2012 group for the provision of a £5,000 contribution towards the production of the Planning Framework.

 

Recommendations

 

      It is recommended that Committee:

 

-     Considers the draft response as the basis for a response to DRD Rapid Transit Study;

-     Notes the contents of the report in relation to Resident Parking proposal;

-     Supports the DRD proposal for the introduction of the concessionary fare scheme for the 60-64 age group; and

-     Endorses the recommendation for the provision of a £5,000 contribution towards the production of a Planning Framework for the Newtownards Road area by the 2012 group.

 

Key to Abbreviations

 

      DRD – Department for Regional Development

      CPZ - Controlled Parking Zones

      WWAY – West of city proposed rapid transit route

      EWAY – East of city proposed rapid transit route

      BMAP – Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan”

 

            During discussion in the matter, several Members expressed concern at the proposals contained within the proposed Residents Parking Scheme, pointing out that it would penalise residents for difficulties caused by commuters.

 

            In connection with the proposals to provide free travel for people aged 60-64, it was pointed out that, since the majority of the bus services concentrated on the arterial routes, a large number of elderly people were using taxis to travel to Doctors’ surgeries or shops which were located on other roads and they would not benefit from the concessionary fares scheme.  It was therefore suggested that Translink should improve the service which it provided on main roads other than the arterial routes.

 

            Following further discussion, it was

 

Moved by Councillor Humphrey,

Seconded by Councillor D. Dodds and

 

      Resolved – That the Committee respond to the Department for Regional Development indicating that, whilst it is supportive of schemes to prevent commuters from parking in residential areas, it is opposed to this particular scheme since it would adversely affect local residents.

 

            The Committee agreed also to:

 

(i)     support the proposal to introduce a concessionary fare scheme for the 60-64 age group;

 

(ii)    provide £5,000 towards the costs of the Newtownards Road 2012 Group producing a planning framework; and

 

(iii)   endorse the submission of the undernoted document as the Council’s response to the Department for Regional Development’s consultation on the Rapid Transit Study:

 

Belfast Rapid Transit Study:

Draft BelfastCity Council Response

 

      The Council welcomes the announcement from the Minister for Regional Development and the publication of the Belfast Rapid Transit Study. The Council has supported the initiation of work to progress the development of a rapid public transport system for the city and would welcome the proposals as the first step

towards a city-wide integrated network.

 

      Notwithstanding the general support for the development of public transport this Council response is based on the consideration of the published documents by the Department for Regional Development and the presentation to the Development Committee in April 2008. The response covers both general and specific issues in relation to the study and the wider context of public transport for Belfast.

 

General

 

·         The final form of technology (guided bus or light rail), capacity and the longer term potential in relation to the continued development of the city. The significant difference in Capital Cost Estimates, between Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT), set out in the Study is an important element of the Consultant’s recommendation of a bus based system. However, the basis for these cost comparisons are not clear in terms of whether the comparison is like for like and whether or not the system, as suggested can be upgraded at a later stage to tram or light rail. An important difference in the comparative costs for the systems relate to the degree of segregation from other traffic along the route with other variations for infrastructure or vehicle costs. The Council would request clarification on the basis on the costs and whether or not the bus based system will receive the equivalent degree of priority and separation to that anticipated for a LRT form of provision. Clarification is also requested in relation to the viability for the proposed BRT to be upgraded at a later stage, in terms of the potential additional costs and required space to achieve the required physical separation.

 

·         The quality offered by bus based rapid transit can vary considerably depending on both the specification of the vehicles and the associated travel time, infrastructure (stops, interchanges, ticketing and real time information systems).  The specification in terms of level of quality for the service is not clear from the study. The Council would request for a benchmark to be set to ensure the system selected for Belfast provides a viable attractive alternative to the car both in terms of service quality and journey time. The quality of provision including targets must be clearly articulated and ensure that the provision includes high quality infrastructure incorporating real time information and full integration with re-aligned public transport provision in the form of an integrated system. The Council would request further details of the specification on the level of service which is sought, including integration with other modes of public transport, and reassurance that a high quality of service is applied to any Rapid Transit System for Belfast.

 

·         The proposals do not consider provision for the north and south of the city or address the potential relationships to existing provision within the corridors associated with the study options. The Council have reservations in relation to the absence of proposals for the wider city or detailed consideration of the potential for an expanded system that builds on the initial proposals.

 

·         It is the Council’s view that the provision should be set within the longer term context of city wide transport and the objectives of securing a modal shift towards public transport. The Council as part of the BMAP inquiry processes advocated the development of clear transport corridor plans that provided the context for longer term planning on the basis of an integrated approach (See Attachment 1).  The Study should clearly consider the integration of proposed development, in particular housing and employment, with the proposed transport network and provide an indication of the relationship between the implementation of improvements to public transport infrastructure and other transport services or proposals such as the provision of new highway infrastructure such as the proposed A2 widening or Connsbank Link.

 

·         The BMTP and RTS outlined timetables for the progression of the different transport options and their implementation. The BMTP stated that commencement of a bus rapid transit network with the implementation of the Eway scheme in the Newtownards Corridor within the 2015 plan. Detailed planning of rapid transit schemes in three other corridors not served by rail infrastructure and/or to support major development was also outlined. As the progression of the EWAY, CITI Route and part of WWAY is now proposed the Council would request clarification of the implications of the proposed implementation on the development of the other transport initiatives identified for consideration, including the proposed timescales.

 

·         The proposed routes suggest that the Rapid Transit scheme will not be segregated from other traffic in major sections of the route particularly close to the city centre. It is not clear how the system will perform or deliver a modal shift if in these circumstances. The Council is concerned that in the absence of route segregation and priority over other city centre traffic it is not clear what frequency or speed can be achieved and how this will relate to the existing bus based public transport provision.

 

·         Significant development proposals such as those for Titanic Quarter offer the opportunity for both private sector contributions and the integration of provision into the design. Previous rapid transit schemes have indicated the potential for attracting private sector investment is stronger in relation to light rail schemes rather than bus based. Whilst the contextual documentation makes reference to the issue the Council would require clarification of the anticipated value or contribution from the private sector contributions or investment in relation to existing and proposed developments.

 

·         The Council request clarification in relation to the anticipated or projected affordability and integration of the schemes with existing transport.

 

Specific

 

      There are a number of route options presented in the Executive Summary for the study and the Council has a number of issues in relation to the detail of the proposed or potential alignments.

 

·         The WWAY Rapid Transit scheme beyond the Royal Victoria Hospital has a number of options identified with the alignment of along Falls Rd, Glen Rd and Springfield Rd with a range of terminus options including the routes recommended by the consultants with an endpoint of Glenmona. The further assessment of this connection and routing should in addition to the economic be evaluated in relation to the potential regenerative benefits the proposal could bring to the neighbourhood renewal areas through which it would pass.

 

·         The recommended proposal for EWAY is via a diversion into Titanic Quarter (Odyssey) and a shared link for both EWAY and the Titanic Quarter connection into the city centre. The alignment would follow the Ballymacarrett Walkway, Dee Street and Sydenham Road before joining the Titanic Quarter proposed link at the Odyssey. This represents a significant departure from the proposals in BMAP and does not serve or provide a significant proportion of the inner east population with a new connection to the centre, Titanic Quarter or the wider city. This proposal appears to utilise the existing Dee Street Bridge and would therefore be dependant on the construction of the Sydenham Interchange, Connsbank Link and potentially the Holywood Arches by-pass. As a counterpoint or balance to this significant departure from the previous alignment there does not appear to have been any consideration of the potential for other alignments that could have reduced the impact on the Holywood Rd / Newtownards Rd /Albertbridge Rd junction, such as an alignment directly linking Connswater as a link to Albertbridge Road. Clarification is required in relation to the relationship of the proposal to the development of new road infrastructure in the vicinity as the potentially causal relationship reflected in the study. The clarification should also include any funding interrelationships proposed between these potential projects.

 

·         The Council have received representations in relation to the potential conflict between the EWAY proposal and the Comber Greenway. Whilst the walkway and cycleway were introduced as temporary resources along the protected alignment they have become well utilised. The Council would request the development of the route seeks to ensure the minimisation of impacts on the existing environment to integrate the provision or retention of the existing facilities.

 

·         The continued retention of the Bankmore link as part of the city centre transport solutions by DRD could affect the existing proposals and their future enhancement. The Council has highlighted serious concerns over the impact of the proposed road link from Cromac St to Sandy Row in relation to community severance, air quality and the adverse implications on the potential for the rapid transit connectivity to the South of the City and the university area.

 

·         The Council is concerned that the report fails to identify detailed options in relation to the potential routes through the city centre and the level of priority that can be afforded to public transport initiatives. The connection through the city and the ability of the system to provide integrated through routes are critical both in relation to the existing proposal and any potential for a future upgrading of the system. The relationship with the city bus re-routing study and the potential to remove lay-over facilities from the City Hall/ Donegal Square area is a critical element of the study that is not clarified.”