Name of meeting QTP Executive Board Date and time Tuesday 10 March 2015 at 10:30 Venue Present Upstairs Conference Room, Seaclose Offices, Fairlee Road, Newport David Rogers (DR) Chair; Morris Barton (MB) Chamber of Commerce (CC); David Bottom (DB); Elwyn Dop (ED) Wightlink; Matt Kitchin (MK) Southern Vectis (SV); Hugh McMullen (HM) Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA); Ian Chennell (IC) Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA); Chris Wells (CW) Isle of Wight Council (IWC); Andrew Wilson (AW) Solent Transport (ST); Emma Brown (EB) Isle of Wight Council (IWC) (minute taker) 1 Apologies Bobby Lock (BL) Community Rail Partnership (CRP); Steve Porter (SP) Transport Group; Cllr Shirley Smart (SS); Hugh Walding (HW) Friends of the Earth (FOE) 2 Welcome and introductions Chris introduced HM and IC from DVSA and AW from ST and welcomed MB back to the meeting after a period of ill-health. Minutes of last meeting QTP Users Group, Chamber SIG and QTP Executive Board meetings have been rearranged so that they take place concurrently throughout the year. Action: EB to check that DB is on the email distribution list. 3 Items raised by QTP Users Group Island Line SWT had just finished a project to a stabilise a section of the cutting at the Sandown end of the line and have put in place a permanent solution after the embankment slipped during the exceptionally wet winter of 2013/14. Costing over 2m this was seen as positive investment in the route, but questions existed over the longer term future of the line itself. CW said the MP supported by transport expert Nicholas Finney has approached the government to help establish an independent Transport Task Force which will look at the future of Island Line, internal transport and cross- Solent links. CW and SS met with DfT at the end of a ST meeting a few weeks ago and the idea of a establishing a task force was discussed. Island Line currently use 1938 underground rolling stock, it carries under 1 million passengers per year over 8 miles but there are issues with Ryde pier and the tunnel. The Government has said if it was to ensure that the tunnel 1
doesn t flood and the pier and embankments are sound, whether a local consortium would run the franchise. IWC doesn t have the money or capacity to run the line or the financial safety net if problems occur but it is happy to take part in discussions with government and others. IW Steam Railway runs Victorian and heritage rolling stock and is keen to achieve connectivity with Ryde but don t have the capacity or funds to run the whole line. DR said that a tramway group is keen to get involved in discussions. It is understood that Andrew Turner MP is supporting the use of converted D78 stock is London Overground stock however this is 90cm taller raising concerns as to whether it will fit through the tunnel in terms of silhouette and length which is an issue with regards to tight curves, particularly those in the tunnel. DR has asked local rail expert John Yunnie to look at the proposal and suggested organising a meeting with all interested parties to discuss. Buses Sandhopper buses will be running again in Sandown this summer. There are big changes to SV number 1 service from Newport to Cowes, a doubling of the frequency of the number 8 from Newport to Sandown in the peak summer season and a change to route 37 which will now serve Shackleton House, the new health clinic in Ryde. General This morning s QTP meeting clashes with the Local Sustainability Forum. 4 Items from Chamber Strategic Infrastructure Group (SIG) Neil Chapman, MD of Hovertravel, is keen to get better connectivity between transport services at Ryde, especially between train and Hovercraft. A Government report has been published which contains recommendations regarding what happens when lorries arrive at ports. DR said that when SWT finish engineering works on 20 March, he was concerned that the train won t meet the last boat. 5 Updates Post meeting note: The train times have subsequently been adjusted to meet the last ferry Solent Transport AW explained that Solent Transport (ST) was formerly Transport for South Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (TfSHIOW) and is a joint committee comprising, Portsmouth, Southampton, Hampshire and Isle of Wight highway authorities. Making a sub-region rather than 4 individual highway authorities, ST works with Network Rail, DfT, SLEP and the operators to represent the area, 2
improve local transport and bid for funding through LSTF and from SLEP. The work of ST is supported by AW and Phil Marshall, who spend time in each of the constituent authorities. A few weeks ago the regional manager of the Highways Agency who is responsible for the M27 gave a presentation following the announcement in the Chancellor s autumn statement that 400-800m will be awarded to Highways Agency in this area for Smarter Motorways project. This will result in capacity improvements, variable speed limits, hard shoulder running, which will involve strengthening the hard shoulder on M27 and M3, additional lanes between Eastleigh and Winchester and wok to improve the bottom of M27 to improve access to docks and improve traffic flow from the motorway into Southampton. The Highways Agency has been given a wider brief and will be looking at the wider impacts on the non-strategic road network as part of the project. There is a long timescale on this project up to 2021. Sam McCarthy, from South West Trains also gave a presentation about Network Rail s consultation on the Wessex Route Study which closed on 18 February 2015. Network Rail is looking to speed up journey times from Southampton and Portsmouth to London and will include work at Basingstoke and Reading. ST would like Network Rail to look at improving connectivity between Portsmouth and Southampton, with more trains and faster connections between the two cities. However, nothing relating to Island Line was included in the Study. CW has met with Sam McCarthy and Phil Dominey about Island Line and said the route making it clear that the route shouldn t be seen as completely disconnected from, and should be included as, part of the national network. Sub-regional transport model (SRTM) is a very detailed public transport, economic impact, highways model which is owned by ST and developed in 2010 and has brought in funding to the sub-region. It will be used extensively over the next few months to test the proposed Highways Agency work on the M27 and will look at impact of congestion. The SRTM base year is 2010 and it will be updated this year to ensure it is compliant and remains one of the best transport models in the country. The IW wasn t included at a detailed level in 2010, but is now. As the IW joined later, its information is most up-to-date and the Island has benefitted enormously from being included. CW explained that the model includes cross-solent ferry links and numbers of vehicles using the ferries as well. The model is available to all local authorities; the Highways Agency and ST also carry out commissions for housing developers and the private sector. CW said the SRTM has brought in between 30-40m to the sub-region. The SRTM is a strategic model and doesn t look at individual junctions. ST is working closely with Solent LEP, particularly in terms of sustainable transport, and will be working with South Hampshire Bus Operators Association (SHBOA) who has appointed the well-respected Richard Soper, former managing director of First Group. The Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) comprises all the planning authorities in the Solent area and they are carrying out a spatial strategy review to see where an additional 50,000 houses will go between 2026 and 2036. 3
MB asked if Island Roads (IR) uses the model for its work programme and CW replied that IR uses its own model as their requirements are slightly different. CW said that IR will be upgrading all the Island s roads over the next 7 years or they may have to pay a penalty. MB said that the IWC should be telling IR which roads need upgrading first rather than the other way around. CW and SS met with the Highways Agency after that last ST meeting asking that HA consider the implications on people travelling to and from the IW. HA will now use interactive signage providing information to those coming to and leaving the island regarding potential hold-ups and diversions on the mainland. The issue was raised of ferry operators providing travel information and DR asked if public transport could be included. IW weren t part of Solent Transport LSTF and mainland authorities have used LSTF funding for Real Time Information (RTI), next stop announcements and Wi-Fi on buses. RTI is being rolled out over a fleet of 600 buses, including audio and visual announcements, and it is important for Island to get on that bandwagon. Solent Go smartcard ticket was also delivered through LSTF funding and Gosport and Hythe ferries are on board with that too. ED said the first machine is being delivered this week so it is in process of coming to the Island as well. CW said that Hovertravel are leading the vanguard and Red Funnel isn t too far behind. Solent Go smartcard is only available on mainland buses at the moment but MK looking at an add-in for the Island. DR said that you can only use the card on hovercraft if a crew member is present. SLEP delivery and future funding opportunities Solent Local Enterprise partnership (SLEP) is the Government agency for delivering economic growth across the region. The LEP is looking to fund larger transformational transport schemes with the result that the Island struggles to achieve funding for local sustainable transport schemes. It is recognised that the Solent Gateways (East Cowes) project will improve cross-solent connectivity, but it is nevertheless disappointing having given up part of our Integrated Transport Fund to fund the LEPs that we aren t able to achieve support from the SLEP for smaller local schemes. CW and SS have spoken to Stuart Baker (SLEP - Head of local growth) and explained that we were disadvantaged within the region and are now disadvantaged through the SLEP. There are lots of good walking and cycling schemes which are too small to qualify. This point was made by SS to SLEP and DfT at and after the recent ST meeting. AW said that SLEP are concentrating on larger schemes which will deliver instant growth and a recent Solent Transport Fund bid to the LEP for walking, cycling and public transport improvements was turned down. DR said that IWC has cut money for community bus services and the same has happened in Hampshire and elsewhere. DR asked if there any money available from SLEP to sustain these services? AW said that he thinks that SLEP would say they are not there to subsidise these local authority roles. MB said that being included in the South East region disadvantages the IW. 4
The Transport Task Force still has to be established but it is hoped that the Government will provide a chair and have promised some money. CW and SS met with Maureen Pullen from DfT to consider the Transport Task Force, and she encouraged the Island to sit down with the SLEP and negotiate to get money from them. It is recognised locally that the M3 LEP has taken a different approach to funding local sustainable transport and we need to encourage SLEP to do the same thing. AW said that DfT are running a competition inviting bids from bus operators and local authorities for ultra-low emission buses. This will be led by the bus operators and Go Ahead group has been working with Southampton City Council on flywheel technology and the bid will open in September 2015. The fund will make up the difference in price between a standard Euro 6 bus and a bus with advanced technology. CW asked if that is open for rural as well as urban authorities and IC said it is open to all. MK said that several flywheel vehicles have gone into service and fuel consumption needs to be looked at. Cross-Solent Gateways project This project will improve connection between Southampton and Cowes. Developers looking to start a waterfront project at Southampton which will mean the relocation of Red Funnel to an adjacent dock gate. Moving the marshalling facilities at East Cowes will help improve access, reduce hold ups and congestion, support economic regeneration and give the town its town centre back.. Red Funnel is in discussion with Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) who own some of the land. It is recognised that consultation will be key to ensure that everyone has a say through the design process and as part of the planning application process. The idea is to separate traffic going to floating bridge from ferry traffic and use the money achieved to improve the public realm, highway improvements and opportunities to walk and cycle. It is also hoped to use part of the funding to replace the floating bridge CW said if successful the bid will bring 7.5m to East Cowes. DB said it is a very good scheme but MB said he and the Town Council have some reservations. Consultation with key stakeholders, including East Cowes Town Council was scheduled for Tuesday 24 March. Local Sustainable Transport Fund LSTF1 LSTF1 project will finish on 31 March 2015 and Will Ainslie, the project manager, has just a few more weeks to finalise his work. Walking and cycling route on the eastern side of the River Medina between Newport and Island Harbour has recently been completed and members of the public have contact to say how much better the route is. It is hoped that we can upgrade the next stretch from Island Harbour to East Cowes. Cycle counters have been installed at locations across the Island through LSTF project to monitor usage and there has been a significant increase especially on the Wroxall to Shanklin route which has been used by 36,000 people since June 2014. It wasn t possible to upgrade the route between Wootton and Newport due to land ownership issues. 5
Introducing Real Time Information (RTI) was part of the original LSTF project but it wasn t possible to progress it within the timescale. Smartphone technology means that information from the bus can be transmitted to a central hub. MK said that SV will be providing a feed to Red Funnel so that their craft can give information on next departures but could also provide a feed to anyone who wants it. SV will be providing a feed to Traveline and when the move takes place to Traveline South West, it will be even better. AW said that means that RTI information will be available for anyone with a smartphone using the Traveline app. If money is available in future that can be used for signs in bus shelters and ferry terminals. CW had been involved in discussions over the Hard Interchange and had asked if we can have a RTI feed in the new terminal area. DR said it would be useful if it could be on the screens on the catamarans. ED said that Wightlink wouldn t be looking to use Hogia as they are Red Funnel s reservation provider, but could look at using SV s feed. AW gave the web address www.nextbuses.mobi LSTF1 provided 20k to convert a number of buses to carry bicycles and they run in the summer months. Passenger numbers increased on these routes by 400% in the first year and 200% in the second year. This season will be provided completely commercially, operating 4 vehicles at peak and one vehicle in the shoulders of the season. MK said that they still haven t had dispensation from DfT for these buses but have lobbied Graham Pendleton at DfT who has promised to follow it up. Red Funnel obtained some bike racks through the LSTF project but weren t able to use them on the red Jets. They were offered to SV for the use on the front of buses but they turned them down as there is a question over insurance and the thought that loading and unloading will slow journeys down considerably. LSTF2 LSTF2 will be delivered in partnership with those who deliver the services rather than by a single officer. It will look to improve travel to work, school and for visitors. IWC are working in partnership with Chamber of Commerce (businesses), DMO (visitors) and Education providers (schools). LSTF2 starts on 1 April 2015 and runs for one year. A lot of meetings have taken place so far to be able to hit the ground running at the start of the project. Not everyone LA which submitted a bid for LSTF2 was successful. Island Roads IR chose not to carry out work over the winter so work will start at the end of March 2015 and they have recently published a list of roads that will be upgraded this year. This will be the first year they have had the asphalt plant running full time so we should see a big improvement on the amount and quality of work. More Highways staff were transferred to Island Roads than originally planned, leaving a small PFI contract team, road safety team and CW within the IWC. Consultants Atkins has been appointed to help support the delivery 6
of the project and ensure effective delivery. MK was concerned that buses were being affected by road closures. Buses had recently been diverted while the Newport to Ryde road was closed at Quarr but it had left a large area of Wootton without a bus service. SV are getting a lot of requests for a shuttle bus services in those situations and are asking that people speak directly to IR. It was felt that shuttle buses should be factored in from the start of any road closure rather than several weeks in. Sometimes the first that residents know about a road closure is when SV post information about changes to the bus services. CW said that IR does leaflet properties regarding road works but DR felt that they are often very late notice, sometimes only 2 days before. MB said there is a large breakdown in communication he felt that IR are responding very late in the day to planning applications and had raised the issue with some Cabinet Members MK said communications between IR and SV has never been better but he felt that communications between IR, residents and other road users is poor. It was hoped to establish a formal Bus Punctuality Improvement Partnership (BPIP) to include IWC, IR and SV. Suggested by SV a BPIP wound provide a framework through which the three parties would meet regularly to ensure good communication links and that local bus services are maintained as far as possible during road works. IW Council update in light of budget cuts CW explained that IWC is facing ongoing budget cuts - 14m in 2015/16 and 8m in 2016/17. The IWC is looking to protect education, children s and adult services, with the result that there will have to be cuts elsewhere in the council. The cuts will affect the Enforcement team, Planning Officer staff and we are liable to lose a large part of the Planning Policy team. Some staff have already left and IWC will continue to provide a service as best as it can. MB said if that was the case there is no point in the IWC being a Unitary Authority any more. DB said the economic effect on infrastructure and development will be frightening. MB said there are implications on planning applications as they are subject to statutory timetables and he raised concerns about planning applications on large sites. CW said that the IWC may choose to bring in consultants to provide support on large applications, as has happened in the past with applications for Asda and Tesco. It is also possible to support the application process by entering into agreement with the council through a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) DR said that CW has received more and more work over the years and does a good job in trying to get everything done. MB said that he appreciates the work that is done by officers. DR was concerned that IWC was looking to cut its support for buses and would soon only be supporting services it was legally required to do. MK is talking to Stewart Chandler regarding how the network will look after the cuts 7
but said that not every community will have a bus service this time next year. 6 Cross-Solent ferry / fixed link issues CW said a pro-fixed link and anti-link Facebook groups were now active and was due to give a presentation on the subject at a meeting of Town and Parish Councils. In hois research for the talk he had already found out that there were plans for 2 tunnels around the turn of the last century, and a start was made on digging a tunnel at Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater. ED said that from 30 March Wightlink will be running a much better frequency of service in the evenings and a request to run a later catamaran from Portsmouth Harbour has been taken into account and will now run at 2245 which links with the train 2315. The East Wight customer forum will be held tonight at Fishbourne. CW asked about implications of buyout by BBIP. ED said that Macquarrie had invested 75m during their ownership. He was not anticipating any change of management and that investment will continue. CW asked if the sale would increase the debt burden. ED was clear that the Wightlink fare structure has kept pace with inflation or below so there shouldn t be any increases. 7 Topics for Future Discussion CW asked if HM and IC found the subject of the meeting interesting. HM said yes and offered support in the BPIP. IC said that the traffic commissioner should be notified of any bus route alterations and MK said they are. HM asked how the change between bunker fuel to white diesel has affected ferry operators. ED said it only affects the Fishbourne to Portsmouth route but Wightlink has been working on it for 2 years and had put plans in place to avoid price hikes. 8 Next Meeting Tuesday 14 July 2015 at 10:30 in the Upstairs Conference Room, Seaclose Offices, Fairlee Road, Newport. Note Details of the Island Transport Plan, LSTF, Solent Transport and QTP, including agendas and minutes, can be found by clicking here. 8