Roundhouse Way Transport Interchange (Part of NATS City Centre Package)

Roundhouse Way Transport Interchange (Part of NATS City Centre Package) 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 Total TOTAL COST Roundhouse Way Transport Interchange 0.5m 0.5m FUNDING CIL 0.05m 0.05m Growth Deal 0.45m 0.45m Executive Summary This scheme aims to provide a new high quality public transport interchange at Roundhouse Way in Cringleford. To achieve this, the scheme considered: the size and layout of the interchange facility as this should adequately accommodate the numbers of expected bus passengers and provide sufficient cover from the elements. the provision of adequate levels of seating. the need to ensure the facilities are as accessible as possible for vehicles and all users. the need for the facility to cater for buses, coaches, cycles and pedestrians. whether other facilities, such as refreshments, can be provided. The scheme forms a part of the wider Transport for Norwich delivery programme, designed as the transport delivery programme to deliver the agreed Joint Core Strategy for Greater Norwich. The scheme is considered as being of high value for money for the following reasons: It provides significant benefits to public transport users using bus services along the A11 corridor who are travelling to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Norwich Research Park (NRP) as this facility avoids the need for those public transport users to travel into the city centre and then back out again to these destinations, saving around 25 minutes per journey, which is a considerable saving. The scheme significantly increases the capacity of public transport services to the NNUH, UEA and NRP by doubling the number of buses that can serve these stops at any one time. The current facilities provide only a single bus stop on each side of the road, which can lead to the queuing of buses one behind another and subsequent blocking of the highway. The A11 corridor forms part of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit network in Norwich and is a key public transport corridor into Norwich served by longer distance buses from Watton, Wymondham, Attleborough and Hethersett. This is Page 1 of 16

also the main access route for scheduled and chartered coach services accessing Norwich from the south. The scheme provides improvements to cycle access to the NNUH, UEA and NRP through the provision of a segregated cycle path through the interchange avoiding the need for cyclists to navigate the busy roundabout off Newmarket Road. The scheme provides improvements to pedestrians by improving the crossing facilities between existing bus stops on opposite sides of the road. This scheme is located on a key transport corridor that links the city centre with the radial routes out to the south- west of Norwich where significant growth is already underway and is committed in the future. Significant levels of growth are planned at key housing and employment sites in Cringleford, Hethersett and Wymondham, as well as further afield at Thetford. Together, these are already planned to provide at least 4,400 new dwellings. Improved bus infrastructure and more efficient use of the public transport network will encourage new and existing residents to choose to use the bus or other sustainable modes. With a population of around 250,000 the urban area of Norwich is one of the largest in the East of England. It is a major regional centre for employment, tourism and culture and is the region s highest ranking retail centre. The area s economic strengths include specialisms in biotechnology, food processing, financial services and creative industries. The city has excellent education facilities including the UEA, Norwich University College of the Arts, City College and Easton College. Norwich has been identified as a main focus for growth in the East of England; for new homes and jobs, leisure, cultural and educational development. Within Norwich City some 8,000 jobs, 3,300 houses and 20,000sq m retail floor space are planned up to 2026. More widely, across the Greater Norwich area, the core strategy plans for some 37,000 homes and 27,000 jobs. Page 2 of 16

Summary of the Business Case Strategic Case This scheme has a good fit with strategic policies and plans, in particular being part of the agreed Transport for Norwich delivery plan. Economic Case The scheme is considered as being of high value for money as it: It provides significant benefits to public transport users using bus services along the A11 corridor who are travelling to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Norwich Research Park (NRP) as this facility avoids the need for those public transport users to travel into the city centre and then back out again to these destinations, saving around 25 minutes per journey, which is a considerable saving. significantly increases the capacity of public transport services to the NNUH, UEA and NRP by doubling the number of buses that can serve these stops at any one time. The current facilities provide only a single bus stop on each side of the road, which can lead to the queuing of buses one behind another and subsequent blocking of the highway. is located on the A11 corridor, which forms part of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit network in Norwich and is a key public transport corridor into Norwich served by longer distance buses from Watton, Wymondham, Attleborough and Hethersett. This is also the main access route for scheduled and chartered coach services accessing Norwich from the south. provides improvements to cycle access to the NNUH, UEA and NRP through the provision of a segregated cycle path through the interchange avoiding the need for cyclists to navigate the busy roundabout off Newmarket Road. provides improvements to pedestrians by improving the crossing facilities between existing bus stops on opposite sides of the road. Commercial Case There is a good prospect of successful delivery given the timetable and that the measures will be delivered by Norfolk County Council as part of their established capital programme. Planning consent and a transfer of land is currently being sought. Financial Case There is a low financial risk to these measures. The 0.5m capital cost of the interchange will be met from the Growth Fund ( 0.45m) and local CIL contributions ( 0.5m). Deliverability This scheme is not constrained by the existing highway boundary and land acquisition is being progressed and is at an advanced stage. Traffic Regulation Page 3 of 16

Orders will be drawn up by Norfolk County Council / Norwich City Council. Regular discussions are underway with Tarmac regarding resource and budget planning. Page 4 of 16

Strategic Case Location / Scope of scheme Public transport access to the NNUH, UEA and NRP is predominantly based around bus routes serving these locations from Norwich city centre. Passengers wishing to travel to these locations from surrounding villages, including the A11 corridor, are currently required to take a bus into the city centre and then travel back out again. This adds both inconvenience and significant additional journey time of up to 25 minutes. There are currently three (3) bus services operated by First that go past the interchange site en-route to the N&N (and then on to the UEA and NRP). There are more than 10 bus routes operated by multiple bus operators that serve the A11 corridor. From discussions held with bus operators, First has agreed in writing to revise their network of bus services so that services are rerouted via the A11 to serve the new interchange. First has also committed to working with Norfolk County Council to ensure that high quality travel information is provided and that the benefits of the facility are maximised. The existing bus stop facilities at this location are poor. There is a single bus stopping location on each side of the road off the Newmarket Road junction. There is a bus stop flag on a pole at each stop but both stops lack raised kerbing to assist with boarding and alighting a bus, hard standing at the boarding/alighting locations for the buses and there is a poor level of printed travel information. There is no electronic travel information provided. A covered waiting shelter is only provided on the outbound stop on the north side of the road. For pedestrians, an uncontrolled crossing facility is provided. With regard to facilities for cyclists, there are no segregated cycle facilities and cyclists are required to join the carriageway near to the junction with Newmarket Road and cycle with general traffic. This scheme is located on a key transport corridor linking the city centre with the radial routes out to the south- west of the city where significant growth is already underway and is committed for the future. This corridor forms part of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit corridor into Norwich from the south- west along Newmarket Road. This scheme will significantly improve the public transport network opportunities for travel to the NNUH, UEA and NRP and includes improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. Description of the scheme The provision of a new transport interchange at Roundhouse Way will enable passengers travelling on longer distance bus services from key growth locations to alight at the new transport interchange and transfer to a frequent bus serving the N&N, UEA and NRP, avoiding the need to travel into the city and back out again. Typically, this will save up to 25 minutes per journey. Supported through the Page 5 of 16

provision of high quality and targeted marketing, this interchange will enable quicker and better informed journeys to be made to the N&N, UEA and NRP. Page 6 of 16

Figure 1: Location Plan Page 7 of 16

Fit with national plans, policies and programmes The project is aimed at bringing forward growth in the Norwich area by improving connectivity, reducing congestion and improving conditions for sustainable transport options. In particular, this will help to achieve government aims in Achieving Strong and Sustainable Economic Growth (April 2013) and the objectives set out in Improving Local Transport (October 2012). Fit with Strategic Economic Plan Norwich is included as a growth area within the New Anglia Strategic Economic Plan. The proposal supports the SEP objectives by assisting to bring forward the housing and jobs growth within the area. Fit with Local Transport Plan The project supports the key Norfolk Local Transport Plan policy objectives of achieving sustainable growth, getting the most out of the transport network and improving travel choice and accessibility. The scheme is part of the adopted Norwich Area Transportation Strategy (NATS) and the NATS Implementation Plan (NATSIP), which form the more detailed delivery plans of the LTP within Greater Norwich. Fit with Core Strategies The need for this project has been identified through two linked spatial planning documents that have been jointly produced by the City and County Councils under the auspices of the Greater Norwich Development Partnership: Norwich Area Transportation Strategy Implementation Plan now Transport for Norwich (TfN). Joint Core Strategy (for Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk). TfN is an overarching programme of strategic works to improve accessibility by all modes of transport around the city, encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport, such as public transport, cycling and walking, and capacity enhancement of the strategic road network. Staged implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network has started across Norwich with improvements being made along Newmarket Road on which this transport interchange is located. The objectives of the scheme are enshrined within those of TfN, to create high quality bus infrastructure to support growth and encourage increased levels of sustainable transport. Links with wider programmes The scheme complements the wider TfN programme, see above. Identification in previous technical studies programmes Page 8 of 16

See above. Public engagement Public consultation for the scheme is set to take place during 2017/18. Strategic Case Summary Assessment Green: Proposal fits with the adopted strategies and plans Page 9 of 16

Economic Case Benefit Cost Ratio / Value for Money Statement The scheme is considered as being of high value for money as it: provides significant benefits to public transport users using bus services along the A11 corridor who are travelling to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Norwich Research Park (NRP) as this facility avoids the need for those public transport users to travel into the city centre and then back out again to these destinations, saving around 25 minutes per journey, which is a considerable saving. significantly increases the capacity of public transport services to the NNUH, UEA and NRP by doubling the number of buses that can serve these stops at any one time. The current facilities provide only a single bus stop on each side of the road, which can lead to the queuing of buses one behind another and subsequent blocking of the highway. is located on the A11 corridor, which forms part of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit network in Norwich and is a key public transport corridor into Norwich served by longer distance buses from Watton, Wymondham, Attleborough and Hethersett. This is also the main access route for scheduled and chartered coach services accessing Norwich from the south. provides improvements to cycle access to the NNUH, UEA and NRP through the provision of a segregated cycle path through the interchange avoiding the need for cyclists to navigate the busy roundabout off Newmarket Road. provides improvements to pedestrians by improving the crossing facilities between existing bus stops on opposite sides of the road. Jobs and housing This scheme is located along a key transport corridor that links the city centre with radial routes out to the south west of the city along the A11 where significant growth is already underway and is committed in the future. Significant levels of growth are planned at key housing and employment sites in Cringleford, Hethersett and Wymondham. Together these are already planned to provide at least 4,400 new dwellings. Improved bus infrastructure and more efficient use of the Newmarket Road corridor should benefit all modes of transport but in particular could encourage more of the new residents to choose to use sustainable modes. With a population of around 250,000 the urban area of Norwich is one of the largest in the East of England. It is a major regional centre for employment, tourism and culture and is the region s highest ranking retail centre. The area s economic strengths include specialisms in biotechnology, food processing, financial services and creative industries. The city has excellent education facilities including the UEA, Norwich University College of the Arts, City College and Easton College. Norwich has been identified as a main focus for growth in the East of England; for new homes and jobs, leisure, cultural and educational development. Within Norwich City some 8,000 jobs, 3,300 houses and 20,000sq m retail floor space are planned up to 2026. More widely, across the Greater Norwich area, the core strategy plans for some 37,000 homes and 27,000 jobs. Page 10 of 16

Economic Case Summary Assessment Scheme is likely to be: Green: good value for money Page 11 of 16

Commercial case Governance Norfolk County Council will be responsible for delivering the scheme. The county council has extensive experience of designing and delivery of transportation schemes, particularly transport interchanges, and will use its established procedures to bring the measures forward to implementation. It is able to draw on its strategic partners, Tarmac for delivery. The projects will be brought forward under the Greater Norwich Growth Board umbrella which brings together partnership of all local authorities in the area, ensuring coordination, support and governance for the projects as they come forward. Project Plan 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 Total TOTAL COST Roundhouse Way Transport Interchange 0.5m 0.5m FUNDING CIL 0.05m 0.05m Growth Deal 0.45m 0.45m Commercial Case Summary Assessment Green: Good prospect of successful delivery given delivery body and timetable Page 12 of 16

Financial case Affordability The capital cost of the scheme is shown in the table above. This forms part of Transport for Norwich, the Norwich Area Transportation Strategy Implementation Plan. The scheme set out in this Business Case will be funded through Local Growth Fund, with a contribution from developer funding (CIL). Alternatives Various design options for the interchange were looked at as part of the project feasibility. Whole-Life Costs The major expected ongoing costs following construction will be maintenance of the infrastructure, which will be met from the county council s maintenance funding. Financial Case Summary Assessment Green: Scheme has low financial risk and appears affordable, with reliable committed funding Page 13 of 16

Deliverability All feasibility and design work is now completed. Public consultation will be undertaken 2018 as part of the planning application. Key programme dependencies and interfaces No key programme dependencies have been identified. Delivery timescale will be determined by the satisfactory resolution of the planning application and land transfer. It is currently programmed with our partner, Tarmac, to be constructed March-April 2018. Land This scheme not constrained by the existing highway boundary and land acquisition is being progressed and is at an advanced stage. Traffic Regulation Orders will be drawn up by Norfolk County Council / Norwich City Council. Regular discussions are underway with Tarmac regarding resource and budget planning. Statutory Powers/Consents See above related to land. Management Case Summary Assessment Green: Low risk to delivery overall Page 14 of 16

Appendix: WebTag Appraisal TAG A1-1 Cost Benefit Analysis A cost-benefit analysis has not been completed at this stage. However, the project is considered to be high value for money due to significant time savings for bus passengers, mode shift to buses for journeys to the NNUH, UEA and NRP, benefits for cyclists and pedestrians; and their contribution to the wider Transport for Norwich programme that has been identified as necessary to deliver the housing and jobs growth across the area. TAG A1-2 Scheme Costs The capital cost of the improvement is estimated to be 0.5m and will be met as shown in the table below The costs do not include routine and non-traffic related maintenance costs (eg drainage, street lighting, fencing, grass cutting, repainting lines etc). 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 Total TOTAL COST Roundhouse Way Transport Interchange 0.5m 0.5m FUNDING CIL 0.05m 0.05m Growth Fund 0.45m 0.45m TAG A1-3 User and Provider Impacts The improvement to bus access from the south west is likely to lead to an increase in bus travel. Any significant increase in bus travel from Wymondham, Hethersett and Attleborough could see a reduction in traffic through Thickthorn junction with associated congestion benefits. TAG A2.1 Wider Impacts The measures form part of the wider Transport for Norwich implementation plan, which has been designed to support growth in the Norwich area. TAG A2.2 Regeneration Impacts No significant regeneration impacts have been identified at this stage. TAG A2.3 Dependent Development No development is dependent on the scheme. TAG A3 Environmental Impact Appraisal Page 15 of 16

The scheme is likely to lead to an increase in sustainable modes of transport (public transport in particular) and therefore expected to have benefits in the form of reducing noise and greenhouse gas emissions, and lead to an improvement in air quality. These benefits have not yet been assessed. TAG A4.1 Social Impact Appraisal Provision of improved facilities for public transport users, pedestrians and cyclists is likely to lead to a reduction of accidents and increased physical activity. Generally, the reduction in traffic queueing and congestion will be positive with regards air quality. TAG A4.2 Distributional Impact Appraisal The benefits are likely to particularly apply to residents and businesses accessing the NNUH, UEA and NRP via the A11 corridor. Page 16 of 16