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Report to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation Report submitted by: Executive Director of Environment Part I- Item No. 3 Electoral Division affected: Accrington West East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership Accrington Bus and Rail Interchange (Appendix ‘A’ refers) Contact for further information: Richard Watts, 01772 534582, Environment Directorate [email protected] Executive Summary The report details the progress that has been made with the development of the rail station improvements as part of the proposed Accrington Bus and Rail Interchange. The report outlines proposals for an innovative new station building and learning centre using the most sustainable building and operating techniques available. Artist’s impressions of the new station building are attached at Appendix ‘A’. Approval is sought for a further contribution of £180,000 towards the project in order to complete the design work, undertake the enabling and site preparation works and complete the funding package to the European Union for an Interreg grant. Recommendation That approval be given to a make a further contribution of £180,000 towards the project in order to complete the design work, undertake the enabling and site preparation works and complete the funding package to the European Union for an Interreg grant, to be met from the allocation in the 2008/09 Transport Capital programme for Public Transport Rail Schemes. Background The development of a new bus and rail interchange at Accrington has been identified as a key public transport scheme in the Local Transport Plan and work is underway to develop a new bus station to serve the town. At the same time the project is also looking at how the railway station can be improved through better links to the town and to the proposed new bus interchange. A key feature of the station project is the construction of a new station building and learning centre on the land acquired by the County Council from the British Rail -2Board (Residuary) Limited. In order to progress the design of the new station approval was given on 2 May 2007 by the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development to commission design work. This work is on-going and the following details the current scope of the project of which the key features are as follows: 1. To develop a new ‘Eco Station’ building on the Eagle Street site to demonstrate the application of sustainable building and operating techniques in a high profile public environment. This will include the use of recycled materials, renewable energy technology, sustainable utility provision, passive heat and lighting technologies. The design is based on the principles set out in the ‘Eco Stations’ report jointly produced by the County Council and Northern Rail and published last year. 2. The station will have a new 40 space car park including disabled and parent friendly spaces; cycle parking comprising 10 secure lockers and 10 hoops; improved links to the town centre and local bus services; drop off and pick up point for taxis; improved passenger security through longer opening hours for the booking office and provision of additional CCTV cameras and links to the new supermarket development proposed for the site adjacent to the new station. 3. The existing station building will be demolished and the site opened up to provide better access onto the Colne platform and to improve natural surveillance and security. 4. The new station building will use the following sustainable techniques for the construction and operation of the building: Power: it is estimated that up to 10% of the power requirement of the building can be provided through the provision of a suitably located wind turbine. The additional power requirement will be provided by a green supplier; Hot water: all the hot water required in the building will be provided by a solar water heater; Rainwater harvesting will be used to provide water for the toilets with the water tank located under the building; Through the design, insulation, and use of materials it is expected to maintain an even temperature in the building throughout the year and eliminate the need for artificial cooling in summer or excessive heating in the winter. The target is to significantly reduce C02 emissions over the lifetime of the building; All timber will be sourced from supplies accredited by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or equivalent; A south facing glazed façade for greater natural light penetration with sufficient overhang on the roof to reduce the possibility of the building overheating; Use of recycled material for the roof, external paving, pavers, kerbs and the floor slab; Use of low energy light fittings throughout the building. -3 Through the design ensure that the building is future proofed to cope with the effects of climate change such as rising temperatures and heavy rainfall. The building is being assessed through the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and it is hoped to achieve an outstanding rating. BREEAM is the world’s longest standing and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable development and demonstrates a level of achievement. 5. A community learning facility will be provided in the basement of the building and will be accessed separately from the booking office. This will form a base for the educational use of the building by schools and colleges and will be operated initially by the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership. In addition, through the Interreg application it is proposed to establish a web based network to allow on site research and to share good practice across member states in the European Union. 6. The project is committed to the introduction of public art at various locations around the site. These will be determined as details of the adjacent supermarket development become known, links with local schools are developed and once the detailed design work is completed. 7. The platform facilities will be improved with new Macemain 5 bay anti-vandal shelters including perch seating; new platform seats; new fencing; CCTV; improved signage; upgrading of the ramp to the Colne platform; the refurbishment of the footbridge and demolition of the existing booking office/waiting room and the landscaping of this area In order to complete the design work and to secure the approvals required from Network Rail, it is proposed that an allocation of £50,000 is made out of the allocation for rail schemes in the Transport Capital programme 2008/09. Planning permission Planning permission for the project was obtained on the 4 July 2007. However, one of the conditions required that “The scheme and programme shall provide for the lighting to the car park to be powered from renewable energy generated on the proposed site”. To achieve this requirement would require a minimum of two large wind turbines and it was felt by the Project Team that these would be inappropriate in an urban environment and on a site adjacent to a conservation area. In consultation with the County Council’s Planning Team an alternative strategy was discussed and this has formed the basis of a revised planning application and the determination of this revised application is expected on the 22 May 2008. Programme The current programme for the project would see works starting on site during the autumn subject to the funding package and all approvals being in place. Discussions are currently taking place with the design team to see how best to programme the works and this will form the basis of a future report. -4- Funding The capital cost of the works described above is estimated to be £2,000,000 including the enabling works, further design work and fees. To meet this cost a number of contributions are being discussed as follows: a. Network Rail Network Rail is considering a contribution of £350,000 towards the project from the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP). The NSIP funding should only be available from April 2009 but the Department for Transport (DfT) wants to progress some ‘quick wins’ and as this project is now well advanced, wants to use it as a national demonstration of what can be achieved through NSIP. b. Access for All The DfT has awarded the County Council a grant of £150,000 towards this project out of its Access for All Small Schemes programme. This is in recognition of the significant improvements being made for mobility impaired and disabled passengers through the project including the new booking office, Disability Discrimination Act compliant toilet, improved information systems and automatic doors. c. Planning contribution through a Section 106 Agreement Discussions are taking place with Hyndburn Borough Council over the development of the adjacent site for a new supermarket. Provisionally the Borough Council is supportive of an agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act as a contribution from this development towards the new station but no sum has been formally agreed to date. d. European Union The European Union recently launched the Interreg IV programme. This covers a range of initiatives including innovation, the knowledge economy and environmental issues and has a close fit with the Accrington station project. The programme runs to 2013 and a bid is being developed that if successful would provide up to £1m towards the capital and revenue costs of the project. The lead city for this bid is Utrecht with the other partners being Lille and Stuttgart. It is expected that the bid will be submitted in late August/early September with the outcome known by October. In total the above contributions could amount to £1.5m leaving a funding gap of about £500,000. Part of this would be met by the allocation of £180,000 proposed from the Transport Capital programme detailed in this report and discussions are ongoing with other potential funders and Hyndburn Borough Council over a Section 106 contribution. -5- Next steps Significant progress has been made with the project and it is anticipated that Planning Permission and Network Rail technical approval will be obtained by June. If this is achieved then it will be possible for the works to be tendered and on site during October/November subject to the outcome of the Interreg application which is expected to be known by October. However, in order to prepare the site there are two packages of enabling works that are required as follows: Car park: as referred to above the land acquired by the County Council is currently leased by Hyndburn Borough Council who use it as a car park. The Borough Council has given notice to end its tenancy and this will conclude on 15th June 2008. From that date it is proposed that the car park site will be secured so that enabling work for the station project can take place prior to the main works commencing in the autumn. A small package of works is being developed to secure the car park site and is estimated to cost £10,000. Site preparation works: In order to prepare the site for the main works some enabling and preparation works are required. In particular, an ecological survey of the site has revealed the presence of infestations of Japanese Knotweed. In order for the building works to take place it is necessary to remove these infestations in a controlled manner and to the standards required by the Environment Agency as laid down in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Duty of Care) Regulations. This is now the ideal time to undertake the removal of this weed prior to the main growing season and any works on site which might stimulate its spreading to new locations which is contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside act (1981). The cost of these works is estimated to be £120,000. Discussions are currently taking place with Northern Rail on the way in which the new station will be managed and operated and a future report will set out these proposals in more detail. In addition, the report will also detail the developments regarding the funding package and proposed programme for the main works. Consultations Consultations have taken place with the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership, Hyndburn Borough Council, Network Rail and Northern Rail. Advice As per the recommendation for the reasons set out in the report now presented. Alternative options to be considered N/A. -6- Implications: e.g. Financial, Legal, Personnel, Human Rights, Crime and Disorder or Other This item has the following implications, as indicated: Financial That an allocation of £180,000 could be made from the allocation for Rail Schemes in the Transport Capital programme for the 2008/09 financial year. Any representations made to the Cabinet Member prior to the issue being considered in accordance with the Public Notice of Forward Plans Name: Organisation: Comments: N/A. Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 List of Background Papers Paper Date Contact/Directorate/Ext Reports to Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation 3 November 2003 and 2 March 2004 Jane Carrigan/ Environment/34374 Reports to Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development 8 February 2007 and 2 May 2007 ‘Eco Stations’ 21 February, 2007 Presentation to Cabinet 19 November, 2007 Committee on Climate Change Reason for inclusion in Part II, if appropriate N/A. Richard Watts/ Environment/34582 -7- Decision Taken: Declarations Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership Accrington Bus and Rail Interchange This item has been cleared by the: County Secretary and Solicitor : Finance Group Yes Yes Original recommendation, as set out in the report, approved without amendment. Yes Original recommendation amended and decision as follows: No I have a personal/prejudicial interest in this matter. No If an interest is declared please give details below: Matthew Tomlinson Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation 12 May 2008 Chief Officer I certify that this is an appropriate and accurate record within the terms of Standing Order 62(3) and (5) of the Graham Harding decision taken by the Cabinet Executive Director of Environment Member. 12 May 2008 *Delete as appropriate