Bus Rapid Transit - Your Questions Answered
This page has answers to many questions about the BRT scheme. They are arranged in seven sections.
Links on this page take you to the answers to the questions, which are all on this page. In other words, the links "jump" you to another place on this page, they do not go to a different page.
- Current or imminent BRT works
- Lighting, CCTV, and control over access to the busway
- Legal situation
- Wildlife protection
- Scheme details
- BRT wider scheme
- BRT background
Current or imminent BRT Works
Q What changes will be in place for bus services during the closure of Wych Lane?
Q What will the works on the A27 Redlands Lane junction involve?
Q When will Newgate Lane be moved back to its original location?
Q Where can I find out more about the scheme?
Q What construction work has been done so far on the BRT site?
Q What works are taking place on Palmerston Drive, and how long will the road be closed for?
Q What are your current plans for future construction work on the BRT scheme?
Q What is the next phase of works due on the BRT route?
Q What times of day will the BRT work be carried out?
Q Will there be any out-of-hours work on the BRT scheme?
Q Will the BRT construction works be noisy?
Q Will the tree removal have an impact on the traffic?
Q Will you be replacing the trees?
Q What will you do to protect wildlife during the tree removal?
Q How can I find out more about the Quay Street works?
Lighting, CCTV, and control over access to the busway
Q. What lighting will be provided on the busway?
Q. What are the CCTV arrangements on the busway?
Q. How will you prevent unauthorised access to the busway?
Legal Situation
Q What was the outcome of the Supreme Court judgement on 19 January 2011?
Q How much have the legal challenges delayed construction?
Q What was the outcome of the Village Green application for the land adjacent to Tichborne Way?
Q Can you explain the BRT legal issues?
Q What were the outcomes of the Village Green cases?
Wildlife Protection
Q What are you doing to protect wildlife on site?
Scheme Details
Q Which buses will operate on the new busway?
Q Does the scheme include provision for cyclists and pedestrians?
Q Will taxis and motorcycles or the emergency services be permitted to use the busway?
Q How can you restrict use of the busway to buses?
Q What will be done to minimise pollution and noise when the busway is operational?
Q How many bus stops will there be, and what is the location of the stops?
BRT Wider Scheme
Q The scheme only goes a short distance; how is this going to help?
BRT Background
Q How is the scheme being paid for?
Q Where can I view the BRT planning decision notice?
Q How did you consult with the local community before Planning Permission for the BRT scheme?
Current or Imminent BRT Works
Q. I have heard that Redlands Lane is due to be closed. Why is this necessary and for how long will it be closed?
The section of Redlands Lane west of the disused railway line bridge to the junction with Chamberlain Grove will be closed from 24 October 2011 for 15 weeks. This is to enable construction of a new pedestian crossing and associated retaining walls. The closure is essential to enable safety of working associated with piling equipment and underground services. Other works to be carried out in this period linked to BRT include the installation of new traffic lights at the junction of Redlands Lane with the new busway and road surfacing works. It should be noted that Palmerston Drive will be open to traffic prior to the closure of Redlands Lane and that local bus services will not be affected. For further details and to see the diversion routes, please go to the construction website at www.bamnuttall.co.uk/hants-bus-rapid-transit
Q. Why have you fenced off the section of the disused railway line between Redlands Lane and Fareham station?
Hampshire County Council owns this land and it has always been our intention to extend the BRT Phase 1 busway, which is currently being constructed between Tichborne Way in Gosport and Redlands Lane in Fareham, along this section of the disused railway corridor as soon as funding becomes available. We have fenced off the land and public access on to the land is now prohibited.
Q I have heard that Wych Lane is going to be closed. Why is this necessary, and for how long will it remain closed?
Wych Lane is programmed to be closed on 7 March 2011 for a period of roughly ten months. This is necessary to enable removal of the existing railway bridge in March, for buried services to be diverted and construction of the new signalised junction to be completed. The works here are particularly complicated and have to be carefully phased to enable a gas main, water main, telecom and electricity cables to be moved safely before the main junction can be completed. Throughout this period of closure, pedestrian access will be maintained across the new bus corridor for people wishing to continue to pass along Wych Lane. Local bus services will, unfortunately, have to be diverted, but full details of revised stops and routes will be available nearer the time.
Q What changes will be in place for bus services during the closure of Wych Lane?
Service 88 will be diverted via Nobes Avenue shops, Cunningham Drive and Fareham Road. Services 85 and 86 will also be diverted via Cunningham Drive and Fareham Road. Timetables will be amended accordingly.
In addition, a free shuttle service will be introduced from Nobes Avenue Shops to Tukes Avenue, Brading Avenue, Brewers Lane and Nobes Avenue. This will operated from 0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Saturday.
Q What will the works on the A27 Redlands Lane junction involve?
Work to improve the busy signal-controlled junction at The Avenue with Redlands Lane and Gudge Heath Lane, Fareham, is planned to start from March 14 for about 12 weeks. The existing junction layout will remain unchanged; however, the traffic signal equipment will be upgraded to help improve the efficiency of the junction and make it more responsive to buses approaching from Redlands Lane.
The works support the BRT Phase 1 scheme, as northbound buses from the dedicated bus route will join the road network at Redlands Lane and then join the A27 at The Avenue. Improving the traffic signals will give buses priority for their journey towards Fareham railway station, the town centre and the bus station.
Hampshire County Council has appointed Rocon Contractors Limited to carry out the highway works along with specialist contractor, Siemens, to complete the upgrade to the traffic signals. It is proposed to minimise disruption by undertaking the works on a restricted hours basis, between 0930 and 1600. In addition to the new traffic signals, the engineering work includes ducting for signal cabling, a new traffic signal island, and refurbishment of the anti-skid surfacing and road markings. To ensure pedestrian and workforce safety during the course of the works it will be necessary to introduce lane restrictions; however, it is proposed to retain at least one traffic lane in each direction during the course of the works. Use of temporary traffic signals will be minimised by keeping the existing traffic signals, including the existing signal controlled pedestrian crossing on the A27, operational until switching over to the new equipment.
Q When will Newgate Lane be moved back to its original location?
The temporary embankment taking traffic safely around the site of a new bridge has been operating successfully since 24 September 2010. This will continue to operate until May/June 2011, when the new bridge and road will be completed. At this time it is not possible to give an exact date for the switch back of traffic, but works associated with this will be minor and carried out overnight, so should have minimal impact for traffic.
Q Where can I find out more about the scheme?
We will be issuing regular e-updates on the progress of the construction phase and, later in the year, on the transition to a fully operational public transport service. To subscribe please visit our e-update registration page. For day-to-day construction and local traffic management information, please visit the dedicated construction website, www.bamnuttall.co.uk/hants-bus-rapid-transit. You can also follow Hampshire County Council on twitter: www.twitter.com/hantsconnect for regular updates.
Q What construction work has been done so far on the BRT site?
The following work has been completed:
Site clearance, including the removal of fly-tipped rubbish from the area
Track removal
Palmerston Bridge demolition
Newgate Lane diversion
Successful relocation of wildlife
Q What works are taking place on Palmerston Drive, and how long will the road be closed for?
The bridge over Palmerston Drive has been removed to enable the widening of Palmerston Drive carriageway and the construction of a new pavement. A temporary embankment built specifically to keep two-way traffic moving at all times along Newgate Lane has been completed and is now in use. The 'switch over' of traffic from Newgate Lane onto this temporary route took place in late September 2010.
Palmerston Drive will remain closed while Newgate Lane is diverted to enable the construction of a new bridge. This will allow the BRT Phase 1 busway to pass underneath Newgate Lane. A local diversion will be in place for the duration of these works, which are scheduled for completion in late summer 2011, according to our current construction programme.
Vehicles that would normally enter Palmerston Drive from the A32 (southbound) will be diverted to the Mill Road roundabout and back onto Newgate Lane. Northbound vehicles (from Palmerston Industrial Estate) heading for Redlands Lane will be diverted along Newgate Lane, around the Mill Road roundabout and back under the Newgate Lane flyover.
Q What are your current plans for future construction work on the BRT scheme?
Generally, the works will consist of digging out and re-grading the existing railway line and building a new road. Noise will be controlled by following the planning conditions for the scheme. Standard construction machinery will be used.
Q4 Winter/ Spring 2011:
Newgate Lane bridge construction continuing - completion due late spring/early summer
General road and drainage work continuing
Retaining wall construction ongoing
Boundary and acoustic fencing
Protection works to existing utility apparatus continuing
Closure of Wych Lane on 7 March 2011 to allow the demolition of the bridge and construction of new junction with the BRT busway
Planned traffic management
Autumn 2010 - early April 2011: traffic signals in Redlands Lane (subject to Hampshire Highways approval)
July 2011 - September 2011: traffic signals in Redlands Lane
September 2011 for 6 weeks: road closure in Redlands Lane
Spring 2011 - late Autumn 2011: Wych Lane closure to vehicular traffic (pedestrian access maintained)
Please note that the above plans are indicative only and may be subject to change.
Q What is the next phase of works due on the BRT route?
The bridge over Wych Lane will be demolished in early March to enable the existing embankment south of the bridge to be lowered and Wych Lane raised to allow a new junction to be constructed at this location. Gas, water, electricity and telecom must all be diverted in this area, which will take several months to complete.
Earth-moving activities associated with the road construction will ease over the next few months, with other activities such as the placing of kerbs and tarmac becoming more prevalent.
The new bridge at Newgate Lane is due for completion in early summer, which will allow the road to be moved back onto the original alignment. This, in turn will allow work to start on the Palmerston Drive junction with the BRT.
Q What times of day will the BRT work be carried out?
Work will take normally place between 7am and 6:30pm from Monday to Friday, and 8am to 5pm on Saturday. In exceptional circumstances, from Mon - Fri night working between 2000 - 0630 may be permitted with the agreement of the local Environmental Health Officer.
Q Will there be any out-of-hours work on the BRT scheme?
At this point in time it is envisaged that there are only likely to be two activities which will require out-of-hours overnight working.
Firstly, on 17 September 2010 night working will take place to complete road surfacing work at each end of the Newgate diversion, and on 23 or 24 September 2010 (date dependent on weather condition) , work will be completed at night to switch the traffic from the old alignment of Newgate Lane to the temporary embankment on the line of Palmerston Drive to enable the construction of the new Newgate Lane bridge. This will involve work which cannot be done with traffic running.
The overnight road closures will negate the need for the planned traffic management of the A32 and Newgate Lane that was expected to last for 9 months and result in significant disruption travelling public. Whilst the planning conditions regarding working hours are in place to minimise the inconvenience to residents not motorists, the overall benefits of two night’s work will be huge for the people of Fareham and Gosport.
The second overnight working would be the reverse of the above when the traffic is switched back to the old alignment of Newgate Lane once the new bridge is constructed. This will take place during Summer 2011 subject to necessary approvals being in place and date to be confirmed.
Whilst it is possible other night working may be requested no other such works are currently expected.
Q Will the BRT construction works be noisy?
There are specific contractual and planning condition requirements for noise control during the construction phase which were agreed with the local enforcing authorities, and the site team will be working within these limits. The Local Environmental Health Departments at Fareham and Gosport are updated by the contractor on a weekly basis as to the works that are being carried out, so they will be aware of what is happening on site.
The Enforcing Authorities responsible for cases of noise nuisance and the investigation of complaints regarding noise from the site for the works are:
Fareham Borough Council
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Fareham
Hampshire
PO16 7AZ
(01329) 236100
Gosport Borough Council
Town Hall
High Street
Gosport
Hampshire
PO12 1EB
(023) 9248 4242
Q Will the tree removal have an impact on the traffic?
These works will not have any impact on any traffic as they are predominantly confined to the old railway corridor and embankments.
Q Will you be replacing the trees?
Yes - it has always been part of the plan to include new and replacement landscape planting, as well as extensive sections of acoustic fence up to 2m high, which will all be in place before the bus route opens. The replanting will result in a mixture of woodland, grassland and shrub.
Q What will you do to protect wildlife during the tree removal?
As work begins on vegetation and trees on the route, all trees will be inspected for bat roosts and bird nests before any work is carried out on them. Works to each tree will only take place if there are no bats or unfledged birds there. Bird and bat boxes have already been installed along and around the route to accommodate wildlife.
Q How will you reduce the potential disruption that may be caused by the Tesco Quay Street works converging with the BRT works?
There are two separate parts to the works; the construction of a new Tesco superstore on the old Foundry site between Quay Street and the A27 Eastern Way, and Tesco highway improvement works on and around Quay Street roundabout.
We appreciate that both the BRT and Tesco developments involve major works, with a potential impact on the highway, and we have tried as far as possible to co-ordinate the works to minimise any disruption in the area. For BRT, this means constructing a temporary embankment to enable Newgate Lane to be diverted around the site of planned works to construct a new bridge, thereby maintaining two-way traffic and the use of the bridge over the A32. This in turn will help to ensure that traffic runs smoothly in the area where Newgate Lane and the A32 converge. Co-ordination of works will be ongoing throughout the respective construction periods. The Tesco Quay Street works are designed to ensure the existing capacity is maintained through the junction.
Q How can I find out more about the Quay Street works?
The contractor has set up a website where you can find out more about the works. Please go to http://www.quayst.co.uk/ for more information.
Lighting, CCTV, and access controls
Q. What lighting will be provided on the busway?
Lighting is required during the operational hours at all of the junctions of the
busway with the highway, for safety, visibility and personal security reasons. For this reason it is also required at bus stops, next to cycle parking and at pedestrian/cycle access points. During non-operational hours, lighting is necessary for security reasons. Street lighting on the busway will be in accordance with current lighting standards and will be switched on throughout the hours of darkness so that the CCTV cameras can operate effectively. In addition, the existing street lighting at the junctions of Redlands Lane, Palmerston Drive, Wych Lane and Tichborne Way will be upgraded. It is normal practice to locate new lighting columns on the footway at or about the boundary between two properties and, wherever possible, this practice has been adhered to.
Bus stop lighting and mini-CCTV 14 new bus stops will be provided on the busway. All will have LED lighting which uses ten times less electricity than traditional shelter lighting. Shelters will be fitted with mini-CCTV covering the platforms, cycle parking and access points onto the busway. In order to enable the CCTV to operate effectively, lighting within the shelters will remain on during the hours of darkness.
Q. What are the CCTV arrangements on the busway?
In addition to the mini-CCTV in the bus shelters, CCTV mast-mounted cameras will be provided at all junctions of the busway with the highway and at the Gregson Avenue and Vian Close pedestrian access points. The CCTV cameras will be owned by Hampshire County Council and will be operated on a 24x7 basis by the Fareham and Gosport CCTV Control room. Codes of Practice for the operation and use of the CCTV cameras and mini-CCTV shelter systems will be available to view later this year.
Q. How will you prevent unauthorised access to the busway?
Preventing unauthorised access to the busway during the hours when the busway is not operational (11.15pm to 5:45am) is a requirement of the Planning Permission for the scheme which was granted in July 2009. A number of solutions were considered by the County Council working with the Police, resulting in a package of measures which were submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The package includes the provision of rising barriers, anti-ram bollards, Traffic Regulation Orders, appropriate signing and an enhanced system of monitoring compliance with these measures.
Raise Arm Barriers will be provided at all vehicular entry and exit points and will be lowered during non-operational hours (11.15pm to 5:45am) seven days a week to prevent unauthorised vehicles accessing the route.
Anti-ram bollards will be provided in all locations where cars could gain access to the busway via the pedestrian and cycle points.
Legal Situation
Q What was the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment on 19 January 2011?
At the hearing at the Supreme Court on 19 January 2011 the judgment of the five law lords who heard the case was handed down, dismissing the appeal against Hampshire County Council. The legal challenge related to the planning permission granted for the BRT Phase 1 route from Fareham to Gosport, rather than the merits of the scheme itself, and had already been dismissed by both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The case hinged on the interpretation of the European Habitats Directive in respect of protected species – in this case, bats, and how the County Council had dealt with this in granting permission for the scheme. The decision of the Supreme Court confirmed that the County Council had followed the correct planning procedures and that the decision to grant permission was sound.
Click here to go to the Supreme Court’s website, where you can view a press release that summarises the judgment. http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/decided-cases/index.html
Q How much have the legal challenges delayed construction?
Originally the scheme was programmed to be completed in Spring 2011; however, court proceedings, injunctions and other restrictions have led to numerous delays to the construction. It is now expected that the busway will be completed towards the end of the year, with buses commencing services along the route as soon as possible in 2012.
Q What was the outcome of the Village Green application for the land adjacent to Tichborne Way?
Following a hearing on 11 April 2011, the Regulatory Committee, in its role as Commons Registration Authority, rejected the application to register the land adjacent to Tichborne Way (known locally as 'The Triangle') as a Village Green.
Q Can you explain the BRT legal issues?
Hampshire County Council’s Regulatory Committee granted planning consent on 31 July 2009. On 17 November 2009, His Honour Judge Bidder QC dismissed the application for judicial review of the decision by Hampshire County Council to grant Planning Permission for the South East Hampshire Bus Rapid Transit Phase 1. The applicant, however, then applied to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal and this was granted by the Rt Hon Lord Justice Sullivan.
On 10 June 2010 three Appeal Court judges handed down judgement dismissing an appeal against the previous judgement in November 2009. The applicant then sought leave from the Supreme Court to appeal against this decision.
The applicant sought leave to appeal on three grounds:
Destruction of bat roosts
The requirement for a full Environmental Impact Assessment as part of the Planning Application
Disturbance of bats
At the hearing, three law lords refused to grant an injunction to halt the scheme and dismissed the first two grounds of the objector’s application for leave to appeal.
An appeal was allowed on the third ground, which centres on the Supreme Court’s desire to clarify a point of law regarding the interpretation of a section of the European Habitats Directive dealing with the ‘disturbance’ of bats (a European protected species). Hampshire County Council in its role as Planning Authority welcomes this decision, as such clarification will inform the consideration of any future planning applications.
The objector asked for the hearing on this one remaining challenge to be heard as soon as possible. This was also turned down by the Supreme Court, which indicated that it already had a heavy schedule for the remainder of the year.
The decision not to grant an injunction to halt the scheme means that BRT Phase 1 can now go ahead without impediment and using Government-awarded funding.
Q What were the outcomes of the Village Green cases?
Following a hearing on 11 April 2011, the Regulatory Committee, in its role as Commons Registration Authority, rejected the application to register the land adjacent to Tichborne Way (known locally as 'The Triangle') as a Village Green.
Q Will the County Council be acquiring any land through Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to construct BRT Phase 1?
There is no requirement for land in private ownership to be compulsorily purchased in order to build the busway. In a few isolated cases where property owners have encroached onto the railway corridor, these owners have already been contacted and appropriate action is being agreed.
Wildlife Protection
Q What are you doing to protect wildlife on site?
All tree clearance work has been completed. Any other vegetation clearance will be carried out in September 2011, after the bird nesting season.
We have erected reptile-proof fencing throughout the site to keep slow worms and lizards out of the works area, and last autumn the site was thoroughly checked to ensure that no reptiles remained. Now that spring is on the way, reptiles will be active again and therefore measures will be put in place to capture and relocate any found on site.
All the badgers have been successfully relocated from the route embankments to new setts and the redundant setts removed, under licence and guidance from Natural England. A successful breeding sow has been identified at one of the replacement main setts. Works this spring will include the construction of a second badger tunnel under the busway.
We have erected a large number of dormouse boxes throughout the site to check for their presence, but no dormice have been identified. 100 bird boxes, 50 bat boxes and 50 dormice boxes have also been erected on the trees that are to remain on site.
Scheme Details
Q Which buses will operate on the new busway?
The bus services that operate between Gosport and Fareham town centres are amongst the busiest in Hampshire. It is important to emphasise that the bus routes that will use the new BRT Phase 1 busway will be routes that already serve the local area. Changes will be made to the current network to enable selected services to use the busway for part of their journey to improve efficiency and reliability. It is not possible at this stage to confirm which bus routes will be diverted onto the new busway, as this is a commercial decision that has to be taken by the bus operators and agreed with the County Council. However, we will be publicising details of the bus routes that will use the BRT Phase 1 busway closer to the time of opening. This information will be made available in various formats, including online, via leaflets to be distributed to residents who live in the vicinity of the new busway, and at bus stops, bus stations and Fareham railway station. In the meantime, for your guidance, the map below shows indicative bus routes only, subject to confirmation:
Download map showing BRT Eclipse 2012 indicative routes 
588kb
Q Does the scheme include provision for cyclists and pedestrians?
In order not to compromise the corridor width and also the landscape and trees further it has been agreed that on carriageway road markings will be provided to enable cyclists to cycle on road at the edge of the busway. Cycle flag signs will be used to denote the route. The original off-road proposals along the footpath link to the rear of Forest Way between Holbrook and Tichborne Way are still proposed. In addition an extra 8 bus stops have been added to the original 12 and all of these will allow for cycle parking.
The current phase 1 of BRT is intended to be part of a wider network of BRT provision in the area. The cycling provisions for BRT phase 1 are, therefore, intended to link into the wider existing and proposed cycling network in Fareham and Gosport.
Under the scheme, shared-use pedestrian and cycle routes are provided between the busway and the surrounding areas. This includes an off-road route parallel to the busway between Tichborne Way and Military Road to retain the existing link.
There is no pedestrian route along the busway, however, only to the bus stops from the surrounding area. Pedestrian links to bus stops on the busway will be direct and accessible to all. In addition, the development of the busway will facilitate crossing points at places along the route where pedestrians currently cross, thereby helping to link the communities on either side of the corridor.
Q Will taxis and motorcycles or the emergency services be permitted to use the busway?
In order to maintain the high specification service that is required for a rapid bus scheme, reliable journey times are essential. The reliability and quality of service will be ensured by limiting the use of the corridor to buses only.
The level of service associated with a rapid bus scheme could not be guaranteed if other vehicles were allowed to use the corridor, so taxis will not be permitted along the corridor. Motorcycles would cause unnecessary noise and other nuisance to residents alongside the busway, and so will also not be permitted to use the corridor.
Police and other emergency services, however, will be able to use the busway.
Q How can you restrict use of the busway to buses?
A Quality Partnership (or similar legal agreement) will be put in place with bus operators to ensure that only buses which meet the required standard are allowed to use the dedicated corridor.
The use of the busway will be controlled through Traffic Regulation Orders and enforced by the police with assistance from the proposed CCTV mast-mounted cameras located at all junctions along the busway.
In order to limit light pollution, lighting will not be included along the busway. The scheme will be lit at junctions, bus stops and at the southern end where there is an adjoining cycle/footway. New and existing footway links and off-road cycleway links will also be provided with lighting. Where the route crosses an existing road and a new junction is formed, the lighting will be renewed to comply with the relevant British Standard category.
All bus stops will be internally lit to provide a safe environment for bus users. Highway lighting will be included along footway and cycleway links between the bus stops and adjacent roads. Energy-efficient light sources have been used in the design, along with lanterns that carefully control the light distribution and restrict the emission at angles near the horizontal to reduce light pollution and sky glow.
Q What will be done to minimise pollution and noise when the busway is operational?
Residents may have concerns over the levels of air and noise pollution to which they will be exposed if the scheme is built. This has been a primary concern since the earliest stages of planning the scheme. Our intention is that the only vehicles able to use the corridor will be high-specification, low-emission buses using the latest technology, emergency vehicles and service and maintenance vehicles. It is expected that the scheme will increase bus patronage, reducing car use and congestion on the parallel A32. Once the proposed wider BRT route is developed, use of the network will increase further and encourage more people not to use their cars, thus reducing emissions further.
In respect of noise, we expect that the buses will be high-specification modern buses with relatively low noise levels. The proposal for two buses every five to ten minutes will mean that the noise will not be constant as it is for a road such as the A32; however, a study is being undertaken to record existing noise levels and after studies will also be taken. Where noise is likely to affect sensitive areas unacceptably, which may be at bus stops or around junctions, noise mitigation measures including acoustic fencing will be installed.
Q How many bus stops will there be, and what is the location of the stops?
In total 20 bus-stops are planned for the busway, between Redlands Lane and Military Road, mainly close to existing road crossings and places where pedestrians usually cross. 14 stops will be provided as part of the Redlands Lane to Tichborne Way section of the busway currently being built. When the remainder of the busway, between Tichborne Way and Military Road, is built, the two stops on the link road will be relocated onto the busway and the remaining six new stops will be provided.
As shown on the BRT Phase 1 route map, four bus services that currently serve routes on the peninsula will use the busway. There are in the region of 200 existing bus stops on the wider peninsula which are already used by these buses and will continue to be used by them.
BRT Wider Scheme
Q The scheme only goes a short distance; how is this going to help?
It is a misconception that the BRT route is limited to the section of busway being developed as Phase 1 between Redlands Lane in Fareham and Tichborne Way in Gosport. In reality buses will use the proposed busway for only part of their journey with routes extending beyond into the surrounding residential areas, linking to key destinations and transport interchanges at the Gosport Ferry terminal, Fareham railway station and Fareham bus station in Fareham town centre.
Phase 1 is part of a concept for the wider South East Hampshire Bus Rapid Transit scheme, that involves the development of a viable public transport system which will connect key towns and destinations in South East Hampshire including Gosport, Fareham and Portsmouth, the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Port Solent, Tipner and ultimately Havant, Waterlooville, Segensworth and Whiteley. The scheme will also be designed to connect with proposed major new development sites including the future North Fareham Strategic Development Area. One recently completed example is the ZIP 41 corridor Clanfield to Portsmouth. Further stages of the BRT scheme will be developed and implemented in a phased manner when funding becomes available during future years.
BRT Background
Q How is the scheme being paid for?
The Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) is a joint Communities and Local Government / Department for Transport fund specifically designed to fund transport schemes that support housing growth. Over £170m of CIF funding for 29 transport schemes in Growth Areas and new Growth Points was announced on 27 March 2009. The bid from Hampshire County Council was successful and a total of £20m funding was awarded towards the cost of BRT Phase 1.
The Department for Transport carefully analysed and assessed each of the schemes bidding for CIF funding against the CIF criteria. It was judged that the BRT Phase 1 scheme offered transport benefits as a public transport scheme, providing improved access to the substantial housing developments planned across the wider South East Hampshire Growth Point Area, along with improving the sustainability of these major locations of housing growth.
In addition funding from Planning for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) and Hampshire County Council has been used to progress the design and advanced works for the scheme. The buses would be provided and paid for by the bus operator(s) as part of the Quality Agreement or other form of legal agreement for the operation of the route.
Q Why are you building the BRT and not an alternative (such as the LRT, Stubbington Bypass or widening the A32)?
Central Government refused to finance the proposed LRT project, despite significant efforts to promote it by Hampshire County Council. Whilst the BRT does not provide all of the benefits that LRT would have done, it goes a significant way to providing improvements in public transport on the peninsula, with high-quality and reliable links proposed to many key locations in South East Hampshire.
It would be impossible to widen the A32 without demolishing people’s homes, at great expense and social cost. Additional road capacity encourages more road traffic, with adverse environmental effects, and would add to the congestion problems elsewhere on the main road network such as the Quay Street roundabout and on the roads leading to the M27.
There are no current plans to construct a new road as public sector funding or Government support is unlikely to be available in the foreseeable future. Longer term solutions may involve some form of road improvements as part of improvement packages; however, new roads would encourage greater car use, causing further traffic congestion elsewhere on the constrained peninsula network, and would have an adverse environmental effect.
Q Where can I view the BRT planning decision notice?
You can view the notice on Hampshire County Council's Planning portal - application numbers P/09/0278/CC & K17678
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/planning/mineralsandwaste/planning-applications/applications/applications-recently-decided.htm
Q How did you consult with the local community before Planning Permission for the BRT scheme?
The following public consultation events have taken place on the BRT scheme:
First Consultation Session on 16th, 17th & 18th of October 2008 at Bridgemary Community Sports College, Gosport, followed by a session at Fareham Borough Council Offices on 21st, 22nd & 23rd of October 2008.
Second Consultation Session on 15th, 16th & 17th of January 2009 at Bridgemary Community Sports College, Gosport, followed by two other sessions. The first was on 19th, 20th & 21st of January 2009 at Gosport Discovery Centre and the second was on 22nd, 23rd & 24th of January 2009.
This makes a total of 15 days of consultation events. In addition:
An information leaflet was delivered in January 2009 to approximately 7,000 residents who lived within a 400m radius of the proposed BRT corridor, with a follow-up pre-planning bulletin in April 2009 to update residents.
A personal letter of invitation was issued to the 1,400 residents who live directly behind or next to the proposed BRT route.
All information that was to be released into the public domain was also issued to all key stakeholders (including local councillors and county councillors, MPs, the business community, local specialist groups etc).
Posters advertising the second consultation were distributed to town and community hot-spots within Fareham and Gosport, as well as local community areas along the proposed BRT corridor. This included the main Post Office, shopping centres, libraries, bus stations, council offices, local newsagents, local post offices, local convenience stores, and petrol stations. First Hampshire, the local bus operator, also carried posters and 1,500 leaflets on buses that travelled routes through the Gosport and Fareham communities;
A full-colour 34cm x 4 column right hand side positioned advertisement was placed in the local newspaper, The News – Fareham and Gosport Edition.
Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8UJ
This page was last updated on 11 November 2011. © Copyright Hampshire County Council 2012.