Formatted APPENDIX A - REPORT ON CORE AREAS OF WORK

Carriageway Resurfacing Programme

1. ‟s highway network is an essential communication link that serves almost everyone everyday of the week and for a wide variety of reasons from simply visiting friends and relatives to vital business deliveries. Roads are an extremely valuable asset and in Luton their Gross Replacement Value is currently £470.25m.

2. In 2011/12 we delivered 33 resurfacing schemes and spent c. £1,500,000 of capital and revenue funding. However, with another severe winter in 2010/11 many roads had deteriorated further with the long period of freeze/thaw leading to the accelerated break- up of carriageway surfaces, with extensive cracking, crazing and potholes.

3. In addition in March 2011 the Department for Transport allocated £248,006 of Winter Pothole Funding to LBC following severe winter weather. This was used for large area road patching with over 28 roads treated.

4. Weather predictions for future years indicate an increasing trend for more exceptional weather conditions resulting in further pressure on already reducing maintenance budgets. Highway maintenance is increasingly a matter of managing the deterioration of assets.

5. The classified road (A, B & C roads) network is assessed annually using nationally developed criteria and the unclassified network is assessed every two years. Figures supplied to government show that we are currently only spending half of what would be required to maintain Luton‟s roads in their current condition. 361 resurfacing schemes have been identified following carriageway condition surveys of the road network.

6. Based upon results of the assessments, and referrals from area Highway Inspectors, Highway Services has developed a programme of work for carriageways which need immediate and significant improvement. The five-year programme addresses 104 of the roads in the worst condition. Although the conditions indicate work is required immediately the programme is based upon the likely available capital and revenue budgets and limited to 5 years. The level of deterioration is dependant on many variables and occurs at differing rates. As a result the condition of the network is under constant assessment, and the programme under review.

7. In 2012/13 it is recommended that £1,020,000 of LTP Highway Capital Maintenance funding should be allocated for this programme along with a revenue contribution of around £522,000. However, the revenue contribution is dependent upon the level of reactive maintenance required. In addition in 2012/13 it is proposed, if approved by Executive, to reallocate £500,000 from the Integrated Transport LTP Capital funding to this programme. The Carriageway Resurfacing Five Year Programme is attached as Appendix B.

Area Studies

8. Good progress continues on the Area Studies programme. Introduced seven years ago, work has now been completed on 15 of the 25 areas; this is in-line with the stated aim of two areas treated each year. In 2011/12 approximately £360,000 of LTP, £160,000 of LSTF and £110,000 of Department for Transport “Links to schools” funding was spent on this area of work; completing both the Ashcroft and areas and continuing consultation and design in and . The reduction in Integrated Transport Capital Grant and the loss of the LBC capital funding element has slowed progress of this programme of work but it is still hoped to complete the outstanding areas within the timescale of the current LTP Implementation Plan 2011-2015.

12/6 9. As part of this programme we work closely with the local community to introduce a wide variety of traffic measures including 20mph speed limits, traffic calming, safety around schools, improved pedestrian and cycle facilities, waiting restrictions and, increasingly, environmental improvements. Only those measures supported by a significant majority of people responding to our consultation are introduced.

10. It is recommended that £120,000 of LTP and £65,000 of LSTF funding should be allocated to this work programme for 2012/13. In 2012/13 the emphasis will be on completing the Stopsley area, finalising a scheme for Lewsey ready for implementation spring 2013 and carrying out consultation/design for the remaining seven areas for a prioritised implementation on the ground from 2013 in order to meet the 2015 deadline of the LTP Implementation Plan.

11. A revised priority list for this area of work has been attached at Appendix C and this takes into account the latest available accident data. Taken from the priority list the programme of work for 2012/13 is as follows: - i. Stopsley – complete consultation/design with implementation summer 2012 ii. – complete consultation and design (for implementation spring 2013) iii. – consultation and design (for implementation summer 2013) iv. West – consultation and design (for implementation summer 2013) v. – consultation and design (for implementation spring 2014) vi. Crawley – commence consultation vii. – commence consultation viii. Wigmore – commence consultation ix. – commence consultation

Local Safety Schemes and Road safety Initiatives

12. A total of £41,500 of LTP funding was spent on this area of work in 2011/12 together with the accident investigation and assessment work to ascertain the proposed schemes for 2012/13.

13. Local Safety Schemes are investigated in a data led manner with the locations with the worst accident problems being treated first. This should ensure that we reduce accidents by the greatest amount with the limited funding that is available. Eight priority areas (four clusters and four routes) have been investigated.

14. During 2011/12 a scheme was introduced at the Vauxhall Way/ Road roundabout to improve driver lane discipline on the approach and through the roundabout. Minor safety related modifications were carried out at previous schemes in line with the recommendations of road safety audits.

15. In addition, the use of average speed cameras to reduce casualties on the A505 Road (from Road to Chaul End Lane) has been investigated along with the phased conversion of the existing wet-film traffic safety cameras to digital imaging.

16. It is recommended that £200,000 of LTP funding should be allocated to this work for 2012/13. A priority list for this area of work is attached at Appendix D.

17. The enforcement element of the traffic safety cameras in Luton is self-funding through speed awareness workshops and therefore, in line with the LTP3 focus on promoting road safety education, training and publicity to influence road users‟ attitudes and behaviour. Formatted: Position: Horizontal: 9.52 cm, Relative to: Page, Vertical: -0.04 cm, Relative to: Paragraph

12/7 18. Publicity campaigns aimed at motorcyclists, drivers (drink drive, watch out for motorcyclists, young drivers), cyclists and pedestrians have been carried out through 2011/12. The majority have been in partnership with the other members in the and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership.

19. The Revenue Support Grant will be used for the following in 2012/13: -

Education, Training and Publicity (ETP) Project Estimated cost

Speed (including safety cameras maintenance, speed indicator £58k devices, publicity)

Bedfordshire Police Accident data recorder £8k

Pedestrians (education, training and publicity) £20k

Motorcycles (education, training and publicity) £15k

Car drivers and occupants (education, training and publicity £28k including Belt up for Life and Responsible Road User)

Work Related (education, training) £5k

Events (publicity) £8k

Evaluation £15k

Safer Routes to Schools Challenge

20. During 2011/12 £25,000 was spent on this programme of work (excluding work around schools in our Area Studies work programme). Work was completed for Rabia Girls and Boys Schools and Grasmere Nursery.

21. Applications have been received from Downside Primary, Pirton Hill Primary and Tennyson Road Primary for the Safer Routes to School Challenge for inclusion in the 2012/13 programme of works.

22. It is proposed that £50,000 should be allocated to this work for 2012/13, with the following schools to be treated.

School Estimated cost

Wigmore Primary School £20k

Downside Primary School £20k

Pirton Hill Primary School £5k

Safer Routes to School Challenge initial investigations and minor £5k safety around schools works

23. The Safer Routes to Schools Challenge remains open to bids from schools for future works. LSTF funding is being used to keep the School Travel Advisor until the end of March 2015 with the possibility of employing an assistant also LSTF funded. LBC will continue encouraging schools to have active travel planning and take part in the Formatted: Position: Horizontal: 9.52 cm, Relative to: Page, Vertical: -0.04 challenge process. cm, Relative to: Paragraph

12/8 Pedestrian Schemes (including School Crossing Patrols)

24. In 2011/12 a total of £140,000 of LTP and £75,000 of LSTF funding was spent on a wide range of pedestrian facilities (excluding work carried out within the Area Studies programme). This includes c. £30,000 on introducing flush kerbs/tactile paving at many locations and junctions; these are delivered on an on-demand process until the funding is used. Requests come from a variety of sources such as correspondence, Officers, Councillors and Ward Forums.

25. As part of the on-going programme of School Crossing Patrol improvements works were carried out the sites on Havelock Road, Calverton Road, Portland Road and Beechwood Road. On Beechwood Road a raised table type road hump was installed to assist the patrol at this particularly busy site.

26. The large junction of Toddington Road with The Avenue was reduced in size and the pedestrian refuge upgraded to improve the walking route to Railway Station. A pedestrian refuge was also installed on Humberstone Road at its roundabout junction with Oakley Road.

27. The street scene/footway improvement for the Marsh Road shops was completed, with the length outside Nursery Parade up to the new Lidl entrance upgraded to the same standard; this included new seats, cycle parking and trees. A contribution was also made to the improvement of the pedestrian environment around the Town Hall Square.

28. It is recommended that £150,000 (LTP £50,000 and LSTF £100,000) is allocated to this area of work in 2012/13. The priority list of pedestrian schemes, including School Crossing Patrols, has been attached as Appendix E to this report.

Cycling Schemes

29. In 2011/12 £68,000 of LTP funding and £75,000 of LSTF funding was spent on improving cycle facilities. Riverside Way which is part of the National Cycle Route 6 (NCN6) had been deteriorating in condition over a number of years with increasing complaints from users; this has now been upgraded between Bramingham Road and Neville Road with new surfacing and signing. The successful LSTF bid allowed the length being upgraded in 2011/12 to be extended up to Neville Road.

30. Work also commenced on improving NCN6 at Sundon Arch, two new Toucan crossings have been installed either side and the footway moved from the south to the north side of the bridge tunnel. Working closely with £100,000 of Department for Transport “Links to Schools” funding has been secured for this work. This joins with the new Sundon Park Road shared-use cycle route which provides a link from NCN6 to and Sundon Park Primary School.

31. Improvements were also made to the cycle link between the A6 Barton Road cycle route and Warden Hill Primary School. The LSTF funded Bike-it Officer had identified the lack of a proper cycle link as a reason limiting the number of pupils cycling to school.

32. Working closely with the Sustrans Bike-it officer a contribution was made to nine schools for the provision of new and improved cycle parking facilities. These were Downside Primary, Southfield Primary, Ramridge Primary, Wigmore Primary, The Meads Primary, Hillborough Junior, Cheynes Infant, William Austin Infant and Whipperley Infant.

33. It is recommended that £150,000 (£50,000 LTP and £100,000 LSTF) is allocated to this area of work in 2012/13. The priority list of cycle schemes has been attached at Appendix F.

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12/9 Public Transport Improvements and Bus Priority Measures

34. In 2011/12 £54,000 of LTP and £87,000 of LSTF funding was spent on this area of work. Work continued on the programme of improving bus stops across Luton with 10 stops along New Bedford Road, 7 along Ashcroft Road 13 stops in the Farley Hill area and 12 stops in the Sundon Park area (as part of the area study works). Ten further stops along Hitchin Road are scheduled to have been upgraded by the end of March 2012. Improvement work includes bus stop clearways, new higher kerbing to improve level floor access, new shelters and seating plus equipment in preparation for the installation of Real Time Passenger Information displays.

35. In addition, a further 30 on-street bus stops have been improved as part of the Luton Dunstable Busway.

36. RTPI has been rolled out over the past three years; this has enabled us to fully fit our main bus operators Arriva, Centrebus and Grant Palmer with on board tracking systems. We have a new Server to Server (S-S) Link with neighbouring Buckinghamshire which will allow cross boundary buses to be displayed on our on street displays. Additional services which come into Luton are being fitted with dual tracking to allow them to be shown on our displays.

37. The text service is operational and we have changed the S-S link direct to Travelline which is reliable. We now need to publicise this to our clients.

38. Eleven stops on the Centrebus No.10 route now have operational Real Time Passenger Information equipment and displays.

39. It is recommended that £150,000 of LTP and £100,000 LSTF funding is allocated to this area of work in 2012/13. The priority list of public transport improvements and bus priority measures is attached at Appendix G.

Modernisation of the Traffic Signal Stock and Urban Traffic Control

40. There are currently 85 sets of traffic signals in Luton with a Gross Replacement Value in excess of £13m. Each set has a nominal life of 15 years. Due to insufficient funding over a sustained period of time there are currently 11 sets of signals beyond this age some of which are becoming increasingly un-maintainable with spare parts no longer available.

41. To minimise this problem, we need to replace five to six sets of signals per year. In 2011/12 we replaced three sets at a cost of £258,000, without this continuing investment, signal faults will continue to increase and in some cases the only option may be to switch the signals off. If the signals are switched off road user safety will be severely compromised and the liability of the Council will be put into question.

42. Those modernised in 2011/12 with improved pedestrian and cycle facilities added (where appropriate) were: - i. Dunstable Road junction with Lewsey Road. ii. Lewsey Road near to Luton & Dunstable Hospital (pedestrian crossing). iii. Dunstable Road near to Eldon Road (pedestrian crossing).

43. In order to help maintain progress design work has already commenced on the next batch of traffic signals so that installation can go ahead with minimum delay. It is recommended that £100,000 of LTP and £100,000 of LBC funding should be allocated and it is proposed, to modernise and upgrade the following set in 2012/13: - i. Birch Link

44. The Birch Link gyratory system has proved increasingly unreliable in 2011/12 and at 26 Formatted: Position: Horizontal: 9.52 years old is overdue for modernisation. However, Birch Link will require the entire cm, Relative to: Page, Vertical: -0.04 cm, Relative to: Paragraph

12/10 2012/13 budget to modernise; this work will be co-ordinated with carriageway resurfacing and new street lighting.

45. It is also appropriate to use other LTP funding where signals are being significantly modified to introduce measures such as cycling and walking facilities and Urban Traffic Control/SCOOT or MOVA operation. A priority list for traffic signal improvements has been attached as Appendix H.

46. In 2011/12 work commenced on installing two new Toucan crossings either side of Sundon Arch Bridge as part of a “Links to Schools” project joining up the National Cycle Route 6 (NCN6) and the new Sundon Park Road shared-use cycle route which provides a cycle link to Lealands High School and Sundon Park Primary School. On completion of this work the existing Puffin crossing on Toddington Road will be removed.

47. As part of the Lewsey Farm area study and working closely with Building Schools for the Future work commenced mid-February on installing a new Puffin Crossing on Leagrave High Street to serve the rebuilt Barnfield Academy West.

48. Also, as part of the works associated with the new Aquatic Centre, a traffic signal arrangement will be installed at the junction of the A505 Hitchin Road/ Road/Cannon Lane which will include pedestrian crossing facilities. Work commenced in February 2012 and is scheduled to last about 12 weeks.

49. In 2012/13 new Toucan Crossings will be installed on NCN6 to replace two existing zebra crossings on Bramingham Road near to the Three Horseshoes Roundabout.

50. The Highways Agency as part of the M1 Junction 10 to 13 Managed Motorway project have commenced the upgrading of M1 Junction 11. As part of this work the LBC traffic signals at the junction have been handed over to the Highways Agency and will be upgraded as part of the works and will include pedestrian crossing facilities at the M1 slip roads. On completion of the works in 2013 the new traffic signals will be handed back to LBC.

51. A substantial element of the LTP Integrated Transport allocation has been invested in a UTC/SCOOT system. The UTC part of the system allows traffic signals in an urban area to be networked via a central computer and the SCOOT part allows the traffic signals on the network to be automatically changed dependant upon the traffic demand. This in turn can reduce congestion, improve pedestrian safety (by reducing cycle times) and reduce emissions (by managing congestion) compared to fixed cycle time on an unlinked network. We have secured an XML gateway which will deliver strategic Bus Priority at signals. This works in conjunction with the RTPI system which tracks buses and shows their deviation to scheduled times. This information is then fed into the UTC System which will give priority to late running buses through the network.

Parking Schemes

52. During 2011/12 £50,500 LTP was spent on parking schemes, with the following work carried out: - i. 62 applications for on-street disabled persons parking bays were processed in 2011/12 resulting in 14 new bays being installed. The need for each bay is reviewed annually and this process resulted in 22 bays that were no longer required being removed in order to free-up on-street parking for general use; ii. Consultation was carried out with residents in the Park Town area to determine which streets were experiencing parking problems. A scheme has been designed for the streets where residents stated there were problems and a second stage consultation took place in February/March 2012 with a view to any agreed scheme being introduced in 2012/13. Formatted: Position: Horizontal: 9.52 cm, Relative to: Page, Vertical: -0.04 cm, Relative to: Paragraph

12/11 iii. Consultation was carried out with residents in the Hospital area to determine which streets were experiencing parking problems. A scheme has been designed for the streets where residents stated there were problems and a second stage consultation took place in February/March 2012 with a view to any agreed scheme being introduced in 2012/13. iv. Parking problems at 15 junctions were investigated and subsequently waiting restrictions have been or are due to be introduced at 11 of these junctions by March 2012. v. A scheme to introduce waiting restrictions along Road in response to concerns by Arriva, the local bus company. The scheme has been publicly advertised, objections considered and overruled, and restrictions will be marked out as soon as the weather allows.

53. It is recommended that £75,000 of LTP funding is allocated to this area of work in 2012/2013. The priority list for this area of work is attached at Appendix I.

LTP Modelling and Monitoring

54. During 2011/12 £43,000 of LTP funding was spent on this area of work. Travel monitoring is vital to the production of LTP3 progress reports, other strategic documents and strategies and to support bids for external funding. It is equally important that schemes that are being introduced are monitored to ensure that they are achieving the desired outcomes. In this context, the monitoring of travel in the Luton-Dunstable corridor and around Luton town centre forms a key element of monitoring the impact of major schemes such as the Luton Dunstable Busway and the Town Centre Transport scheme.

55. The annual monitoring regime includes routine monitoring of traffic across various cordons and screenlines; rail passenger and congestion monitoring surveys; modelling work; and maintenance of equipment. During 2011/12 eleven continuous all-year traffic monitoring sites were introduced onto the main road network.

56. It is recommended that £49,000 is allocated to this area of work in 2012/13. This reduction in the monitoring and modelling budget has been achieved principally as a result of bringing some elements of the monitoring regime in-house.

Bridge Maintenance

57. In 2011/12 £108,000 of LTP funding was spent on this area of work. Bridges provide a vital role in the economy and serving the community. It is therefore essential that the bridge stock is maintained in safe and good condition, but in the most cost effective manner. Gross Replacement Value of bridges and other structures in Luton is c. £77m.

58. Regular bridge inspection and maintenance was carried out during 2011/12 and specialist bridge management software is used to enable efficient asset management of highway structures, including prioritisation of inspection and maintenance programmes. However, there remains a backlog of bridge deck waterproofing and parapet works that cannot currently be funded, every effort is being made to co-ordinate these works with the Highway Maintenance carriageway resurfacing programme in order to reduce costs.

59. Montague Avenue Bridge was the only structure on a well-used road subject to a weight restriction, rebuilding of this bridge commenced in March 2011 and was completed two weeks ahead of schedule with the bridge being reopened to traffic in May 2011.

60. In addition, works were carried out at the Mud Arches Culvert under New Bedford Road near to Kingsdown Avenue to rectify an on-going maintenance problem associated with BT ducting.

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12/12 61. The only bridge in Luton with a weight limit is now at Midhurst Gardens which is a residential cul-de-sac; options will be appraised with a view to a low-cost strengthening scheme rather than replacement.

62. In 2012/13 it is recommended that a total of £50,000 of Highway Capital Maintenance funding should be allocated for the following bridge works: - i. Appraisal of options for weak bridge at Midhurst Gardens ii. Resurfacing of Hatters Way footbridge iii. Payment of retention for Montague Avenue bridge

Footway Replacement Programme

63. Highway Services completed five footway reconstruction schemes in 2011/12. The footway reconstruction programme is drawn-up using historical assessment data provided from condition surveys plus referrals from area Highway Inspectors. Each footway is then assessed by a Highway Engineer, examining the level and percentage of trips, the condition of the kerbs and the number of rocking slabs.

64. Condition is the primary determinant when assessing candidates for reconstruction. However there are also a number of other variables that are taken into consideration when deciding, these include the level of footway overrun from vehicles, the volume of pedestrian usage, the number of vulnerable pedestrian using the footways and the locality of schools, doctor‟s surgery, or other facility likely to be used by pedestrians.

65. Each scheme has an associated report documenting the condition of the footway detailing the reasoning for reconstruction and the method of treatment.

66. In 2012/13 it is anticipated that a revenue contribution of approximately £340,000 can again be made available for these works. The Footway Reconstruction Five-Year Programme is attached as Appendix J.

Street Lighting

67. Street Lighting is an integral part of the highway infrastructure with a Gross Replacement Value in excess of £23.6m. In common with the majority of Highway Authorities throughout the country, ‟s street lighting stock has suffered from historic under funding. There are currently in excess of 6,600 columns within the borough that are past their intended life span.

68. In January 2008 the lighting team began to carry out structural analysis of its column stock. The methodology adopted was to test the columns that would pose the greatest risk should a catastrophic failure occur i.e. 8 to 12m columns on main roads.

69. Of the 8,868 columns and sign posts tested to date, 368 were identified as needing renewal within 6 months of which 120 were identified as so urgent that they were advised to be removed the same day as they were tested.

70. The level of funding in the Capital Programme for 2012/13 is £325,000; this allows for the replacement of approximately 170 to 200 columns (this is inclusive of connection charges). Given that a new column (present contract specification) has a design life of 30 years and given that Luton Borough Council has a stock of over 18,000 columns then the yearly budget to maintain a steady state should be in the region of £850,000 to £900,000 (this analysis excludes any columns on land designated as Housing Land). Whilst funding remains below this level the backlog of columns beyond their design life will continue to increase. It should be noted the design life of columns installed in the 60‟s and 70‟s and 80‟s was between 20 and 25 years.

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12/13 71. It should also be noted that even funding of the level required to maintain a balanced design life profile would not address the problem of the backlog, but it is officers‟ belief that this could be dealt with using a risk managed strategy based on continual assessment of the older stock.

72. The table below shows the current age profile of Luton‟s highways lighting column stock. (Housing columns are not included)

Age 0 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 25 26-30 30+ Totals range Overdue for Overdue for Overdue for (years) replacement replacement replacement - Potentially Structurally unsound Number 5,994 5,606 1,756 1,568 3,322 18,246 of columns % 32.8% 30.7% 9.6% 8.7% 18.2% 100.00 %

73. The street lighting programme of work is prioritised according to condition and reflects current capital and revenue budgets. Those lighting columns overdue for replacement will be re-tested in 2013 in order to assess their remaining life. Therefore, it is only possible to include a meaningful work programme for 2012/13 which is shown in the table below.

STREET LIGHTING REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME 2012/13

Street Lighting Programme for 2012/13 Road Number Ward Estimat of ed Cost columns (£) Churchill Road 6 Dallow 9,000 , Saints, Dallow Dunstable Road (Birch Link to Oakley Road) 62 115,000 and Grampian Way 33 Sundon Park 48,000 Laxton Close 11 Wigmore 16,000 Linley Dell 2 Wigmore 3,000 Nayland Close 3 Wigmore 4,500 Penda Close footpath 2 Northwell 3,000 , Barnfield Stockingstone Road 53 76,500 and High Town Biscot, Dallow and Telford Way 9 South 48,000 181 Annual Total 323,000

74. Once the testing process has been completed it will be possible to revert to a costed five- year Street Lighting Replacement Programme of work for subsequent years.

Traffic Management Act

75. Under the Traffic Management Act 2004 Local Highway Authorities are required to manage their road network to secure the expeditious movement of all traffic and to facilitate the same on the network of others. The Network Management & Congestion Strategy 2008-2012 was produced to comply with this duty.

76. During 2011/12 £40,000 was spent on this area of work. Extensive traffic surveys were Formatted: Position: Horizontal: 9.52 carried out in the vicinity of the Dunstable Road/Chaul End Lane roundabout along with cm, Relative to: Page, Vertical: -0.04 st an experimental shut down of the traffic signal control. Initially, this covered Tuesday 21 cm, Relative to: Paragraph

12/14 to Thursday 23rd June at peak times and this was made full-time from the beginning of November and the roundabout has been operating well. The only negative comments received have been from pedestrians. This element of the capital programme is required for delivery of the action plan associated with this strategy, accordingly in 2012/13 it is proposed to allocate £35,000 for the following: -

i. Removal of the traffic signals from the Dunstable Road/ Chaul End Lane roundabout and return to full-roundabout operation. Investigation into pedestrian facilities requirements in the area. ii. Investigate traffic improvements at the Three Horseshoes Roundabout (Priority 1 junction from Network Management & Congestion Strategy 2008-2012)

Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF)

77. Luton Borough Council‟s successful LSTF bid was based upon implementing two key principles to encourage more sustainable travel in and around Luton; firstly through improvement of the local walking /cycling and public transport networks and secondly the intensive application of Smarter Choices programme in workplaces, schools and directly to households.that includes incentives to encourage greater use of sustainable modes.

78. The improvements to the walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure are covered by LSTF Capital funding referred to earlier in this Appendix. The Smarter Choices programme is being delivered principally through LSTF Revenue Funding. Implementation of projects within the 1st year of funding in 2011/12 has primarily focused on supporting existing programmes of work which had lost funding due to reduction in central government funding, such as sustainable travel to schools (see Paras 80 to 84 below). Other areas of work funded have included;

i. Liftsharing – Continuing to promote Luton and Central Beds lift share web site. Working with employers to ensure that lift sharing is further supported by preferential parking on site, where possible. ii. Public Transport Improvements - We are currently in the process of delivering major public transport service and infrastructure improvements in Luton through the Luton Dunstable Busway major scheme, which will, along with related initiatives, significantly enhance the Luton public transport network. iii. Night time Economy Survey - Survey to find out who, how and where people travel from/to Luton Town Centre. iv. Independent travel for special needs- Sustainable travel training for Luton schools, based around building confidence (for parents & students) in route familiarity, sustainable travel options and communication skills. v. Eco – driving training for LBC and commercial bus drivers - Fuel savings of between 10 and 15% if eco-driving techniques are adopted. Project will be extended (with appropriate funding) to the cover LBC staff, Private Hire/Hackney carriage drivers and distribution and warehousing companies in Luton. vi. Safer walking routes- Safety improvements to „The Moor Path‟, including improved signage and additional CCTV. vii. Mobile camera parking enforcement - Mobile enforcement camera at schools to prevent illegal parking near to school gates. To keep bus lanes and cycle lanes free or cars. To keep traffic flowing in difficult to enforce areas. viii. Bus Shelter / RTPI- Upgrading bus shelters to facilitate the expansion of the RTPI network including REACT 3 facilities to benefit the visually impaired and generally increase bus patronage. Formatted: Position: Horizontal: 9.52 cm, Relative to: Page, Vertical: -0.04 cm, Relative to: Paragraph

12/15 ix. Seating Improvements in the Town Centre- Improvements to Street furniture in George Street to encourage walking and cycling.

79. For the following years 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15, the delivery of a Smarter Choices programme will be a key focus, to encourage a modal shift away from single occupancy car use and towards sustainable transport choices . Personalised Journey Planning Services on offer to both households and business within Luton. Other funded areas of work will be, but not exclusively, include;

i. Workplace Travel Plans – Creating a modal shift in travel to work by promoting the use of bus services, walking and cycling between people‟s homes, the town centre and other key employment areas. ii. Branding, Marketing and Promotion - Providing families and individual residents with information about sustainable travel, together with a range of Incentives to use or try alternatives to the car. iii. Personalised Journey Planning – Providing the tailor-made information and support to individuals so they can choose to walk, cycle and use public transport more often. iv. Station Travel Plans to bring together all the stakeholders with an interest in the rail stations within Luton (rail industry, LBC, passenger groups, bus and taxi operators, cyclists and others) to develop and agree common objectives and a coordinated approach to delivering them.

80. The LSTF has enabled us to continue promoting Sustainable Travel to Schools. Since the start of the project in July 2011 £160,000 has been spent on promotional activities including extending the LBC School Travel Plan officers contract to 31 March 2015, employing a full time Sustrans Bike It officer, Bike maintenance contact with Sustrans and other promotional activity.

81. The cycle training team has been re-branded and we have purchased a fleet of 100 cycles and two tricycles for cycle training. The fleet are maintained and transported through a contract with Sustrans. Bikeability cycle assemblies and Dr Bikes are offered before every Bikeability training course which engenders enthusiasm for the training and ensures the courses are full. This has ensured that we deliver the DfT Cycle Training grant allocation in full.

82. The Sustrans Bike It Officer is working intensively with 10 schools and keeps a watching brief on the 5 original Bike It schools. Performance in Education delivered „Travel and Me‟ play and workshops to 20 primary/junior schools in March. Other promotional activities have included Scooter training, pilot for Balance Bike training (Balance Buddies), Walk to school month in October, Cycle Santa, Walking and Cycling promotion in March.

83. In-line with the LSTF, during 2012/13 it is proposed to spend £197,500 of LSTF funding on promoting Sustainable Travel to Schools, it is proposed to allocate the budget as follows.

LSTF – Sustainable Travel to Schools Estimated cost

School Travel Plan Advisor and assistant £50k

Sustrans Bike It officer £60k

Bikes for Schools project £37k

Scooter Training/ Balance Bike Training (Balance Buddies) £3k

Promotional Activities designed to encourage walking £20k Formatted: Position: Horizontal: 9.52 cm, Relative to: Page, Vertical: -0.04 cm, Relative to: Paragraph

12/16 Promotional Activities designed to encourage cycling £20k

Promotional Activities designed to encourage other forms of £4.5k sustainable travel

Sustainable Travel to Schools Awards £3k

84. For 2012/13 we have been successful in our bid for £80,000 from the Department for Transport Bikeability Cycle Training grant fund for Level 1/2 and 3 Bikeability cycle training. We have also been provisionally granted a further £80,000 for Bikeability in both 2013/14 and 2014/15 but this may be dependent on results achieved.

MAJOR TRANSPORT SCHEMES

Luton Railway Station and surrounding area

85. During 2010/11 a substantial amount of work was carried out at and around including the opening of the replacement footbridge to High Town/Midland Road in October 2010, the new station multi-storey car park in January 2011 and the ground level route between the Station and Bute Street in March 2011. The work to lengthen the platforms also took place in Spring 2011, which will eventually help deliver increased capacity at the station.

86. Further improvements at the Midland Road entrance to the station are planned by opening up the entrance by Station House; these works are subject to a Public Inquiry following the publication of Compulsory Purchase Orders. The Public Inquiry is due to be held in March 2012.

87. A new Station Square is planned in front of the station entrance once the construction of the bus interchange and the bus only road in front of the station is completed. Proposals are being developed for a travel centre adjacent to the interchange which will include an information centre, travel planning centre, café and toilets. Plans for this are being funded through Luton‟s LSTF allocation.

88. Funding for a new internal footbridge and lifts to make the station DDA compliant is still available and Network Rail are being chased to progress this important project. We are also working with Network Rail to try to identify funding for a new station building.

Luton Dunstable Busway

89. The contract for design and construction of this dedicated Busway between , Dunstable and Luton town centre and onto was awarded in May 2010. Access points along the Busway will maximise the opportunities for buses to serve the three town centres from nearby residential areas and ensure that busway services are able to serve other important employment, shopping and education sites. The scheme is also capable of being extended to serve the growth area to the north of the conurbation.

90. In addition to a high quality segregated route, the scheme incorporates improved passenger facilities and features at over 200 stops on the local road network such as real-time passenger information, improved shelters, level boarding and off-bus ticketing. As such, the scheme will facilitate a step-change in the quality of public transport provision, contributing to an increase in public transport patronage and helping stem the traffic growth in the A505 corridor and around the town centres. It will also make a major contribution to the modal shift targets included in the Airport‟s Surface Access Strategy.

91. Good progress is being made with the design work now complete and construction of the project well underway. The Busway is due to open in April 2013. Formatted: Position: Horizontal: 9.52 Luton Town Centre Transport Scheme (LTCTS) cm, Relative to: Page, Vertical: -0.04 cm, Relative to: Paragraph

12/17 92. This scheme involves completion of the ring road around the northeast side of the town centre, together with traffic management measures on the north side of the town centre. The scheme initially also included a new transport interchange outside the rail station; this is now being delivered as part of the construction of the Luton Dunstable Busway and is being funded by GAF.

93. The scheme will be progressed in accordance with the wider Luton Town Centre Development Framework and facilitates development of the Station Quarter, Power Court and High Town East. Removal of extraneous traffic from Luton town centre will provide significant benefits to pedestrians and public transport users, as well as to service vehicles that need to access the town. Significant land parcels are in the process of being acquired from Network Rail, with advanced accommodation works already complete, including space provided for the road under the new station multi-storey car park.

94. Planning permission for the road has been granted (and subsequently renewed) and the CPOs/Orders for the road published. A Best and Final bid was submitted to the Department for Transport on 9 September 2011 and £15.85 million of DfT funding was provisionally approved in December 2011. A Public Inquiry to consider the CPO‟s was held in January/February 2012. Detailed design is currently being progressed and it is hoped that construction will commence in Summer 2013 with completion late 2014.

Northern Entrance to Luton Airport Parkway Station

95. Luton Airport Parkway station opened in 1999, and currently has one vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access to the south-west side off Gipsy Lane. The planned and Stirling Place development sites lie immediately to the north-east of the station. Use of the station, which is related to increased passengers at Luton airport, has grown from 1.9 million passengers per year (mppa) in 2004/05 to approx 9.5 mppa in 2011. The percentage of passengers using rail to get to and from the airport has increased from 16% to 22% over this period. Consequently there is peak period crowding at the existing single entrance.

96. The creation of a new northern entrance to Luton Airport Parkway station will improve access for airport passengers undertaking part of their journey by rail, and will be of particular benefit to passengers using the -bound (up-slow) line by reducing peak period crowding via the existing single entrance. In addition residents, employees and visitors to the Napier Park/Stirling Place mixed use development will benefit from the new station entrance. The two station entrances will eventually be connected by a new dedicated one-way bus route.

97. Construction of the new station is now substantially complete following some delays as a result of a change to the developers of the Stirling Place site and due to the approval processes by Network Rail and the train operator. It is hoped that the new (initially un- staffed) station entrance will be opened in May 2012.

M1 Junction 10a Improvement

98. In January 2009 the Council secured funding and appointed consultants to undertake engineering and environmental design to improve the existing M1 Junction 10a roundabout, which experiences significant queues and delays particularly at peak travel times. A high proportion of the existing employment sites in the south and east of Luton are accessed off Junction 10a including Vauxhall, Capability Green Business Park, London Luton Airport and the surrounding campus, and Butterfield. The Junction 10a improvements are also necessary to provide capacity for increased demand arising from development in this part of the town (including growth of the airport). In the last 4-5 years, the Highways Agency has submitted holding objections to various planning applications for key employment and mixed use development sites that will eventually provide around 17,000 new jobs in this area. Formatted: Position: Horizontal: 9.52 cm, Relative to: Page, Vertical: -0.04 cm, Relative to: Paragraph

12/18 99. Following public consultation in Summer 2009 on a number of options, the Council has engaged with key stakeholders in order to develop a preferred design solution. A public information exhibition on the preferred grade-separated junction solution was held in September 2010.

100. An initial bid for funding for this scheme from the Government‟s Regional Growth Fund was unsuccessful. However, a further bid was submitted and resulted in £19.5 million of government funding being confirmed, subject to completion of Due Diligence procedures.

101. Work is now progressing on taking the project through the Infrastructure Planning Commission process in order to obtain the necessary powers to implement the project. The pre-submission consultation was held in October/November 2011. Construction is currently programmed to start in Summer 2013 with completion in late 2014.

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