CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY

To: The Chair and Members of the Transport Committee

Meeting: 7 September 2017

Authority/Authorities Affected: All

EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL ITEM: No

REPORT OF THE LEAD OFFCER: TRANSPORT

MERSEY TUNNELS UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2017

1. PURPOSE OF REPORT

This report is aimed at supplementing the regular corporate quarterly performance report submitted to the Transport Committee, but providing a summary of key activities within the .

2. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that the Transport Committee note the contents of the report.

3. BACKGROUND

3.1 The details within this report provide an update of key activities at Mersey Tunnels. For details on specific performance, please refer to the corporate performance report.

Key Projects

3.2 Kingsway Rewire is progressing well following additional measures required to ensure appropriate asbestos management during the project were implemented. This £7m plus scheme is on target for completion in December 2017, and in the coming months members will start to see the introduction of the new LED lighting inside the Tunnel.

3.3 Toll System refresh is also progressing well and two lanes have been installed in Queensway (), as well as the relevant back office systems. Further work is planned in the coming months and will see installation on a lane by lane basis to ensure minimum disruption for the travelling public. The refreshed toll system is aimed at enhancing the customer experience in the lane, through improved automated coin machine and in lane LED messaging.

3.4 Moving forward, development as part of this refresh includes an enhanced Tunnels website, promoting available services for Fast tag users within such (due in early 2018) and in lane card payments through contactless technology. These will be installed once all toll lanes have been updated with the new toll system hardware.

3.5 Members should be aware these changes to the toll system also look to change the transaction process in our attended lanes. Historically, toll staff have simply issued change in these lanes, meaning the customer must then drive forward and make the actual toll payment in the basket. Moving forward, staff in the attended lanes will now take the payment for toll – with an aim of speeding up that transaction and making it easier for the customer.

Other Activities

3.6 Work around the potential for interoperability with the Mersey Gateway has been suspended at present at the request of the Mersey Gateway Crossing.

3.7 A review of traffic management and signage arrangements has seen a programme of works commenced aimed at improving the aesthetic appearance around the Tunnels and to ensure the journey is clear and well signed for the public – this includes sign renewal, removal and cleaning.

3.8 Work is also on-going looking at the communications inside both Tunnels. The current arrangements included a “leaky feeder” system which is now well beyond its life expectancy, and that is key for customer services such as the re-broadcasting of radio channels and mobile phone signals within the Tunnel – as well as our own internal radio communications. Officers are currently exploring how we improve this service for our customers at minimal cost to the organisation, even exploring potential revenue options.

3.9 Work has also progressed well on the design of a revised lane control system for use at both Tunnels. The current Queensway lane control system is out of service, and the Kingsway lane control beyond life expectancy, but operating. It is expected any refresh of lane control will also incorporated variable message signs to enhance communications with our customers.

3.10 The toll plaza roof at the Street exit of the has been renewed to improve safety and the customer experience whilst existing the Tunnel through this route.

4. RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

4.1. Financial

There are no direct financial implications associated with this report. At Period 3, June 2017, the Mersey Tunnels overall revenue spend is broadly in line with budget. Management will work to ensure that the outturn financial performance remains in line with the budget set.

4.2. Human Resources

There are no HR related issues associated with this report.

4.3. Physical Assets

Projects associated with the assets within Mersey Tunnels are summarised within this update report.

4.4. Information Technology

There are no issues associated with Information technology within this report.

5. RISKS AND MITIGATION

There are no key risks associated with this report.

6. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY IMPLICATIONS

As the report is for noting only and does not require any formal decisions, an Equality Impact Assessment has not been completed in this case.

7. COMMUNICATION ISSUES

The information contained within this report is linked closely to communication plans in key projects to ensure key customer and stakeholder engagement where relevant.

8. CONCLUSION

This report summarises key activities within the Mersey Tunnels to ensure Members are aware of topical and relevant issues, along with progress of activities included within the relevant service plans.

FRANK ROGERS Lead Officer: Transport

Contact Officer(s): Gary Evans, Head of Customer Delivery, Merseytravel, 0151 330 3502 Tony Killen, Head of Asset Management, Merseytravel, 0151 330 4561 Liz Storey, Corporate Communications Manager, Merseytravel, 0151 330 1151

Appendices: None

Background Documents: None