County Council’s Second Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 Year 1: Annual Progress Report

Making a difference August 2007 Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report Contacts and obtaining information

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The LTP2 Year 1 Annual Progress Report can be viewed at: ● www.somerset.gov.uk/ltp ● All libraries in the County ● All County and District Council offices.

A CD-Rom containing the document is available upon request. This document is also available on request in Braille, large print, tape and discs and can be translated into different languages; or we can provide a member of staff to discuss the details.

To obtain this document in an alternative format please contact: Margaret Turner on 01823 355924 or e-mail: [email protected]

If you would like to discuss Transport Policy issues in more detail, please contact: Transport Policy Manager: Stephen Walford on 01823 358244 or e-mail: [email protected]

Alternatively you may write to:

Strategic Planning Environment Department, 8 County Hall, Recycle Me Somerset Printed on Environmentally TA1 4DY friendly paper Contents

Page No Foreword from Portfolio Holder 1

1 Introduction 2

2 Overview of Progress 2-11

2.1 Finance 2

2.2 Performance in delivering our Objectives 3

2.2.1 Improve safety for all who travel 3-4

2.2.2 Reduce social exclusion and improve access 4-5 to everyday facilities

2.2.3 Reduce the growth of congestion and pollution 6-7 and improve health

2.2.4 Support sustainable economic growth in 7-9 appropriate locations

2.2.5 Protect and enhance the built and natural environment 9

2.3 Major Schemes progress 10-11

3 Monitoring and Managing our Performance 12

4 Looking Forward 13

Appendix 1 - Progress in delivering Second Local 14-18 Transport Plan Targets

Appendix 2 - LTP2 Programme Management 19

Feedback form 20-21 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report Foreword from Portfolio Holder

Our second Local Transport Plan has been assessed by the Government This annual progress report sets out the progress made in Year 1 of the as ‘Good’ representing a positive move for Somerset’s Transport. Local Transport Plan together with some of the ongoing proposals for the future delivery of our five year Second Local Transport Plan. The second Local Transport Plan is being delivered by a focussed selection of schemes using prescribed selection criteria. Good work Hazel Prior-Sankey: Portfolio – Holder has been achieved in the first year of the plan to develop robust (Planning, Transport and Waste) management processes that will help with scheme, programme and Local Transport Plan delivery. Performance Management processes are becoming embedded with a strong Performance Team now recruited.

Particular successes include the accelerated delivery of Demand Responsive Transport, with the result that 58% of Somerset parishes are now covered by ‘slinky’ buses. Key road safety targets are currently on track to be achieved and the establishment of the Somerset Road Safety Partnership is viewed as a key enabler to continue to improve the safety of Somerset’s community. The County’s first innovative route safety programme on the A37 was started and it was encouraging to see the level of contribution and participation towards this scheme from the community.

Passenger Transport has exceeded original patronage targets set due to greater than anticipated impact of the Concessionary Fares Scheme and we are now able to set more challenging targets. There do remain challenges due to the rural nature of the county and dependency on cars. Efforts are however being made to address the issues that affect the use of Passenger Transport.

Great work has been achieved over the last year enabling the launch of the Moving Forward programme to help reduce traffic congestion and pollution in Somerset.

1 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report 1. Introduction

This report sets out our progress in delivering transport improvements over the 2006/07 financial year, the first year of our five year Local Transport Plan. The short report provides several highlights from the first year and a brief look forward. 2. Overview of Progress 2.1 Finance Financial performance in Year 1 of the second Local Transport Plan (LTP2) was excellent, continuing our track record of delivering the transport programme within the available funding and minimising over or under spends as shown in fig 2.1.

Fig 2.1 LTP2 year 1 spend Summary

Allocation £000’s Outturn Spend £000’s Under (-)/ Over£000’s %Spend (outturn/revised%)

Integrated Transport 4,175 4,143 -32 99.2

Structural maintenance 13,301 13,279 -22 99.8

Bridges 2,298 2,389 91 103

Minor traffic management 228 191 -37 84

Street lighting 250 250 0 100

Total 20,252 20,252 0 100

2 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report

2.2 Performance in delivering our 2.2.1 - Improve safety for all who travel Objectives Progress in delivering targets Our Local Transport Plan has the following objectives: Somerset County Council are currently on track to meet targets for ● Improve safety for all who travel; reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our ● Reduce social exclusion and improve access to everyday facilities; roads, including specific targets for child casualties. The target for ● Reduce the growth of congestion and pollution and improve health; reducing slight injuries is currently not being met, with a slight ● Support sustainable economic growth in appropriate locations; and increase against the base figure. This small increase mirrors the ● Protect and enhance the built and natural environment. general situation for this target within the southwest.

Appendix 1 sets out in detail the indicators we are using to measure Road Safety Partnership delivery against the objectives and our progress to date. A new multi-agency Road Safety Partnership has been The graph below shows that performance against LTP2 Indicators in established; including the County Council, Avon and year 1 has been mixed. Somerset Constabulary, fire and rescue service, NHS, Year 1 Position on LTP2 Indicators magistrate courts and other partners with a shared priority of reducing road collisions and casualties.

A detailed programme of training and awareness activity is being delivered. A new branding has been agreed for the Partnership and 9 7 7 2 has been introduced on our first range of new publications. The Partnership has a new web site available at www.road safetysomerset.org.uk. 0 5 10 15 20 25 The first of a series of innovative route safety programmes is well Ahead Below underway, coordinating enforcement and education On-Track Need more info activity on the A37, including a stakeholder workshop that generated comprehensive media There are two targets where data is awaited before an assessment of interest. Driver awareness courses will be offered as Year 1 performance can be made: an alternative to prosecution. ● Change in area wide road traffic mileage –value from Government anticipated in Autumn 07. ● Modal share of journeys to work – data to be collated in questionnaire in Autumn 07.

Our progress in delivering each LTP2 objective follows. 3 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report

Urban Safety Management Studies To achieve a new focus in improving road safety in urban areas a programme of urban safety management studies for key Somerset towns has commenced. These studies consider the road safety problems in urban areas by assessing recorded injury accidents, looking at future developments and proposing strategies to reduce accident numbers across the urban areas, rather than looking at isolated sites. The studies for Taunton and have recently been completed and the study is approaching completion. Working with the Road Safety Partnership, these studies are expected to lead to the development of safety improvement schemes as well as road safety education and publicity strategies in the coming years. These will particularly focus on reducing vulnerable road user casualties. 2.2.2 - Reduce social exclusion and improve access to everyday facilities Progress in delivering targets Somerset County Council have accelerated our Demand Responsive Transport implementation programme. Progress towards our 5 year target will be swifter than originally profiled in the first three years of LTP2 with 67% of parishes being covered by a Demand Responsive Transport service.

Bus patronage is now increasing following the countywide introduction of the concessionary fares schemes and improved driver availability and reliability from First Group. More challenging target trajectories are to be proposed to the Government to reflect the changes attributable to the concessionary fare scheme.

Bus satisfaction targets are currently not being met – this target is largely in the hands of bus operators although planned expenditure on improvements to some bus services in Year 2 of LTP2 is predicted to have an impact on this target.

4 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report

Somerset County Council and the bus operators, are not on track to Local bus services have also been improved with “Quality Bus meet bus punctuality targets. We are working with the bus operators to Corridors” being established with First and South-west Coaches. ensure that performance increases as traffic priority measures, other Services 234 - – Chippenham, 267 - Frome – Bath, 375 - – highway interventions and parking enforcement speed up bus journeys. Bridgwater have been completed and work commenced on provision of buses for Services 54 - Yeovil – Taunton “Fast Bus”, 126 - Weston- Transporting Somerset Super-Mare – Wells and 30 Chard – Taunton. In addition, as part of the During 2006/7 Transporting Somerset increased demand responsive Fast Bus project feeder services between Yeovil railway station and transport in Somerset dramatically, with a major expansion of its some Yeovil town services have received new vehicles. Patronage on network in the Chard/, /West Somerset and Quantock these services has increased by between 5 and 13% on the same areas. This increased the percentage of parishes with demand period in preceding years (discounting natural growth caused by the responsive Transport (DRT) coverage to around 58%. At the same time free travel concession). To accompany these corridor and route passenger use rose from 4,300 per annum to around 72,000 per improvements infrastructure enhancement work is ongoing at annum. These door-to-door services allow much greater freedom to strategic bus stops. During 2006/07 there has been design work on travel for residents as well as access to a much wider variety of several interchanges, with construction due in 2007/08. There have services. In many places residents have gone from having no or very also been minor timetable changes to improve the service to the public. restrictive bus services to a variety of journey opportunities realising vast improvements in quality of life. Local area accessibility assessment The first local area assessment, where a detailed analysis of an area identified with poor accessibility to basic services is undertaken, has been completed for Bridgwater and the surrounding area. The assessment identified problems for communities accessing hospitals and post 16 education/evening classes. It is now being reviewed by key stakeholders and will be used to prepare action plans that will be delivered through partnership working.

5 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report

2.2.3 - Reduce the growth of congestion Many existing activities have been restructured to bring cycling, school and pollution and improve health and work place travel plans together along with new consumer marketing and communications expertise. In LTP2 Year 1 these Progress in delivering targets included supporting employers’ work travel plan activities with over Somerset County Council are broadly on track to meet our targets for 100 Repair&Ride days and encouraging Bike2Work days; the promotion increasing cycling, although the last year’s figures are slightly lower of the annual Somerset Bike Week public events and the Schools “Walk than forecast. The contribution of ‘Moving Forward’ and the planned on Wednesday” events. capital programme of cycle infrastructure improvements will help to Somerset County Council has worked closely with schools to achieve the LTP2 target. accelerate production of school travel plans where the schools set out In accordance with Government guidance Somerset County Council has how they intend to reduce car travel to their sites. 68 were completed used annual school census data to review our target for reducing car in year 1 which trebles the number completed the previous year. We are travel to schools. Census data is showing that the Government's desire currently on-track for achieving our all-schools target by 2010. to increase parental choice, is leading to a reduction in the number of Consumer branding has been used to underpin all of the Smarter children that live within walking distance of their school, and we are Choices activities. Alongside this we undertook research to therefore setting a standstill target for travel by walking, cycling and understand better the motivations, intentions and propensity for car public transport to schools. This is challenging in the context of the travel behaviour change in our local target market, so that we can likely increase in travel distance which will force car travel. measure campaign effectiveness over time.

Somerset County Council are currently on track to meet our targets for This approach to campaign development has resulted with a well- improving air quality at sites where pollution from road traffic is prepared start in Year 2 to commence the launch of the high intensity exceeding Government health thresholds. The anticipated increases in ‘Moving Forward’ programme. The website for this programme can be congestion are not as large as Somerset County Council had predicted found at www.movingsomersetforward.co.uk. in the LTP2, largely due to the planned growth in housing and other development happening more slowly than originally anticipated.

‘Moving Forward’ Programme This is an ambitious new programme that includes activities to tackle congestion and pollution in Somerset through promoting ‘smarter travel choices’ such as walking, cycling, public transport, car share and flexible working through travel plans and consumer marketing campaigns.

6 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report

Highway schemes 2.2.4 - Support sustainable economic As well as tackling congestion, highway schemes help deliver many of growth in appropriate locations our LTP2 objectives.

A significant proportion of highway infrastructure schemes planned for Progress in delivering targets The Governments criteria used for measuring road condition has implementation throughout the LTP2 period are at early stages of recently changed. We are awaiting collection of sufficient data to allow development requiring feasibility investigations to confirm viability. targets for road condition to be set appropriately. Particularly notable highway infrastructure schemes that have been Performance against the target for ease of use of rights of way delivered in LTP2 Year 1 include: network has shown a reduction during Year 1, however the target is ● Completion of the enhancements to High Street (South), Shepton measured by surveying just 5% of the network. Our full rights of way Mallet network condition survey due to finish in summer 2007 will be used to ● Construction of strategic sections of Taunton’s cycle network help set works programmes to ensure increased access to the network. between St John’s Retail Park and Winkworth Way, The indicator for Pedestrian activity in Taunton has been recently set ● Completion of the link between Gipsy Lane and Corkscrew Lane in based on pedestrian surveys carried out in September and May. Taunton and Following benchmarking with other local authorities in the region a ● Provision of a new shared off-road cycleway/footway along target of 10% increase by 2011 has been set. Wellington Road in Taunton between Castle St and SCAT/Castle School Asset Management Transport Asset Management Plan (TAMP) Somerset’s highway assets have a current asset value of £7600m and it is vital that we manage and maintain them carefully and for the long term.

Somerset County Council have made excellent progress in the development of our Transport Asset Management Plan (TAMP) The Governments assessment of our TAMP in the LTP2 was excellent and Somerset has attained national recognition at the annual highway maintenance conference in June 2007.

The principles behind good asset management such as whole life costing, longer scheme programmes, objectively prioritised schemes, integrated working and taking into account maintenance needs at scheme design stage are already being used in service delivery and financial planning in advance of the plan being finalised.

7 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report

Highway maintenance ● The Council was nominated for the prestigious 2007 Local The County Council has funded a £4m programme of surface dressing Government Chronicle Awards (Innovation Category) for its Highway to supplement reduced Government funding received for highway Scheme Proposal Register, the second national accolade for the maintenance. Targeted investment has achieved improvements in the system, which enables better planning, and co-ordination of highway network aiming to reach the Government target of network highway proposals thereby cutting disruption congestion and recovery by 2011. pollution associated with highways works.

The developing Transport Asset Management Plan has enabled us to ● Somerset County Council’s programme for improving the operation focus investment to not only maintain road condition but to include and coordination of traffic signals in Bridgwater, Taunton & Yeovil other strategic objectives in scheme design and implementation such continues. At the same time we are updating equipment to enable as incorporating highly reflective roads studs and altering road markings the future implementation of more ‘intelligent’ traffic management to contribute to road safety whilst resurfacing a worn out road. system including the use of traffic signals to respond immediately to traffic incidents and minimise the resulting congestion. Traffic Management A wide range of improvements have been carried out to ensure a more Bridge Maintenance efficient management of the network, including: The Bridges Structural Maintenance Programme saw another year ● Approved use of Emergency Traffic Management (ETM) procedures where urgent retaining wall problems were a key issue. Old masonry to enable a more rapid response in making emergency highway walls are an important feature of the highway network and failures and defects safe including for example, traffic accidents, potholes, urgent interventions are on the increase. Different and innovative broken manhole covers, oil spillage. We will be able to reduce solutions are sought and used successfully, but often ‘old-fashioned’ congestion caused by these situations by keeping traffic lanes masonry repair and reconstruction is appropriate. running without a full road closure. Somerset will be the first Local Somerset County Council is also co-ordinating the regional effort to Authority to provide ETM in the UK, outside of the Boroughs. compare performance in the bridges and highways structures area. ● Introduction of more controls over contractors works, better National Bridge Condition Indicators (BCIs) have been introduced in an co-ordinated works by utility companies and issues such as timing attempt to provide a consistent measure of condition of individual and positioning of skips to reduce disruption. bridge and highway structures and ‘bridge’ stocks more generally. Early indications have suggested that BCIs are giving quite variable ● Working closely with the District Councils on parking enforcement. and subjective results. Somerset is setting up a means of measuring All of the District Councils are now committed to combine the progress of structural improvement measured with BCIs in relation to enforcement of on street parking with their existing off-street operations both investment and numbers of structures dealt with over time. This and legal processes to enable this will be pursued in due course. initiative has won the support of the 14 other southwest authorities that propose to contribute data to the monitoring exercise. It is hoped

8 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report

that this work will contribute to the national debate on performance 2.2.5 - Protect and enhance the built and measures for highway structures and how to measure the beneficial natural environment effects of structural maintenance investment. Somerset Biofuel Project Somerset County Council has gained reputation in the area of public This is a flagship project, spearheading the use of high blend engagement; which led to it being invited to present papers on the bioethanol (E85 – 85% bioethanol and 15% petrol) in the UK. subject to both the Institution of Highways and Transport and the The Council is now the UK co-ordinator for the Bioethanol for Institution of Civil Engineers at the end of 2006/07. Sustainable Transport (BEST) Project. The Somerset Biofuel Project has achieved and exceeded its targets by installing five E85 fuelling Freight Management stations, 41 Flexi Fuel Vehicles (FFV’s) in local fleets, including 10 within In addition to our existing maps showing preferred freight routes, the Council’s own fleet, and planning consent has been granted for Somerset County Council are undertaking a project to provide detailed bioethanol production plant in Somerset. electronic mapping that highlights parts of the road network that are The Council continues to work, through the BEST Project, to increase unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles. In partnership with the freight the number of FFVs and use of E85 in Somerset and to lobby industry through the freight quality partnership (FQP) and together government for appropriate levels of support to enable price parity of with Ordnance Survey Somerset County Council hope to inform the ethanol with other road transport fuels. satellite navigation industry so that future 'satnav' software and devices will have the capability to direct HGVs appropriately.

This is a problem that faces the whole region and Somerset is leading discussions about how to tackle this issue on a regional scale.

Developer schemes There have been many works carried out by developers delivering new or improved highway infrastructure that meets, in whole or part, with our LTP objectives. Provision and delivery of this has been achieved in parallel to the LTP funded programme through Somerset County Council interventions in the planning process and through partnership with developers. Of the estimated £16 million of highway infrastructure completed by developers within the period April 2006 to March 2007 inclusive, just over £3 million of this infrastructure was considered to have contributed directly towards our LTP objectives.

9 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report

2.3 Major Schemes progress Colley Lane Southern Access Road Bridgwater Significant progress on surveys for our four current major schemes This scheme will open up access to new development areas and reduce has been made during 2006/07and progress is ongoing with respect to heavy goods traffic causing congestion on the main route into land acquisition for the major schemes in both Taunton and Bridgwater. Bridgwater. Discussions have been opened with various landowners affected by the works in particular the concrete works to the north of East of Taunton Park & Ride the . This scheme is to be funded solely from developer This scheme will play a key role in tackling congestion in Taunton and contributions. will enable the project Taunton town centre regeneration programme to proceed. The scheme is complementary to the Silk Mills scheme. Work is progressing towards assembling information for a planning application to be submitted in September 2007. Design elements have been commissioned in 2006/07 for the highway design and building elements to be sufficient for inclusion within a planning application. We have also commissioned air quality, noise assessment, landscape design, and traffic modelling. A report of proposed mitigation measures has also been completed. It is aimed to open this scheme in 2009/2010.

10 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report

Taunton Third Way Taunton Northern Inner Distributor Road This scheme, along with Taunton Northern Inner Distributor Road will This scheme will also be fully funded by Government and developer help tackle congestion in Taunton, play a key role in the town’s contributions. regeneration programme and will enable further improvements to the Some elements of the geotechnical and contamination surveys have quality of the towns retail area. The scheme will now be fully funded by taken place in 2006/07 with further surveys to be undertaken in Government and developer contribution. 2007/08 once access to land has been secured. Highway design, air and noise assessments, together with traffic Structures and drainage concept design have been commissioned modelling landscaping and bridge design are being progressed with a together with junction options appraisal for the junction with view to submitting a planning application in September 2007. Staplegrove Road.

Highway design, air and noise assessments, together with traffic modelling and landscaping will be commissioned in early 2007/08.

11 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report 3. Monitoring and Managing our Performance Governance Arrangements and Performance Management The Performance Board meets on a quarterly basis and consists of LTP Processes target holders along with key staff involved in scheme delivery. Discussions regarding scheme progression and target reporting take Strong governance arrangements are now in place to ensure appropriate place with the objective of ensuring a programme of schemes is in and adequate decision-making drives delivery of the LTP2 in Somerset place to allow LTP target delivery. forward. The formal governance arrangements take advantage of existing reporting structures where appropriate. Recommendations from the Performance Group are taken to the LTP2 Sponsoring Group. These will include recommendations for entry into the scheme programme, funding realignments, or, if required, scheme Scheme Sign Off abandonment. The Sponsoring Group act as a scrutiny body to ensure (as per delegated powers) a balanced LTP2 programme is in place to achieve the objectives and outcomes set out in the LTP2.

The ultimate decision regarding scheme sign off lies with the Corporate Director: Environment in consultation with the Planning, Transport & LTP2 Sponsoring Group Waste Portfolio Holder, with delegated powers given to the Head of Physical Regeneration and the Group Manager for Transport Development.

As part of the Directorate’s Transformation for Excellence Programme a project has taken place to ensure that the processes needed to manage LTP2 Performance Board the LTP2 programme are robust and clearly understood. An overview of the process is in Appendix 2; sub process charts are also available if required.

Benchmarking Performance Major Scheme Integrated Maintenance The County Council is leading work to benchmark progress and Delivery Transport Delivery Delivery performance between local authorities including chairing the National Highways Design Best Value Benchmarking Club and establishing a national core list of public survey questions on satisfaction with transport provisions and services to ensure rigorous and well-rounded testing of public satisfaction.

12 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report 4. Looking Forward

Somerset County Council will continue to build on the excellent work was assessed as excellent in the Government’s assessment of our established during LTP1 and the first year of LTP2. Particular emphasis LTP2. There are however several areas that can be improved in the will be placed on those targets currently not performing as well as current methodology and it is planned to carry out a review of this expected. A focus on bus punctuality targets will be made with bus methodology during Year 2 to ensure there remains a good punctuality surveys being carried out in the early part of Year 2. These prioritisation technique for the remainder of LTP2 which will maximise surveys will be looking at opportunities to install highway engineering the selection of those schemes that represent the best value for or enforcement that will have a positive impact on bus punctuality. It is money for the Council’s investment against achievement of LTP2 also believed that this work will result in a positive improvement to the objectives. bus satisfaction target. We will also be improving information and A procurement exercise is currently underway to purchase a Schemes customer feedback which will drive improvement. Management Database. The system currently used for the Technology is moving forward at a rapid pace in the field of traffic data management of capital engineered schemes is in the ownership of our collection. There is huge scope for improvements to this service by service provider and we wish to transfer ownership of this system to taking advantage of this new technology. A cross cutting service the County Council and to explore ways this data can be used more review will be carried out during Year 2 to assess the Directorate’s widely. The procurement exercise is at the Tender Evaluation stage and current and future requirements for traffic data management. is currently on target for system implementation during Year 3 of LTP2. It is also anticipated that the system will manage more than just Environmental performance is becoming increasingly important for all the capital engineered schemes but will also provide a tool for organisations at a global, national and local level. We will be further management of any significant projects requiring formal project developing our environmental monitoring programme to ensure we can management within the directorate. respond to new requirements such as carbon footprint monitoring. The County Council is currently at a negotiation stage with its The Council is fully committed to the delivery of the Government’s preferred bidder under the ISiS project (Improving Services in localisation agenda. An important first step has been the Somerset). The transformation element of this partnership is expected establishment of 5 local area boards across the County. We are fully to yield rewards for Highways and Transportation in the first wave of committed to integrating the requirements of LTP delivery with the the Customer Access project. emerging localisation agenda and will be developing our consultation further with the boards on local needs and priorities over the coming months.

A review of the transport scheme prioritisation criteria and process will occur during Year 2. Schemes are selected for inclusion into the programme according to their anticipated contribution to the LTP2 objectives within a value for money framework. The score-carding assessment that has been used since LTP2 programme preparation

13 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report Appendix 1 Progress in delivering Second Local Transport Plan Targets

Mandatory Definitions Actual and Trajectory Data 06/07 Comment re 06/07 Position Indicators 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Position *

Road Condition (1) Principal Roads - Actual Figures n/a 30.36% 5.70% 5.60% The original trajectory reflects that included in the LTP2. The (% of network in BVPI223 revised trajectory reflects the Best Value CPA requirements. need of further Original Trajectory 29.6% 29.6% 29.2% 28.8% 28.4% 28.0% This years outturn is well below the target set in LTP2 due to the investigation) Provisional change in methodology last year from reporting red and amber only road condition when the targets were set, to now just reporting red. This now gives two years results based on the same Proposed Revised 5.70% 5.70% 5.70% 5.70% methodology but unfortunately quartiles cannot be calculated due Trajectory to some unreliable results from scanner surveys nationally. If quartiles were to be applied, we would expect to be in the top quartile for this indicator and would, through our investment programme, expect to remain there.

(2) Classified, non- Actual Figures n/a 6.66% 6.67% 7.61% The original trajectory reflects that included in the LTP2. The principal, roads - revised trajectory reflects the Best Value CPA requirements. BVPI224a Original Trajectory Change in survey methodology from CVI to SCANNER in recent years mean no targets have been set for this indicator as no Proposed Revised 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% 8.00% baseline exists. The quantity of roads surveyed, split between B Trajectory and C class roads has changed each year.

(3) Unclassified Actual Figures n/a 10.94% 14.97% 15.42% This years BVPI outturn has been calculated based on 100% of the roads - BVPI224b network surveyed over the past four years whereas previous Original Trajectory Not more Not more Not more Not more Not more Not more indicators have reported on the most recent 25% of the network than 15% than 15% than 15% than 15% than 15% than 15% surveyed. The outturn of 15.42% is greater than the target of not exceeding 15% but is measured on a different survey length containing historical survey data and is therefore not comparable. 1994-98 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Total killed and Reduce KSI by 35% Actual Figures 380 352 345 344 325 Significant inroads have been made to reduce the KSI totals which seriously injured 94 - 98 baseline are occurring principally on the rural A and B network. This year has casualties - % Reduction (-) -10.5 -14.47 seen the establishment of the Somerset Road Safety Partnership and BVPI99(a) from base a move towards whole routes and Urban Safety Management treatments being undertaken. Best Practice identified from other Trajectory 345 336 314 292 270 247 Local Authorities with Beacon status for Road Safety indicates that this is the best way forward for addressing the KSI problem.

Child killed and To reduce child KSI Actual Figures 33 21 33 24 20 A reduction to Child KSIs is now reported. However, as the annual seriously injured by 50% by 2010 number of KSIs and associated reduction is relatively small it casualties - % Reduction (-) -37.5 -39.39 would not take many accidents to alter the percentage change BVPI99(b) from base significantly.

Trajectory 30 27 24 21 18 16 14 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report Mandatory Definitions Actual and Trajectory Data 06/07 Comment re 06/07 Position Indicators 1994-98 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Position *

Total slight To maintain casualty Actual Figures 2,190 2,101 2,103 2,293 2,221 The relatively small increase in the number of slight accidents casualties - levels at 2001-2004 totals mirrors the general situation in the South West. Slight BVPI99(c) % reduction (-) / injury accidents are more likely to occur in the urban areas with a increase(+) from 4.5 1.42 lower speed limit and the new Urban Safety Strategies will be base addressing this problem.

Trajectory 2,190 2,190 2,190 2,190 2,190 2,190

2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

Total local Thousands of Actual Figures 6,356.7 5,976.3 n/a 7,794.9 First reliability and driver availability is much higher than it has public transport passenger journeys been and confidence is returning slowly. Concessionary Fares has patronage in (i.e. boardings) per Original Trajectory 6,736.1 6,769.8 6,803.6 6,837.4 also seen an increase in numbers. The improvements in passenger target of which year in the authority transport are also attributable to increased investment and the number of bus Proposed Revised 6,275.8 6,707.7 8,299.4 8,931.6 9,157.4 9,415.3 various service improvements put in place through the LTP2 and passenger Trajectory the Passenger Transport Strategy Review. journeys - BVP1102 Actual Figures 6,356.7 5,976.3 6,565.4 7,426.3 First reliability and driver availability is much higher than it has been and confidence is returning slowly. Concessionary Fares has Original Trajectory 6,452.0 6,483.8 6,515.6 6,547.4 also seen an increase in numbers. The improvements in passenger transport are also attributable to increased investment and the Proposed Revised 6,002.8 6,420.2 7,900.0 8,500.0 8,700.0 8,900.0 various service improvements put in place through the LTP2 and Trajectory the Passenger Transport Strategy Review.

Satisfaction with Percentage of all Actual Figures 51% n/a 60% 51% Satisfaction with buses is largely in the hands of the operators. local bus respondents However, investment planned in public transport services by the services - satisfied with local Trajectory n/a 55% n/a n/a 58% n/a Council should have a corresponding increase in satisfaction. BVPI104 bus service

Footway Actual Figures n/a 21.14% 36% 31.0% Each year only 50% of the reported network is surveyed and there condition - is scope for the results to yo-yo. This years results are above BVPI187 (% of Original Trajectory 20.0% 19.0% not more targets set due to investment being targeted at non-reportable the category 1, than 28% footpaths (96% of the total footpath network) where the need is 1a and 2 footway Proposed Revised greater. Intervention levels for defects within our inspection network where Trajectory regime do not correspond to the BVPI survey triggers and unless structural there is a change in national policy, this measure is unlikely to maintenance significantly improve. should be considered.)

15 Mandatory Definitions Actual and Trajectory Data 06/07 Comment re 06/07 Position Position * Indicators 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

LTP1 - An To increase the % of Actual Figures n/a n/a 35% 58% The programme to increase Demand Responsive Transport has accessibility parishes covered by been escalated in the early years of LTP2. target Demand Responsive Trajectory 44% 53% 62% 71% 80% Transport Proposed Revised 44% 62% 67% 71% 80% Trajectory

LTP2 - Change in For the total growth in Actual Figures n/a 4,132 4139 2006 value not yet available from DfT. Expected in Autumn. area wide road vehicle kilometres traffic mileage (mvkm) between 2004 Trajectory 4,230 4,280 4,330 4,380 4,430 and 2010 to not exceed 7.2% - based on a 2004 N/A baseline of 4,132mvkm and 2010 target of below 4,430mvkm. 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11

LTP3 - Cycling To increase cycling Actual Figures n/a 889,074 912,516 902,852 There was a significant increase in 2005/06 which has reduced trips (annualised trips by 10% from slightly in 2006/07. This reduction can be attributed to 3 specific index) 2004/05 base % from base 100 103 102 sites. Preston Rd Yeovil, Blackbrook Way Taunton and French Weir Taunton. Maintenance Improvements to the cycle path at French Trajectory 101.7 103.3 105.0 106.7 108.3 110.0 Weir are be carried out. Taunton cricket ground shows a significant increase in 05/06.

LTP4 - Mode Share of journeys by Actual Figures 26.51% 31.44% 30.97% 29.20% In accordance with the DfT guidance we have reviewed our target share of car (including vans taking into consideration the new PLASC data collection journeys to and taxis), excluding Original Trajectory not more not more not more not more methodology. This revised target is challenging in the context of school (Primary car share journeys than 28% than 28% than 28% than 28% the Government's desire to increase parental choice, which will and Secondary) Proposed Revised inevitably lead to a reduction in the number of children that live Trajectory 29.20% 29.20% 29.20% 29.20% within walking distance of their school

LTP5 - Bus % of buses starting Actual Figures 91% 95% 79% 79% Original target was set at the national standard minimum prior to punctuality route on time data collection. Target reset as a result of surveys. Target is indicator Original Trajectory 95% 95% 95% 95% 95% expected to increase as traffic priority measures and other highway interventions speed up bus journeys. Proposed Revised 95% 82% 85% 87% 91% Trajectory

16 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report

Mandatory Definitions Actual and Trajectory Data 06/07 Comment re 06/07 Position Indicators 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Position *

% of buses on time Actual Figures n/a 76.5% 76.5% Target is expected to increase as traffic priority measures and at intermediate other highway interventions speed up bus journeys. turning points Original Trajectory 76.5% 76.5% 76.5% 76.5% 76.5%

Proposed Revised 76.5% 76.5% 82% 85% 87% 91% Trajectory

% of buses on time Actual Figures n/a 79% 79% Target is expected to increase as traffic priority measures and at non-timing points other highway interventions speed up bus journeys Trajectory 79% 79% 81% 85% 86% 87%

LTP8 - An air Air Quality Actual Figures 42.5ug/m3 42.5ug/m3 41.9ug/m3 41.88ug/m3 Air Quality is on track with slight improvements to the two Taunton quality target sites. The Yeovil site however, is showing a slight reduction in Air related to traffic Trajectory 42.08ug/m3 41.66ug/m3 41.24ug/m3 40.82ug/m3 40.4ug/m3 40ug/m 3 Quality. Local Indicators Local Definitions Actual and Trajectory Data 06/07 Comment re 06/07 Position Indicators 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Position *

Accessibility To increase the Actual Figures n/a n/a 7,095 72,269 As the target for 2006 has been exceeded - future trajectory has target LPI 1 number of passenger been reset, with the overall target remaining the same. journeys using Original Trajectory 27,495 42,495 57,495 72,495 87,481 Demand Responsive Transport Proposed Revised 27,495 80,000 82,000 85,000 87,481 Trajectory Modal Share of To reduce Single Actual Figures N/A The data for this target is to be collected in the Highways and Journeys to Occupancy Vehicle N/A Transport survey in 2007. Work - LPI2 use by 4% Trajectory 53.5% 53.0% 52.0% 51.0% 50.0% 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Ease of use of Increase the ease of Actual Figures 39.2% 50.2% 63.3% 55.6% The target set in LTP2 for 06/07 was 69%. The actual for 06/07 was 55.6% compared rights of way - use of the rights of to 63.3% for 05/06. It is considered that this unexpected level of variance can be LPI3 (BV178) way network to 84% Trajectory 63% 69% 74% 78% 81% 84% attributed to the small percentage random sample that is used for this indicator (minimum 5% of network length - 2.5% in May and November). To counter this it has been agreed that for 07/08, and potentially each year thereafter, that a 10% random sample survey shall be undertaken with the additional 5% being surveyed equally in August and February. This increase in sample size should provide a more reliable result for the future. The full network survey is nearing completion and this has helped to inform not only the PROW database to help improve maintenance process efficiency, but also to issue work programmes to contractors. These factors combined with LTP2 investment will have a significant positive influence in our attempt to reach the 74% target set for 07/08. 17 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report

Local Definitions Actual and Trajectory Data 06/07 Comment re 06/07 Position Indicators 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Position Volume of HGV Reduction in HGV's Actual figures per 118,640 114,891 116,620 Trajectory has been reviewed and updated to include just non- Traffic on Non- on non-strategic LTP2 strategic routes. Previous baseline data had included strategic strategic Routes routes by 6% on routes also. The actuals have also been adjusted to reflect the - LPI4 2003 baseline Actual figures 83,223 77,675 81,806 82,717 non strategic routes also. corrected July 07

Original Trajectory 116,606 116,606 115,589 114,572 113,556 112,539 111,522

Proposed Revised 81,796 81,796 81,083 80,369 79,657 78,943 78,230 Trajectory

2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Congestion Taunton Actual Figures 1,334 1,455 The anticipated increases in congestion in Taunton are not as (Average Vehicle large as had been predicted in LTP2, largely due to housing growth Delay) - LPI5 Trajectory 1,754 1,886 2,018 2,150 2,282 2,414 rates being less than predicted. Taunton

Yeovil Actual Figures 1,183 1,190 The anticipated increases in congestion in Yeovil are not as large as had been predicted in LTP2, largely due to housing growth Trajectory 1,440 1,521 1,602 1,682 1,763 1,844 rates being less than predicted.

Pedestrian Increase in Actual Figures 143,690 The target has been set based on pedestrian surveys carried out in activity in pedestrian activity in Sept and May. Following benchmarking with other SW local Taunton Town Taunton town centre Trajectory 143,690 147,282 150,875 154,467 158,059 authorities a target of 10% for the duration of TP2 has been set. Centre - LPI6 of 10% based on This also takes into account a reduction in the latest pedestrian 2006/07 value survey carried out.

* 06/07 Position: Key to status

Target on track Progress ahead of target Progress below target

18 Somerset County Council Second Local Transport Plan Year 1: Annual Progress Report Appendix 2

Scheme ready LTP2 initial for delivery programme

Scheme approval Scheme list Approved Schemes put into 5 year Schemes Assemble list rejection, sign-off for approval scheme list 5 year programme programme developed process i Scheme proposal i Officer advice protfolio club PI target on current advice on holder advice SC delivery current Candidate Reserve Scheme Programme programme scheme Pool Pool

Revised list Initial Quarterly review of schemes assessment of schemes

Area Scheme Updated to solution rejected interested parties Key

External Activity Internal Deliverable Deliverable

Activity with Decision i Drill down Link to Information

19 ✃

Having read the report, we would be grateful if you would spare a few minutes to let us know your views about our action taken to deliver transport improvements in Somerset. This will help us understand if we are meeting your needs, and if there are particular areas where you are not satisfied with progress made.Please answer the following questions and return this page to us by 31 December 2007.

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Second Local Transport Plan, Year1: Annual Progress Report - Environment FAO: Margaret Turner Somerset County Council County Hall Taunton Somerset TA1 4BR

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Please call, Margaret Turner on 01823 355924 or e-mail: [email protected]