PTE/12/92 Cabinet 12 December 2012

Newcourt and Marsh Barton Railway Stations

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment

Please note that the following recommendations are subject to consideration and determination by the Cabinet (and confirmation under the provision s of the Council's Constitution) before taking effect.

Recommendation: It is recommended that: (a) the layout plans for the Newcourt and Marsh Barton railway stations, parking facilities and access routes as shown on drawing nos B2300109-NCS-G4/CV.DGRG/0152 and B2300109-MBS-G4/CV.DRG/0252 be approved; and (b) a detailed planning application be submitted together with detailed design and cost estimate for each new station and access route.

1. Summary

The next 10-15 years will be a time of rapid growth and in order for cities like to be economically competitive with other UK cities, it must have an efficient transport system. The existing road network is nearing capacity and the County Council is keen to encourage increased use of alternative modes of transport to get more people into the city in the future. Exeter and the sub region is very well served by rail, giving people living and working in the capital competitive journey times to a choice of destinations all across the city.

The Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan and Exeter City Council’s Core Strategy has identified new stations at Newcourt and Marsh Barton as critical infrastructure which are needed to help manage demand and support growth in the city in the period to 2026. This report seeks Cabinet approval to proceed with detailed planning applications for the two new stations.

2. Background

The Devon Local Transport Plan identifies the need for an effective transport system in order to support economic growth – including new homes - and enable safe, sustainable access to jobs, retail and leisure opportunities. Exeter City Council’s Core Strategy includes major strategic housing allocations at Monkerton and Hill Barton (2,500 homes), and at Newcourt (3,500 homes); these site are both located close to the rail network.

While the main highway corridors into the city are at or close to capacity throughout the day, the local rail network is an under used resource. There are more stations and lines than almost any other city of Exeter’s size, which give access to ten market and coastal towns in Devon. There is also evidence of train travel becoming an increasingly popular mode of travel with passenger numbers increasing by 53% in the last five years.

The Devon Metro initiative was developed to help the local rail network fulfil its potential by improving the capacity and quality of the service provided. New stations were proposed at Newcourt, Hill Barton and Marsh Barton to serve new and existing residential and employment areas. The initiative formed a central component of the Local Transport Plan Exeter Strategy, following on from the new station already approved at Cranbrook.

The Newcourt and Marsh Barton stations are currently in development as they serve new housing which is complete or under construction, and can be progressed without rail infrastructure changes. At Newcourt the development area encompasses around 3,500 houses and substantial employment land, as well as being close to Exeter Chiefs Sandy Park Stadium. At Marsh Barton the station will serve the industrial estate and other employment sites, Riverside Valley Park, and highly populated areas further afield including Alphington and St Leonards area.

3. The Station Proposals

A Memorandum of Understanding is in place between the County Council, Network Rail and First Great Western to promote effective co-ordination and co-operation between the three organisations in the development of the Devon Metro scheme, including plans for the new stations. Following detailed study work, the location of each station has been defined and outline designs prepared based on topographical, geotechnical and environmental surveys.

First Great Western has indicated that they would be able to serve the new stations by including stops at the stations in local services on the Exmouth and Paignton lines. Recent survey work has also confirmed that it is possible to adjust the timetable to accommodate these extra stops. In addition, the Department for Transport, and the four Greater Western franchise bidders, have been made aware of the need for the successful bidder to serve the new stations during the course of the new franchise.

Newcourt Railway Station

The station is to be located adjacent to the open space area immediately to the south of Liberty Way, in accordance with the masterplan for the former Royal Naval Stores Depot site, which is part of the Newcourt strategic allocation.

The railway in this area is single track between Exmouth and Topsham and forms the northern half of the Exmouth line. The station is to be located between Digby and Sowton halt and Topsham but north of the M5. The station will consist of a single platform 124 metres long, allowing for future train lengthening. The platform will include a shelter, ticket machine and customer information systems as well as full lighting and CCTV security systems.

Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be provided from Liberty Way and both ends of the open space area and will include secure cycle parking. A small drop off area and some limited parking for disabled people will be provided off Liberty Way. Passive provision is being incorporated at this stage for a link across the railway, which will provide access to planned development east of the railway in the longer term.

Although primarily serving residents and employees in the Newcourt masterplan area, it is anticipated that the station will also be used by rugby fans in combination with Digby and Sowton halt as part of the Match Day Access Strategy. Preliminary design work is being progressed to upgrade the footpath from Old Rydon Lane to the station to ensure that a convenient route for pedestrians is provided so that on match days rugby fans use routes away from the residential properties. Upgrading the footpath will involve the widening, surfacing and lighting of the route. This will be delivered using Local Transport Plan walking and cycling programme funding but will not form part of the planning application for the station.

Approval is sought for the layout in Newcourt Plan no. B2300109-NCS-G4/CV.DGRG/0152 to be used as a basis to submit a detailed planning application for the station.

Marsh Barton Railway Station

The station is to be located south of Clapperbrook Lane overbridge. This is on the eastern side of the Marsh Barton trading estate, but is centrally located, well connected to a large number of jobs north and south of the station. It also has excellent links to the walking and cycling network via the Riverside Valley Park, providing connections to County Hall and the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital.

The railway in this area is double track and forms the main line from Exeter St Davids towards Newton Abbot and Plymouth. The station is to be located between Exeter St Thomas and Starcross. The station will consist of two platforms, each 124 metres long, which will allow for future train lengthening and the use of longer trains in times of disruption. A footbridge equipped with ramps and stairs between the platforms providing full disabled access will also be provided. Each platform will include a shelter, ticket machine and customer information systems and there will be secure cycle facilities on each side of the railway. The station will be fully lit and will include CCTV security systems.

Access from the Marsh Barton side will be limited to pedestrian, cycle and emergency vehicle access only due to the restricted land availability between Clapperbrook Lane and the new Energy from Waste plant boundary. On the Riverside Valley Park side of the railway, vehicular access will be provided including a limited number of parking spaces for disabled and vulnerable users. Only a limited amount of parking is needed because it is anticipated that Marsh Barton will predominantly be used as a destination station for commuters travelling into work.

Approval is sought for the layout in Marsh Barton Plan no. B2300109-MBS-G4/CV.DRG/0252 to be used as a basis to submit a detailed planning application for the station.

4. Consultations

Public consultation responses for the Local Transport Plan and Exeter Core Strategy were in favour of the principle of improving the local rail network to help manage increased demand for travel into the city, which will be generated by significant planned growth in housing in the Exeter sub region. In the 2010 Future of Transport in Exeter consultation, which helped inform the transport strategy for Exeter, 84% of respondents supported further investment in the rail system.

A formal consultation process will follow as part of the planning application process; however there has been some initial consultation on the new stations with local residents and businesses, as well as discussions with the Rail User Groups. Comments from these groups have been taken on board within the emerging station designs and further engagement will continue as more detailed design work is progressed.

The response from the Rail Users Group (ALRUG) was supportive of Newcourt station and looked forward to the station being brought into service as soon as possible. There were also a number of detailed suggestions, which have been reflected in the design.

Local residents at Newcourt raised some concerns about the potential impacts on rugby club match days. This included the effects of large volumes of pedestrians accessing the station through the residential estate. There were also concerns about people parking on street to use the station.

Ensuring that pedestrian routes to the rugby club are available, adequately lit and supervised is a planning requirement for the rugby club to address under the Match Day Access Strategy and S106 agreement. As part of the recent planning approval, the rugby club are committed to submit an updated Match Day Access Strategy including measures to manage arrivals and departures of rugby spectators for an increased capacity stadium. This will need to be approved by the local planning and highway authorities before the increased capacity can be used.

In terms of addressing residential parking, the county council would need to consult with residents on whether a controlled parking zone similar to that adopted at Digby would be acceptable. If approved, the S106 agreement for the original 2004 stadium permission allows these changes to be made and recharged to the rugby club.

In response to residents’ comments, provision for conventional long stay parking has been removed from the design so that driving to the station is discouraged. It is anticipated that the majority of the catchment will be within walking and cycling distance; however, should the need arise in the future, it will be possible to amend this at a later date.

Suggestions for providing a platform and access on the eastern side of the railway are not feasible. As Newcourt development proposals come forward on the eastern side of the rail line, pedestrian links providing an alternative route to the stadium, avoiding the steps and the Old Rydon Lane railway bridge will be improved to further reduce pressure on Liberty Way.

The new stations have support from the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, First Great Western and Network Rail and consultation has taken place during design workshops with other passenger and freight operators. Progress on the new stations has previously been presented to the Devon and Exeter Rail Working Party, where support for the principle of the stations has been provided.

5. Financial Considerations

The initial stages of technical work to plan the stations has been funded by the County Council, funded through the Local Transport Plan. The design has currently progressed to stage 4 – ‘development of a single option’ – in the Guide to Railway Infrastructure Projects (GRIP) process.

Detailed cost estimates for each new station are not yet available but preliminary estimates indicate that Newcourt and Marsh Barton will cost in the region of £2.0 million and £4.0 million respectively. Section 106 agreements have not yet been signed but it is expected that contributions at Newcourt are likely to provide sufficient funds to deliver the station from 2013/14. Any additional resources required will be funded from the Local Transport Plan. No specific funding has been identified for Marsh Barton at this stage but a combination of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and devolved major scheme funding approved through the Local Transport Board are potential sources. This is likely to lead to longer delivery timescales for Marsh Barton; however with outline design agreed and planning permission secured, the county council will be in a stronger position to respond to external funding opportunities as and when they arise.

Economic assessment has shown that the proposed new stations would be good value for money providing travel time benefits for rail users who would be able to avoid traffic congestion on surrounding roads. Other road users are anticipated to benefit from congestion relief.

6. Sustainability and Equality Considerations

Rail travel offers the most sustainable means of access to Newcourt and Marsh Barton areas for longer distance journeys. Marsh Barton, in particular, is likely to be well used by commuters from Dawlish, Teignmouth and Newton Abbot.

The accessibility design standards, which new stations must comply with, impose high standards of accessibility to accommodate all potential users. A full impact assessment will be conducted on the final detailed proposals.

7. Carbon Impact Considerations

The stations will be served by trains which are already passing the sites and will promote the use of sustainable transport including walking, cycling and rail in combination; all of which represent low carbon methods of travel. The impact is therefore expected to be positive.

8. Legal Considerations

The lawful implications of the recommendations have been considered and taken into account in the formulation of the recommendations set out above.

Section 106 agreements at Newcourt provide funds and the transfer of land for the station. A Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) is in place with Network Rail covering the completion of the Single Option Development for each station. In order to complete the delivery of the stations, further appropriate legal agreements will need to be put in place with Network Rail and First Great Western, or the replacement franchisee; however, these represent a low risk.

9. Risk Management Considerations

Development of the station design under the rail industry GRIP process involves maintaining and reviewing a formal risk register. The most prominent risks relate to: • Securing agreement on the preferred timetable option and network change arrangements from train operators, Network rail and statutory bodies; • Land transfer from Persimmon Homes and the variation of DCC’s Lease with Viridor; • Safety Validation of designs in accordance with the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems Regulations; • Escalation of cost.

10. Public Health Impact

Both rail stations will be within easy walking distance of major employment sites and for Newcourt, there will be good pedestrian links to encourage nearby residents to walk to the station. Unlike many other non city centre halts in Exeter, the proposed schemes include secure cycle parking provision to encourage cycle access for journeys outside a reasonable walking distance. The proximity of Marsh Barton to the Riverside Valley Park should also encourage use of the station for more leisure pursuits. The stations are therefore expected to promote active travel, which will help improve public health.

11. Options and Alternatives

Alternative site locations for the stations could be pursued. At Newcourt, a location north of the open space area and parallel with Liberty Way was possible; however, the location was considered unsuitable due to the impacts on residents. At Marsh Barton, a site to the north

of Clapperbrook Lane overbridge was considered; however, there were significant environmental and access constraints, which did not exist to the south of the bridge.

Other alternative options could include development of highway or bus based alternatives for accessing the Newcourt and Marsh Barton areas. However, these options are limited due to the existing capacity issues on the main road corridors and the limited scope for additional improvements.

Other new stations were also considered as part of Devon Metro, including a new halt at Monkerton and Hill Barton on the Exmouth line. Track constraints mean that an additional would be required to accommodate two new halts between Exmouth and the city centre on a half hourly frequency. The Devon Metro Appraisal Report concluded that Newcourt had a stronger business case than the Hill Barton site. Monkerton and Hill Barton also has comparatively better sustainable transport alternatives to help minimise traffic impacts, therefore a rail halt was anticipated to have a greater impact at Newcourt.

12. Reason for Recommendation

Progressing the stations through the planning process is recommended as it supports the Devon Metro objectives as set out in the Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan. It also supports the growth aspirations set out in Exeter City Council’s Core Strategy by improving access to strategic development areas. There is S106 funding that will help deliver Newcourt station in the short term and, with designs and planning secured for Marsh Barton station, the County Council will be in a stronger position to take advantage of external funding opportunities as and when they arise in the future.

Dave Black Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment

Electoral Divisions: St Loyes & Topsham, and Alphington & Cowick

Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation: Councillor Stuart Hughes

Strategic Director, Place: Heather Barnes

Local Government Act 1972: List of Background Papers

Contact for enquiries: Matt Barnes

Room No. AB2 Lucombe House, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD

Tel No: (01392) 381652

Background Paper Date File Reference

Nil

mb311012cab newcourt marsh barton railway stations sc 04 031212