Prestwick Active Travel Hub Feasibility Study January 2017

Commercial in Confidence

PrestwickGirvan Active Travel Commercial in Confidence Hub Quality Management January 2017

Quality Management

Job No CS/090734-03

Project Prestwick Active Travel Hub

Location South Ayrshire

Title Feasibility Study

Document Ref

File reference P:\Transport schemes\South Ayrshire Council\Active Travel Hub Feasibility Studies

Date January 2017

Prepared by 1 Signature (for file)

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Prestwick Active Travel Hub Commercial in Confidence January 2017 Contents

Contents 1. Introduction 2 1.1 Commission 2 1.2 Background 2 2. Example Active Travel Hubs 3 2.1 Stirling Active Travel Hub 1 2.2 Stockton Active Travel Hub 2 2.3 Bristol Bike Shed 2 2.4 Kilmarnock Active Travel Hub 3 2.5 Newcastle Cycle Hub 3 3. Demand for an Active Travel Hub in Prestwick 4 3.1 Transport Data Analysis 4 3.2 Consultation 12 3.3 Needs / Demands for a Hub 14 3.4 Type / Nature of services required 18 4. Options for a Hub unit 20 4.1 Location 20 4.2 Type of Unit 23 5. Estimated costs and funding opportunities 24 5.1 Set up and Running costs for the Prestwick Hub 24 5.2 Funding opportunities 25 6. Conclusion 26

Appendices Appendix A - Consultation Survey Appendix B - South Ayrshire traffic data Appendix C - Hub Design Palettes

1. Introduction

1.1 Commission

The Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) is currently investigating the potential to develop an Active Travel Hub in Prestwick, South Ayrshire. The proposal follows the recent development of Active Travel Hubs in Ayr and Kilmarnock aimed at encouraging walking and cycling in South and East Ayrshire.

Capita is commissioned to undertake a feasibility study to investigate the potential for an Active Travel Hub in Prestwick. This report considers the background to Active Travel Hubs, reviews existing examples, the report then examines the potential need for an Active Travel Hub in Prestwick; and assesses the location and type of Hub that is likely to be required; and provides estimated costs and information regarding the most suitable funding opportunities.

1.2 Background

Following the successful Cycle Hub scheme in Stirling, ARA in partnership with Sustrans Scotland and Paths for All are in the process of developing Active Travel Hubs based at Ayr Railway Station and Kilmarnock Railway Station.

The vision of the Hubs is to ‘work towards a healthier, greener future by encouraging and supporting more people to travel actively’.

Through the projects ARA aims to make communities healthier by changing travel habits and encouraging people to be more active. The hubs are working closely with the local community organising a range of events and workshops and providing led cycle rides, led walks and cycle maintenance sessions.

ARA is investigating the potential expansion of its Hub projects in Prestwick and Girvan. This feasibility study considers the potential for an Active Travel Hub located in Prestwick in South Ayrshire.

2. Example Active Travel Hubs

Active Travel Hubs have become a common development in towns and cities across the UK in recent years. They all operate to serve and encourage more walking and cycling, but Hub they come in many forms. These forms can be plotted in the triangular graph that Type represents the blend of their focus on either Chart Commuters and Utility cyclists, Leisure and Tourists, or they might have a charitable angle for achieving ‘whole community’ benefits of active travel.

During this report, we deduce that the format of an active travel hub in the Prestwick area is likely to be plotted here ‘ ’, therefore, if we investigate the example hubs with a similar focus (listed below ‘’), we can learn from their existing format and analyse their best practice and lessons learnt.

Stirling  Leeds  Stockton  Bristol 

Whinlatter  Kilmarmock  Newcastle  Ayr 

At-a-Glance Comparisons of UK Hubs (those with a distinctly different focus to Prestwick are marked with an ‘’; others will be explored in more detail in the following section)



 

2.1 Stirling Active Travel Hub

Funded by Transport Scotland in partnership with Scotrail, Stirling Cycle Hub was the first Hub of its kind to be developed in Scotland and provides a template to Cycle Hubs and Active Travel Hubs throughout the country. Established in 2013, The Scottish Government allocated up to £200,000 to Forth Environment Link over three financial years to set up and run the Rail Cycle Hub facility at Stirling station, as a three-year pilot project.

The Cycle Hub aims to encourage and support people to cycle and promote the benefits of cycling for the individual and the community. Working in partnership with Sustrans; Cycle Stirling; Stirling Council; Creative Stirling; and The University of Stirling, the Hubs ethos and website has been established as a template to other Hubs in Scotland including the hubs at Ayr and Kilmarnock.

Services include information and signposting to cycle services; secure cycle parking and lockers; detailed route planning with a hub team working with local communities to encourage and promote cycling; and running a range of events.

The aims of the Hub are:  To provide expert knowledge of cycle routes and support networks in & around Stirling.  To encourage and support individuals and groups to regularly cycle as a healthy leisure activity.  To encourage and support employers and employees to consider commuting by bike as an alternative to other forms of transport.  To work in partnership with and to signpost to existing cycling providers.  To work towards these aims both through running and maintaining a welcoming, professional space and by providing support and encouragement to communities and community groups.

LESSONS FOR PRESTWICK o Success in securing funding o Ongoing engagement with community groups

2.2 Stockton Active Travel Hub

This was the UK’s first active travel and cycle parking centre which opened in 2010 using Lottery funding. Council funding continues to allow its operation by Sustrans staff who use it as their Teeside office while providing a service to the community. They offer free information and advice on cycling and walking, guided rides and walks, and training courses on cycle maintenance and on road cycling. Their free cycling parking facility has no hourly limits.

Free membership is currently offered to all. This entitles people to securely park their bikes from 07:30-17:30 each weekday (they would like to open on Saturday but staffing budgets are limited). They run free Dr Bike days for members, free half day bike maintenance courses, and chargeable full day courses. They have appx 1000 members. Outside of membership they offer a series of free guided rides and walks for residents, students and businesses; information and advice service (free maps, route planning, bike choice); bike buddies (matching people up on regular rides).

Staff costs cover three members of staff, the building is owned by the Council and rented out at a minimal ‘peppercorn’ rate, on top of which are paid business rates, electricity and other utility bills.

LESSONS FOR PRESTWICK o Securing an urban unit on a long-term low-cost lease o Engaging with the community and community groups

2.3 Bristol Bike Shed

Bristol Bike Shed (AKA ‘Mud Dock’) is a bicycle lifestyle centre, offering a shop, cycle storage facility, bar and restaurant, as well as education and training. It opened in June 1994 as primarily a retail and catering company. The different services are complementary in helping to promote a cycling culture in the city.

To use the storage facility, people can register as an individual or as a company – the Bike Shed is surrounded by new business premises in the regenerated docklands area of Bristol - If a company registers, it requests the number of lockers and spaces it needs and Mud Dock gives passes to the users. The mechanics from the shop also maintain and look after the bike shed and its clients. Future plans include a small bar with internet access for cyclists.

This centre provides the only secure bike parking in the area, but the costs of services are considered high - year-round access to the showers is more expensive than some gym membership fees. Some users now complain about over-crowding (because they also store bikes that are waiting to be repaired, serviced, built, and also spare parts or stock in the bike shed), so some users wish the facility was bigger. When questioned, the owner suggested that the bike shed would not survive if it was a stand-alone facility (the cost for the space and to hire someone to be on site is considerable), but having a repair centre, retail shop and cafe allows Mud Dock to be a lucrative and thriving business.

LESSONS FOR PRESTWICK o Exploring way of bringing in income to become self-sustaining o Securing a prime location for maximum footfall

2.4 Kilmarnock Active Travel Hub

The Kilmarnock Active Travel Hub is also a Hub Scotland project match funded through the Paths for All, Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme with £114k of matched funding. Through establishing a relationship with the Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust, the Hub secured space within Kilmarnock Railway Station in 2016.

The Active Travel Hub Kilmarnock project runs in parallel with the Ayr Hub, both projects being delivered under the Ayrshire Roads Alliance (the shared Council roads and transportation service across East and South Ayrshire). As with the Ayr Hub, an Active Travel Hubs Officer is also appointed in Kilmarnock to lead on setting up, maintaining and promoting the Hub. The role is supported by a number of Community Volunteers who are engaged in leading rides and walks across East Ayrshire.

Kilmarnock Railway Station provides the physical base from which the Active Travel Officer and volunteers develop, deliver and monitor a programme of behaviour change interventions to support increased uptake of active and sustainable travel modes. When complete, the Hub will provide cycle hire, as well as information on events and routes and personal travel planning.

LESSONS FOR PRESTWICK o Gaining the support of other complementary groups and organisations o Making the most of an existing building

2.5 Newcastle Cycle Hub

Newcastle’s Cycle Hub has a leisure/tourism focus, being based in the popular Quayside area of the city on the Coast to Coast national cycle route. It was established as a Community Interest Company between a cycle retailer and a cycling holiday company using a £30k capital injection from the partners to renovate a disused Council building on an initially free rent.

The location offers great views of the famous bridges and the hub finds that its main income is revenue generated from food and drinks from not only cyclists, but general footfall attracted by the venue. A cycling culture is promoted to all customers via big screens, literature, the presence of all of the visiting cycling club/groups and the bikes and accessories on display.

The owners mainly rely upon the kitchen to cover the rent costs (which is now charged, but still at a low level) and staff wages (2/3 cafe operators and a mechanic), although the mechanical servicing offer is become more popular too. They regret not building a larger kitchen into the design from the start as this has limited their offer to basic fayre, when a larger kitchen would have allowed them to satisfy the demand for full meals and functions. The income from rental of hire bikes and from sales of parts and accessories is negligible LESSONS FOR PRESTWICK o Working with the Local Authority to secure agreeable rates for your preferred site o Being flexible with your offer to maximise new opportunities for growth

3. Demand for an Active Travel Hub in Prestwick

3.1 Transport Data Analysis

3.1.1 SOUTH AYRSHIRE DATA

In 2015 South Ayrshire had 48 count points, at strategic locations throughout the borough, recording a range of transport data. The full details of the recorded data, such as traffic count location, road category, start and end junction, link length and AADF (Average Annual Daily flow), are reported in South Ayrshire traffic data (Source Department for Transport, 2016) in Appendix A.

Understanding modal share of proportionate transport trips is an important component in developing sustainable transport within a region. The proposed active travel hubs would very likely increase the proportion of trips made using pedal cycles, which amounted to just 0.14% of all trips in 2015.

90.00% 81.08% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 12.23% 4.73% 10.00% 0.14% 0.67% 1.29% 0.00%

Modal split in South Ayrshire (Source: Self processing from Department for Transport data 2015)

3.1.2 PRESTWICK SPECIFIC DATA

The location of the 4 traffic counters in Prestwick is shown below with a summary of the traffic data recorded in 2015. The proportion of pedal cycle trips as a percentage of total vehicles in the considered sections ranges from 0% on the A77 to 0.42% on the A79

Traffic counters in Prestwick (Source: Department for Transport data 2016)

Link % Cycling Road Length All on total Traffic counter ID Road Category Start Junction End Junction [miles] Pedal Cycles vehicles vehicles 10750 A77 TR A719 A78 2.17 1 33825 0.00% 40754 A77 TR A719 A719 1.74 0 34030 0.00% 78529 A719 PR Low Rd A77 0.25 38 17701 0.21% Shawfarm Road 10839 A79 PU A719 roundabout 2.73 73 17513 0.42%

Traffic data in Prestwick for 2015 (Source: Department for Transport, 2016)

3.1.3 TRAFFIC VOLUME TRENDS

As South Ayrshire Council are investigating two new Active travel hubs in Prestwick and Girvan, we will use these two example towns as comparators for the following traffic volume analysis.

Traffic data collected in Prestwick and Girvan from 2000 to 2015 have been analysed to understand the traffic volume trends in the two towns.

The average AADT and proportion of cycling on total vehicles, recorded in the 8 traffic counts in Prestwick and Girvan from 2000 to 2015, are shown in table below.

The proportion of cycling on total vehicles has decreased by 0.51% and 0.56% in Prestwick and Girvan respectively from 2000 to 2015 in a period with traffic levels increased by 10.03% and 9.07%. The trend in the proportion of cycling on total vehicles and the variation of total flows are illustrated in the Figures below.Figure 3.1

Proportion of Cycling on total vehicles [%] AADT [vehicles/day] Year Prestwick Girvan Prestwick Girvan 2000 0.33% 0.58% 23418 5441 2001 0.19% 0.50% 25892 5494 2002 0.21% 0.51% 28185 5759 2003 0.19% 0.40% 27565 5978 2004 0.19% 0.39% 27488 6041 2005 0.15% 0.41% 26140 6053 2006 0.23% 0.39% 25442 6209 2007 0.16% 0.38% 25320 5984 2008 0.18% 0.39% 23910 5903 2009 0.18% 0.37% 24687 5890 2010 0.18% 0.38% 25411 5792 2011 0.19% 0.32% 25521 5829 2012 0.19% 0.31% 24451 5797 2013 0.19% 0.30% 24122 5853 2014 0.17% 0.27% 24770 5795 2015 0.16% 0.26% 25767 5934 Average 0.19% 0.38% 25506 5859

Proportion of Cycling on total vehicles and AADT [vehicles/day] from 2000 to 2015 (Source: Self processing from Department for Transport data 2016)

0.70% 0.58% 0.60% 0.50% 0.51% 0.50% 0.41% 0.40% 0.39% 0.39% 0.39% 0.38% 0.37% 0.38% 0.40% 0.33% 0.32% 0.31% 0.30% 0.27% 0.30% 0.26% 0.21% 0.23% 0.19% 0.19% 0.19% 0.18% 0.18% 0.18% 0.19% 0.19% 0.19% 0.17% 0.20% 0.15% 0.16% 0.16%

0.10%

0.00% 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Prestwick Girvan

Figure 3.1 Proportion of Cycling on total vehicles from 2000 to 2015 (Source: Self processing from Department for Transport data 2016)

30000 28185 27565 27488 25892 26140 25442 25521 25767 25320 24687 25411 24451 24770 23418 23910 24122

25000

20000

15000

10000

5441 5494 5759 5978 6041 6053 6209 5984 5903 5890 5792 5829 5797 5853 5795 5934 AADF [VEHICLES/DAY] AADF 5000

0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 YEAR

Prestwick Girvan

Figure 3.2 AADT [vehicles/day] from 2000 to 2015 (Source: Self processing from Department for Transport data 2016)

3.1.4 TRAFFIC DEMAND FORECASTING FOR PRESTWICK AND GIRVAN HUBS

This analysis is based on the assumption that the infrastructure has a useful life of at least 30 years (Value for Money Assessment for Cycling Grants, DfT 2014).

The TEMPro (Trip End Model Presentation Program) software was used to forecast traffic growth factors and the trip production and attraction in the base and future years, based on data from the National Transport Model (NTM).

The results summarised in the table below are specific for South Ayrshire area, for all Trip Purpose and the reference period is “Average Day”. The base year for the data is 2015 and the future year is 2047 (assuming that 2017 is the opening year and that the useful life of the facilities is 30 years).

Area Description All purposes Level Name Production Attraction GB GB 1.0636 1.0636 Region SCOTLAND 0.9583 0.9583 Authority South Ayrshire 0.8991 0.8851

TEMPro results Growth Factor for cycling mode (Base Year: 2015 and Future Year: 2047)

Trips -Base year Modal split Mode Production Attraction Production Attraction Cycle 2,828 3,988 1.8% 2.1% walk 33,910 38,890 21.5% 20.7% Car driver 67,260 79,076 42.7% 42.1% Car passenger 41,931 50,674 26.6% 27.0% Bus coach 9,002 12,708 5.7% 6.8% Rail underground 2,688 2,394 1.7% 1.3% Combined mode (All modes) 157,620 187,731

TEMPro results Trip production and attraction for South Ayrshire (Base Year: 2015)

3.1.5 MODAL SHIFT FORECASTING RESULTING FROM PRESTWCK AND GIRVAN HUBS

According to the trip production and attraction for South Ayrshire, the average proportion of the population who cycle is 2% of all travellers and on basis of Wardman study a maximum of 40% of the population would cycle using Dutch examples of levels achieved following heavy investment (Source: Wardman et al, 2007).

Using coefficients, we can predict the change in the levels of active travel following the realisation of such things as cycle parking and shower/changing facilities. The model predicts the proportion of the population cycling after the change, the results are summarised in the table below:

Change in the Proportion of the total Total mode share of Change generalised costs mode that will change cycling of cycling with the intervention

Outdoor parking 0.291 6.6% 2.63% facilities Indoor parking 0.499 8.0% 3.19% facilities Shower/changing facilities and indoor 0.699 9.6% 3.83% facilities

Transport impact of the interventions

As stated by General Records of Scotland, the density of population in Prestwick was 2,757.2 inh./km², and in Girvan 3,436.8 inh./km² in 2015. This model only applies to those who could make use of any change to facilities on short journeys of 7.5 miles (12.07 km).

3.1.6 This model only applies to those who could make use of any change to facilities on short journeys of 7.5 miles (12.07 km). The areas considered are shown in the following pictures.

Area in a 7.5 miles radius from Prestwick hub

Area in a 7.5 miles radius from Girvan hub.

3.1.7 For this specific study the population who could enjoy the benefit provided, the potential demand for cycling after the interventions in 2015 and 2047 (future year) have been calculated and the results have been summarised in the Table below.

Potential demand for cycling after the intervention

Shower/changing Population who Outdoor parking Indoor parking facilities facilities and indoor could enjoy the facilities benefit provided facilities [2015] 2015 2047 2015 2047 2015 2047 [inhabitants] Prestwick 81920 2154 1922 2613 2331 3138 2799 Girvan 7350 193 172 234 209 282 251

Potential demand for cycling after the intervention

3.2 Consultation

A comprehensive consultation of key stakeholders was carried out to help determine the need and demand for an Active Travel Hub in Prestwick. A questionnaire was developed that aimed at investigating the local appetite for an Active Travel Hub and the type and nature of services which stakeholders think appropriate for a Hub development within the town. The questionnaire was distributed electronically via an email contacts list supplied by the local authority that was added to as the consultation proceeded, and also via social media where many Prestwick- based users and groups were given the opportunity to share and use the link to complete the online survey. A copy of the questionnaire is attached in Appendix A. The following stakeholders were amongst those contacted:

Prestwick Civic Pride Prestwick Charrette Consultant Ayr Active Travel Hub Prestwick Community Gift Exchange Local Councillors South Ayrshire Community Transport Prestwick Academy ACS Prestwick Cycle Shop Various Community Leads Various South Ayrshire Council Officers

A total of 43 different organisations and individuals submitted their responses and comments. Below is a summary of the demographic profile and baseline transport behaviour of the respondents:

The graphs show that respondents were an ideally even spread across all age groups between males and females. The current travel behaviour shows that 56% normally drive while over 90% walk at least sometimes and 9.3% normally cycle with another 53% cycling sometime or occasionally – this shows that there is a particularly is a large target market in Prestwick for increasing active travel.

3.3 Needs / Demands for a Hub

Consultation results also show that there is potential demand for an Active Travel Hub in Prestwick. The majority of respondents considered that a Hub in the town would be effective in increasing the numbers of people travelling by active means in the local area and there is a strong feeling that a project like this would be embraced by the whole community.

The consultation brought out enthusiastic responses from various organisations within the Prestwick town who would like to be involved in an active travel hub. Key respondents included:  Local Councillors  Prestwick Charrette Contributors  Other community groups (like ‘Prestwick Community Gift Exchange’)

Many of these referred to the recent town planning consultation in Prestwick called the Prestwick Charrette (see following page)

In addition to direct communication from the groups above there was another 43 responses to the Prestwick Active Travel consultation received online since the survey went live in mid- December. The demand for a hub came through strongly in the messages in the comments section along with some good data collected that shows the type of hub that is needed in the town.

A clear need/demand for a hub rose from the consultation; in fact, elements of a hub have been discussed in detail and submitted in the Charrette report which shows an eagerness from both private businesses and third sector organisations to contribute to elements of the proposed Prestwick Active Travel Hub.

Demand for a cycling facility in Prestwick is further supported by the National Cycle Network (NCN) route No7 that passes through the town (see maps below). Location of the hub along this popular route would potentially capture significant passing trade from leisure cyclists travelling the route.

(note how the route bypasses the town centre’s main street...)

♦ Prestwick Charrette Special mention needs to be made for the vision shown by stakeholders in Prestwick during the town’s Charrette-style development consultation that displayed a strong will to make Prestwick a vibrant, liveable town, less dominated by motor traffic. The resulting report contains many elements of creating ‘places for people’ and initiatives that encourage active travel – including a cycle cafe and hub. Here are two excerpts taken directly from the report:

The cycle café proposal

There is a desire from the The cycle café proposal (shown above) is based on similar Prestwick community to develop ideas developed in many parts of the country. more facilities for cycling The idea is that a community business would operate a cycle throughout the town centre and the sales, accessory and repair shop combined with a café. The seafront. location for the proposal is the former Health and Fitness Projects for a cycle hub at Gardiner Club on the seafront at Grangemuir Road adjacent to Street and a Cycle Café at Prestwick Sailing Club. The building is currently in private Grangemuir Road have been ownership and that is a major impediment. However looking discussed...and a Cycling Plan ahead, there may be opportunities to acquire the building would incorporate these and also through the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. develop commuter routes, long and This introduces a new provision for community bodies to short distance leisure routes purchase land which is abandoned, neglected or causing harm together with signage and to the environmental wellbeing of the community, where the promotional material. Sustrans owner is not willing to sell that land. This is if the purchase is and South Ayrshire Council could in the public interest and compatible with the achievement of be involved in implementing this sustainable development of the land. This project could create proposal which would be relatively jobs, develop new skills and help to rejuvenate the seafront easy to implement but with a high while bringing a positive use to an interesting but derelict impact. building.

Investigation into the likely demand for a hub / type of people who are likely to use a hub has gathered the following evidence for the focus of the Prestwick Hub:

 Commuter and Utility users are a significant user group for the proposed Prestwick Active Travel Hub. The town’s railway station has the opportunity to be a destination for active travel, but is currently dominated by motor traffic as a result of: o Free Car Parking o Poor Cycle Parking o Limited Cycle Capatity on the trains A hub in Prestwick should certainly play a role in promoting active travel to the station and improving both the capacity for carriage of cycles on the trains from Prestwick station and capacity and quality of the provision for storage of cycles at the station (the current provision is limited to 3 ‘hoops’ in an exposed area).

Station 2015/16 Daily Station Name Entries & Exits Entries (average) Ayr 1,555,702 2,131 Girvan 137,076 188 Kilmarnock 593,410 813 Prestwick 392,858 538

Scottish Rail Station Usage Data 2015/16 – passenger numbers by station (Source: Office of Rail and Road 2016)

 Leisure and Tourism came out of the consultation as a major priority of the town and a key focus of the proposed hub. In addition to visitors on the NCN7 cycle route passing through Prestwick on their way between Carlisle and Glasgow, many local visitors also travel into Prestwick town centre and seafront. The Charrette report displays a strong drive towards improving the town’s leisure and tourism offer.  Community and Charity activities were mentioned in the consultation as something that Prestwick has manpower, knowledge and will to utilise in making the delivery of activities in the hub sustainable. Charitable groups such as the Community Gift Exchange put themselves forward as keen and ready to deliver possible elements.

Active Travel Hubs operate to serve cyclists and walkers and encourage more cycling and walking, but they come in many forms. These forms can be plotted in the triangular graph that represents the blend of their focus on either Commuters and Utility cyclists, Leisure and Tourists, or they might have a charitable angle for achieving ‘whole community’ benefits of active travel. The results of our investigation and consultation in Prestwick has led to the conclusion that the most effective and popular blend for a hub in the town would be plotted on the Hub Type Chart as below:

As has been the case with other hubs, the target market can be established and the hub created to meet those needs, but a degree of alertness to other opportunities and flexibility to adapt to meet changes in the market should always be prepared for. The Prestwick hub may well set-up with a balanced focus between Leisure and Commuting in the centre-left of the chart, but as cycle commuting increases perhaps as a result to improvements to the stations cycle parking facilities, the hub needs to react to changes in the market and provide for them. The type and nature of the hub’s services are suggested in the next section.

3.4 Type / Nature of services required

The majority of stakeholders considered that the overall aim of any hub should be to increase the numbers of people in South Ayrshire travelling by active means through a range of services.

Consultation results on the type of services which a hub should provide are presented below:

There is opportunity in Prestwick for a co-operative social enterprise hub with both private and voluntary sector involvement to serve locals and visitors and encourage active local utility and leisure trips. Along with long-distance touring cyclists, the rail-commuter market is also available to the hub. Comparison to existing Hubs and what services they offer, brings up a focus in Prestwick to provide:  Information and Maps  Cafe and refreshments  Cycle storage and Lockers  Bike Hire (including Electric Bikes)  Cycle Skills Training  Bike Recycling

Elements such cycle tour guide services should be explored along with other opportunities as they present themselves – especially with the regeneration of the town following the Prestwick Charrette consultation.

The is a conflict of interests with the ACS Prestwick cycle store that possibly discounts the hub from offering bike repairs and the sale of parts and accessories, although the business owner may wish to partner the hub in co-ordinating the offer of these services between the two sites.

4. Options for a Hub unit

4.1 Location

An investigation of the Prestwick area and early discussions with interested parties highlighted a few options for locating the potential Prestwick Active Travel Hub:  The Station – potential for a commuter hub to improve the offer for commuters to choose alternatives to the private car for their journey to/from the station.  The Town Centre – potential to use the town centre to capture the footfall of the shoppers and passing vehicles on the main thoroughfare.  The Seafront – potential to regenerate the seafront, which is the focus point for most leisure journeys.

MAP

During consultation with key stakeholders we asked where they felt the best location for the hub might be. The results came back with 53% of the votes going to the Town Centre, 21% to the station, and 14% to the sea front – with ‘other’ sites mentioned including Freemans Hall.

SELECTION OF THE PREFERED LOCATION

Following consultation with key stakeholders and further investigation into the potential locations the main location considered is the Prestwick Town Centre.

Train Station:  The facilities for cycle commuters would benefit from some investment, but a hub located nearby that serves commuters whilst also capturing passing active travellers along the NCN 7 to the seafront and town centre visitors is preferable.

Seafront:  This area would benefit from a new facility for leisure walkers and cyclists, but a hub located nearby that serves passing active travellers along the NCN 7 as well as rail commuters, and also town centre visitors is preferable.

Location Preference: Prestwick Town Centre:  The Town Centre was the location overwhelmingly favoured by the consultees, and one of the clear focus areas of development that came out of the Charrette (alongside the seafront); a Town Centre hub could tick a lot of boxes if located perfectly. If the NCN7 was slightly diverted (see below) to bring it around the front the Post Office into view of the Main Street and cycle shop before rejoining the Station Rd, that area by the Council offices would capture the passing leisure riders, serve the local town centre users, and possibly also provide a facility for commuters (as the station is just 50m away). The closest UK example of a hub like this is the Stockton Active Travel Hub (see previous section for details).

4.2 Type of Unit

The type of unit for a hub is largely dependent on the potential location. There are essentially four types of Hub premises, each with pro’s and con’s. If a suitable unit does not already exist in the desired location, then options for renovating a unit, building a unit, or bringing in a portable unit (shipping container) should be explored.

Examples of unit options include:

Type of unit UK example Set-up costs Running costs Rates • low Shipping container Ayr £10-£30k Bills • moderate Repairs • low Rates • moderate Existing unit Stockton £10-£20k Bills • moderate Repairs • moderate Rates • low Renovated unit Newcastle £20-50k Bills • moderate Repairs • moderate Rates • high New-build unit Leeds £500-£700K Bills • low Repairs • low

In the Prestwick setting, then options in the Town Centre are likely to come down to two options: 1. an existing unit, like the empty shop unit used in Stockton. The Freemans Hall was suggested as a possible site. Costs can be saved if a unit can be found with the right space/security/lighting/access, without a great deal of building work required. 2. a renovated unit, where there is a disused building that can be bought or rented at a low rate that needs work to make it fit for purpose. This can open up opportunities to make the space and facilities ideal for the operation of the unit. Volunteers could be used in the renovation to save costs, and consultees in Prestwick have already offered their service users as a renovation team.

Costing plans for both these using preferred staffing options will be forecast in the following section.

5. Estimated costs and funding opportunities

5.1 Set up and Running costs for the Prestwick Hub

The two unit options for the Prestwick hub are costed out below using values from the business plans and other information available from the equivalent examples around the UK including the existing unit in Stockton and the renovated unit in Newcastle. In both tables, the staffing is based on a single part-time Active Travel Hub Officer (based perhaps in the Local Authority) who also co-ordinates other nearby hubs. The hub will run primarily volunteer-led activities and keyholders/committee members will be leaders from the local stakeholder organisations who also sit on the steering group for the Hub. This format has operated successfully in a hub we have worked with in North Tyneside.

OPTION 1 – Existing Unit 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year Total Unit purchase (and delivery) - - - - - £0 Unit fit-out (lighting/furniture) £8,000 - - - - £8,000 Rent £25,00 £25,00 £25,00 £25,00 £25,00 £125,00 Insurance £1,0000 £1,0000 £1,0000 £1,0000 £1,0000 £5,0000 Utility(building/contents/publ Connection ic) - - - - - £0 Phone/Internet Connection £200 - - - - £200 Legal Fees £1,000 - - - - £1,000 Computers/Phones £500 - - - - £500 Signage £500 - - - - £500 Marketing Materials £1,000 £500 £500 £500 £500 £3,000 Utility Bills/Rates £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 £25,000 Wages/expenses £10,00 £10,00 £10,00 £10,00 £10,00 £50,000 Unit Maintenance/Repair/Security £5000 £5000 £5000 £5000 £5000 £2,500 £52,70 £42,00 £42,00 £42,00 £42,00 £220,70 0 0 0 0 0 0 OPTION 2 – Renovated Unit 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year Total Unit purchase (and delivery) - - - - - £0 Unit fit-out (lighting/furniture) £30,00 - - - - £30,000 Rent £15,000 £15,00 £15,00 £15,00 £15,00 £75,000 Insurance £1,0000 £1,0000 £1,0000 £1,0000 £1,0000 £5,000 Utility(building/contents/public) Connection - - - - - £0 Phone/Internet Connection £200 - - - - £200 Legal Fees £1,000 - - - - £1,000 Computers/Phones £500 - - - - £500 Signage £500 - - - - £500 Marketing Materials £1,000 £500 £500 £500 £500 £3,000 Utility Bills/Rates £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 £25,000 Wages/expenses £10,00 £10,00 £10,00 £10,00 £10,00 £50,000 Unit Maintenance/Repair/Security £5000 £5000 £5000 £5000 £5000 £2,500 £64,70 £32,00 £32,00 £32,00 £32,00 £192,70 0 0 0 0 0 0

5.2 Funding opportunities

A number of funding opportunities are available. As funding hopefully increases nationally for Active Travel as a cost-effective solution to not only transport congestion by the Department of Transport, but also a cure for the crippling health costs of obesity and diabetes for the Department for Health, then more funding opportunities should appear. Examples of matched funding locally can be found in Ayr and Kilmarnock. These ‘THE HUB Scotland’ projects are match funded through Smarter Choices, Smarter Places with £114k of funding for The Hub Kilmarnock and £104k for The Hub Ayr. Elsewhere in Scotland, the Stirling Cycle Hub is being funded by Transport Scotland in partnership with Scotrail and is managed by Forth Environment Link.

In Ayrshire there may be an opportunity to use existing funding spent on the post held by the officer at the Ayr Hub to claim match funding from other streams. Through a partnership with Sustrans, the Active Travel Hubs Officer in Ayr was appointed to lead on setting up, maintaining and promoting the Active Travel Hub in Ayr. The officer is engaged in recruiting volunteers and actively promoting walking, cycling and sustainable travel modes in the community. Subject to discussions with Sustrans, there may be scope for the post to extend to setting up and running the Prestwick Hub.

Other funding streams might become available through:  SPT  Sustrans  Abellio, or  Cycling Scotland, for example.

Social enterprise businesses have opportunities to receive not only start-up support, but help to bid for a range of grants – especially compatible with community interest companies and organisations who have a charitable status. Cycle hubs – especially socially focused ones - have often been successful in following this funding stream. The Prestwick hub also has an opportunity to generate income from sales from its own services.

The private business sector has proven that Active Travel hubs can be self-sufficient when they understand the needs of their market and cater to it successfully. In the example of the Bristol Bike Shed, customers support the facility be paying for the storage and repairs service, but along with the Newcastle Cycle Hub, they have found that their location has lent itself to the creation of a steady revenue stream from the sale of food and drinks.

6. Conclusion

Following our study of best practice in Active Travel Hubs across the UK, consultation with stakeholders in South Ayrshire, and analysis of the needs and demands of current and potential cyclists and pedestrians in Prestwick itself, our conclusion is as follows:

AUDIENCE:

The audience would primarily be mix of people making local utility journeys and leisure active travellers, but with a secondary focus on cycle- rail commuters

BUILDING:

The building used by the hub would be an existing disused town centre unit, renovated to suit the specific needs of the hub

STAFF:

The Hub would be staffed by a part-time Hub officer who co-ordinates a group of volunteers to run the various hub activities

FOCUS:

The focus of the Hub would be to improve the quality of life of the people of Prestwick by FUNDING: increasing physically active travel and reducing the negative effect of motorised The Initial start-up funding from Transport traffic on the town centre. Scotland would be superseded by income generated by the Hub’s own activities, making Key actions would be to provide refreshments, it self-sustaining after 5 years. information, secure cycle storage and bike hire.

Appendix A - Consultation Survey A.1 Survey Questionnaire

A.2 Survey Respondent Postcodes

PRESTWICK ACTIVE TRAVEL HUB - SURVEY

What is the postcode of your most common local destination? (ie. home, work, other)

Answer Options Response Count

44 answered question 44 skipped question 0

Number Response Date Response Text

1 Jan 5, 2017 8:34 AM KA9 1PX 2 Dec 23, 2016 9:26 AM Ka92la 3 Dec 22, 2016 1:16 PM ka9 4 Dec 21, 2016 12:55 AM KA9 2HQ 5 Dec 20, 2016 9:26 PM KA9 (HOME) & KA3 (WORK) 6 Dec 20, 2016 6:32 PM Ka91hq 7 Dec 19, 2016 11:29 PM Ka91jy 8 Dec 19, 2016 11:13 PM Ka9 9 Dec 19, 2016 8:04 PM Ka9 1pn 10 Dec 19, 2016 7:57 PM Home 11 Dec 19, 2016 7:37 PM KA2 9JJ 12 Dec 19, 2016 6:42 PM Ka91qs 13 Dec 19, 2016 6:25 PM Ka92jh 14 Dec 19, 2016 5:47 PM Ka9 15 Dec 19, 2016 4:26 PM KA9 16 Dec 19, 2016 3:58 PM Ka9 1ht 17 Dec 19, 2016 3:49 PM ka20be 18 Dec 19, 2016 3:24 PM Ka9 1pu 19 Dec 19, 2016 3:22 PM KA9 1PY 20 Dec 19, 2016 2:51 PM Ka9 2jb 21 Dec 19, 2016 2:45 PM KA7 2XH 22 Dec 19, 2016 2:39 PM KA8 8PB 23 Dec 19, 2016 1:34 PM Ka91bt 24 Dec 19, 2016 1:01 PM KA9 1RH 25 Dec 19, 2016 12:58 PM Ka9 26 Dec 19, 2016 12:43 PM KA9 1AT 27 Dec 19, 2016 12:30 PM KA9 1SY 28 Dec 19, 2016 12:12 PM KA9 1PW 29 Dec 19, 2016 12:10 PM KA9 1QX 30 Dec 19, 2016 11:38 AM KA9 1DB 31 Dec 19, 2016 11:29 AM KA9 1NW 32 Dec 19, 2016 11:15 AM Ka92lz 33 Dec 19, 2016 10:01 AM KA9 2LZ 34 Dec 19, 2016 9:42 AM KA9 2BG 35 Dec 16, 2016 2:51 PM KA9 1QU 36 Dec 15, 2016 2:11 PM Prestwick Town Centre 37 Dec 14, 2016 11:09 PM G74 38 Dec 14, 2016 9:27 PM Ayr 39 Dec 14, 2016 6:44 PM KA11 5AP 40 Dec 14, 2016 4:15 PM KA91HZ 41 Dec 14, 2016 3:36 PM KA9 2SA 42 Dec 14, 2016 11:58 AM KA9 1RY 43 Dec 13, 2016 11:39 PM ka91pq 44 Dec 13, 2016 10:32 PM KA9 2DS

A.3 Survey Comments PRESTWICK ACTIVE TRAVEL HUB - SURVEY Do you have any further comments or ideas? Answer Options Response Count 16 answered question 16 skipped question 28

Number Response Date Response Text 1 Jan 5, 2017 8:34 AM I'd like to have some continuous pavements at key crossing points on T junctions. Good for wheelchairs, and raises profile / priority of pedestrians. Sonething needs to be done about the Main Street to make it more appealing to walk along, noise from traffic is often terrible. Same for cycling, I would not currently cycle along the Main St, does not look safe. Cycle path along the seafront is very lumpy and not enough signs on to warn pedestrains - could it be resurfaced and have a blue glaze to separate it visually from the walking space. 2 Dec 23, 2016 9:26 AM We certainly don't need a repeat of the cycle lane fiasco in Ayr. 3 Dec 22, 2016 1:16 PM congestion charge for households with numerous cars parked on streets. 4 Dec 20, 2016 9:26 PM THINK THIS IS A GOOD IDEA FOR TOURISM RATHER THAN LOCALS BUT I WOULD WELCOME SAFER CYCLE ROUTES 5 Dec 19, 2016 11:29 PM Improve pavements and roads. I work in care the pavements and roads in Prestwick are terrible and awful for people in wheelchairs or who are unsteady on their feet. 6 Dec 19, 2016 11:13 PM Get rid speed bumps 7 Dec 19, 2016 1:01 PM Street lighting needs to improve to facilitate night walking around residential and beach areas of prestwick 8 Dec 19, 2016 12:58 PM Reinstate covered seating areas 9 Dec 19, 2016 12:43 PM Don't believe 7b is practical 10 Dec 19, 2016 12:12 PM Build a footbridge over pow burn where is crosses ayr and troon beach. This would create a very popular walk for very little cost. It would also connect the two communities for pedestrians. Also might generate some additional visitors for the area. 11 Dec 19, 2016 10:01 AM See other above 12 Dec 16, 2016 2:51 PM What about connectivity amongst bus / cycle /walk....ie more and clearer signed routes? 13 Dec 15, 2016 2:11 PM Support for cycling for travel to work purposes 14 Dec 14, 2016 9:27 PM with a free bus pass there is no incentive to cycle 15 Dec 14, 2016 4:15 PM There is already a great wee cafe at the station and space for other ATH services. 16 Dec 13, 2016 11:39 PM The Main Street MUST be made safer to use to for cycling to shops etc The volume and speed of traffic on the Main Street is awful. Cycling along, or across it is not a pleasant experience, and feels very unsafe. Include electric car club option at hub, I'd give up my car if I had access to car club. The train station is a lovely listed building, if space can be found in it would be a great location for a hub.

Appendix B - South Ayrshire traffic data Table.1 South Ayrshire traffic data (Source Department for Transport, 2016) Count Road Road Start Junction End Junction Link Length Pedal Motorcy Cars Buses Light Goods All All Motor point Category [miles] Cycles cles Taxis Coaches Vehicles HGVs Vehicles ID 752 A77 TR LA Boundary B734 11 0 20 1610 70 593 538 2831

1017 A70 PR A77 LA boundary 4.85 12 48 8603 173 1143 445 10413

1076 A714 PR B734 A77 6.77 0 2 799 34 244 111 1191

1079 A719 PR A77 B7023 6.03 10 4 1379 37 281 80 1780

1099 A759 PU B749 Ayr Street B746 Main Street 1.68 11 6 7625 109 868 144 8752

10750 A77 TR A719 A78 2.17 1 203 26739 191 4700 1991 33823

10751 A77 TR B742 A79 4.72 6 32 9132 197 2247 1030 12637

10752 A77 TR B734 A714 10.13 1 20 1985 71 613 501 3190

10757 A78 TR B746 mid-junction A759 2.24 1 89 15448 148 2772 1071 19528

10828 A70 PU A70 Miller Rd A713 0.19 60 111 19669 561 1514 329 22184

10839 A79 PU A719 Shawfarm Road 2.73 73 146 14619 348 2040 287 17440 roundabout 20758 A77 TR A719 Ladyland Rd, Maybole 6.96 1 39 4535 59 1376 766 6776

20763 A78 TR A77 A79 0.75 2 127 20349 168 2984 1108 24737

20838 A79 PU Kersepark A70 2.24 54 11 3468 119 443 72 4113

20887 A714 PR LA Boundary B7027 4.54 0 7 430 13 152 100 702

20890 A719 PU A70 A79 0.75 64 19 9874 969 1573 280 12714

30756 A77 TR A78 B7038 3.79 12 72 23460 267 3751 1617 29167

30757 A77 TR A79 A713 0.81 5 51 11409 93 2720 1065 15338

30829 A70 PU A713 Hillfoot Rd 1.06 9 19 12271 198 1144 265 13898

40754 A77 TR A719 A719 1.74 0 1292 26640 102 3668 2328 34029

40755 A77 TR Coral Glen, B742 2.05 6 63 5170 40 1127 652 7051 Whitefaulds 40761 A78 TR A79 B746 mid-junction 1.12 2 75 18832 135 3221 1049 23311

40826 A70 PU A719 A70 Beresfrod Terrace 0.25 28 22 7356 193 867 104 8543

40839 A79 PU A70 A719 0.75 28 37 14153 45 1811 262 16309

40887 A713 PU Kincaidston Drive A70 1.37 45 8 10480 301 1130 177 12095

40891 A719 PR A77 LA boundary 7.77 4 69 2138 4 801 229 3242

50750 A77 TR A713 A70 1.24 4 48 17529 86 3106 1385 22154

50969 A719 PU A79 Low Rd 1.49 40 49 15522 462 1893 472 18398

50992 A719 PR B7023 Browncarrick Drive, 8.45 10 19 1355 31 209 86 1701 Longhill, Ayr 50996 A714 PR B7027 B734 4.47 0 8 600 15 293 99 1015

74302 A77 TR A758 A70 1.55 21 22 27756 48 3304 1796 32927

74359 A77 TR B7038 LA boundary 0.37 0 64 23203 219 3158 1700 28343

74362 A713 PR LA boundary A77 1.8 6 9 2748 44 696 214 3712

74437 A78 TR A759 LA boundary 0.06 2 89 17752 31 3104 1165 22141

74452 A77 TR A714 A77 split 0.31 14 61 4840 89 826 529 6344

74453 A77 TR A77 merge A77 merge 0.87 12 46 3784 75 717 374 4996

74454 A77 TR A77 split B741 0.87 16 582 6473 154 1514 610 9333

78525 A719 PU Browncarrick Drive, A70 2.24 70 31 8272 107 726 110 9246 Longhill 78526 A79 PR A77 Kersepark 0.12 52 10 3329 114 426 69 3949

78527 A713 PR A77 Kincaidston Drive 0.19 43 8 10061 289 1085 170 11612

78528 A70 PR Hillfoot Rd A77 0.12 9 19 12394 200 1155 268 14037

78529 A719 PR Low Rd A77 0.25 38 47 14902 444 1817 453 17662

78530 A79 PR Shawfarm Road A78 1.8 38 119 15885 210 2082 580 18875 roundabout 80216 A77 TR B741 A719 4.35 4 108 5843 112 1342 776 8182

80265 A759 PR A78 LA Boundary 3.91 9 29 6030 102 1024 620 7804

80272 A759 PR B746 Kilmarnock A78 0.25 32 66 10662 126 1090 317 12261 Road 80273 A759 PR B746 Main Street B746 Kilmarnock Road 1.24 12 23 3515 145 613 136 4432

80357 A77 TR A77 Kirkpatrick B7022 Hamilton Street 0.75 12 5 2288 98 416 201 3007 Street

Appendix C - Hub Design Palettes

C.1

3 Commercial in Confidence

Capita Property and Infrastructure Ltd