Waterborne Transport Study - Stage 2 User Survey Methodology and Findings Report

2012 Waterborne Transport Study - Stage 2 User Survey Methodology and Findings Report Transport Planning Environment Directorate Waterborne Transport Study – Stage 2: User Survey Methodology and Findings Report. This Page is Intentionally Blank. II Waterborne Transport Study – Stage 2: User Survey Methodology and Findings Report. Waterborne Transport Feasibility Study Stage 2: Pilot Projects. User Survey Methodology and Findings Report. Prepared by Joseph Rose of Dorset County Council with the introduction from The Dorset and East Devon Waterborne Passenger Transport Feasibility Study by Chris Fisher of Fisher Associates. Document History Version Date Approved By Notes Draft for Coastal Communities Incomplete Draft 19/09/2012 Unchecked Funding Bid. First Draft Initial Draft For Checking Draft Draft for final Checking Final Final Report Dorset County Council - Transport Planning. Planning Division, Environment Directorate, Dorset County Council, County Hall, Dorchester, Dorset. DT1 1XJ Fisher Associates. Seaways, Rowes Lane, East End, Lymington, Hampshire. SO41 5SU. III Waterborne Transport Study – Stage 2: User Survey Methodology and Findings Report. This Page is Intentionally Blank. IV Waterborne Transport Study – Stage 2: User Survey Methodology and Findings Report. Executive Summary Abstract To be completed Introduction Dorset and East Devon are extremely beautiful rural areas of the country. Both counties have large sections dedicated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the majority of the coastline has world heritage status as the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. In addition to the natural beauty of the area, both Dorset and East Devon have numerous towns and villages renowned for their historic built environment and there are also a large number of visitor events and attractions in the area. All of these elements make Dorset and East Devon popular for thousands of visitors each year which contributes considerably to the local economy. However, the large number of car-borne visitors results in significant pressure on the landscape, environment, transport network and also restricts further growth of the local economy. The Jurassic Coast Transport Strategy was prepared in 2005 to address the issues associated with the large number of car-borne visitors. This document provided an overall strategy to guide a more sustainable approach to transport along the coast. A key element of the strategy and a subsequent Action Plan produced in 2009 was to investigate and develop the potential for waterborne transport along the Jurassic Coast, which could abstract some of the car-borne trips in the area and reduce the considerable pressures these impose. In 2009 the first study into waterborne transport was produced by Fisher Associates. This study provided the initial investigation into the potential for waterborne transport along the Jurassic Coast, finding that there may be a significant market for this form of transport and that the implementation of such services may be feasible. The first study provided the basis for the Waterborne Transport Stage 2 Feasibility Study which was instructed in 2010 and carried out by Fisher Associates in association with BMT Nigel Gee. This study focused on the investigation of three pilot routes across the Jurassic Coast. Providing a more detailed articulation of the vision for waterborne transport and assessing the feasibility of each of the pilot routes below: East Devon Pilot: Sidmouth, Beer/Seaton and Lyme Regis (with the addition of West Bay); Weymouth & Portland Pilot; and Poole Bay Pilot: Swanage, Studland, Poole and Bournemouth. To underpin the Stage 2 Feasibility Study, during the summer of 2010 Dorset County Council’s Transport Planning Team carried out a detailed survey of user factors that could affect the feasibility of the three pilot routes. The aim of the survey exercise was to provide robust, valid data in support of the Stage 2 Feasibility Study by investigating the user factors that could affect the feasibility of the pilot routes. In terms of user factors, the Stage 2 Study required data relating to potential demand and fare prices for the preparation of outline financial assessments for each of the pilot routes. This information, coupled with an insight into the factors that could affect demand was deemed appropriate to assist potential operators in assessing the investment potential of the pilot routes. Another primary objective of the Stage 2 Study was to achieve incorporation into Devon and Dorset’s third Local Transport Plan (LTP3). LTP3 sets out each county’s strategic transport policies for the period between 2011 and 2026. The incorporation of waterborne transport in these plans V Waterborne Transport Study – Stage 2: User Survey Methodology and Findings Report. was an important step forward in delivering the services, however, required robust data in terms of potential impact on the existing transport network. Reflecting the needs of the Stage 2 Feasibility Study and LTP3, the term ‘user factors’ was broken down into the following four research areas: The potential demand for waterborne transport; The factors that could affect potential demand; The willingness to pay for the services; and The potential impact on the existing transport network. In addition to these research areas a further secondary research area was added that centred on contextual information (age, sex etc.). Allowing for the validity of the results to be assessed and ensured in terms of demographic distribution. This document provides a summary of the methodology employed and the key findings relating to the identified research areas for the Waterborne Transport Study - Stage 2 Survey. Please Note: This current summary is based upon the incomplete draft of the Stage 2 Survey Report. All of the data gathered from the survey has been analysed, however, the writing up of the findings has not yet been completed. Therefore, this summary focuses on the findings for the first three research areas which are largely completed and written up. The final report will be completed and available before January 2013. Please check on the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s website for the final report. www.dorsetaonb.org.uk Methodology It was clear from the outset that there would be two distinct groups that may use the waterborne transport pilot routes, namely: Residents; and Visitors. These groups were likely to have differing responses to each of the research areas. Therefore, the survey methodology needed allow for the segmentation of these groups in the data, providing more clarity in analysis and useful information for potential operators. Having identified the research areas for the survey and the need to segment the groups, the questions to be posed to participants were devised (Shown in Table ES1). This was undertaken through a process of brain storming and discussion with the waterborne transport working group, to identify what questions were required to fully inform each research area. Research Question (Question Code) Whole Pilot Landing Rationale Demand for Waterborne Transport. (D1) - Assuming an appropriate vessel This question is of interest at all for the sea conditions, would people be levels of analysis as the potential interested in travelling by boat between demand between each landing point the identified landing points? can be assessed. This question is not applicable at the landing point level as respondents (D2) - How often would people use the were not asked to differentiate services if they were available? usage levels between the landing points within the questionnaire. VI Waterborne Transport Study – Stage 2: User Survey Methodology and Findings Report. Only applicable for the Poole Bay Pilot. Data displayed at the pilot (D3) - Where would people rather the level as the difference in response Poole landing point? between the landing points will not assist in the feasibility assessment. Factors that Could Affect Demand. F1 data not shown at the landing (F1) - What factors would influence point or pilot level as the results peoples decision to travel by boat? were largely the same across the pilot routes. (F2) - Would potential users like an on- F2 data only shown at the pilot level board commentary describing the allowing potential operators to make a decision to include or omit features of the Jurassic Coast as they commentary for each route. pass them? Willingness to Pay. Willingness to pay results are not (W1) - How much would people be applicable across the pilots due to willing to pay to for a waterborne the differences in leg length and return trip between the landing points? location of the routes. Impact on the Existing Transport Network. (I1) - Do people currently travel between the identified landing points? (I2) - What mode of transport do people currently use to travel between the identified landing points? With the exception of I4, Impact on (I3) - For what purposes do people the transport network can only be travel between the identified landing analysed at the landing point level due to the nature of the results points? gained. I4 is analysed at the pilot (I4) - For what purposes would people level to provide information relating use waterborne transport between the to the likely journey purposes of landing points? users of each pilot route, which will assist in the timetabling of future (I5) - What would be the potential shift services. from other modes to waterborne transport? (I6) - What would be the potential increase in trips to

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