West of England Full Business Case Programme: Early Investment Scheme: Great Stoke Roundabout Capacity Improvement Originated Reviewed Authorised Date 1 Version 1.5 VH 2 Version1.6 TA VH 3 Version 1.7 TA VH 4 Version 1.8 RG 19/7/19 5 Version 1.9 TA RG 22/7/19 Version 2.0 VH Executive Summary Great Stoke Roundabout is located in South Gloucestershire on the boundary of Stoke Gifford to the south and Bradley Stoke to the north. It is on the edge of the Bristol urban area close to residential, industrial and commercial areas. There are a number of developments close by in the North Fringe such as Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood (CPNN), Horizon 38, Charlton Hayes, Harry Stoke New Neighbourhood and Haw Wood. The North Fringe of Bristol is a major economic hub within the region, which is continuing to expand with the Filton Enterprise Area (FEA) being identified in the West of England Spatial Plan (JSP) as a key strategic employment location. It is also a key component to the region’s housing strategy, with approximately 7,700 dwellings committed in the South Gloucestershire Core Strategy (CS) as part of the CPNN and Harry Stoke developments. The roundabout currently experiences delays to traffic during the peak periods and is forecast to become progressively worse as the local developments are implemented leading to increased levels of congestion. This junction is therefore expected to considerably restrict traffic movements from a key transport interchange at Bristol Parkway and the access to the economic centre of South Gloucestershire within the Bristol North Fringe. The North Fridge to Hengrove Package (NFHP) metrobus route travels through this junction. To maximise the attractiveness of the route and maximise sustainable travel choices, it is important that it operates as reliably as possible. Furthermore, Great Stoke Roundabout sits at the confluence of several walking and cycling routes. The crossings at the roundabout are currently uncontrolled, which leads to chances of conflict between non-motorised users (NMUs) and vehicles especially at busy times. The increased capacity of critical network pinch points such as Great Stoke Roundabout is essential to the development of the region’s infrastructure, to meet the housing and economic growth ambitions. The key objective is to mitigate forecast traffic congestion at Great Stoke Roundabout. Expected impacts (compared to the ‘do nothing’) include: • Reduced levels of traffic congestion; • Improved journey time reliability for all road users including public transport services; • Reduced vehicular emissions; and • Improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. The proposed scheme consists of widening to the existing roundabout plus the addition of Toucan crossings. The total cost of this scheme is estimated £2.91 million (base year price in 2018 plus inflation). It is expected that the construction will start Q4 2019/20 and be completed by Q3 2020/21. The economic assessment undertaken indicates that the total present value of benefits (PVB) will be £9.95 million compared to a total present value of costs (PVC) of £2.2 million. This gives a net present value (NPV) of around £7.7 million and a high benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 4.4. SGC undertook a public consultation exercise on the scheme between 18 February and 29 March 2019. Overall 75% of respondents supported the scheme. The construction phase of the project will be delivered in accordance with SGC’s project management framework, using experience gained from similar highway improvement schemes. 1 Strategic Case This Strategic Case sets out the rationale for the Great Stoke Roundabout Capacity Improvement scheme. It builds upon the information presented in the Great Stoke Roundabout Capacity Outline Business Case (OBC) which was submitted to the West of England Combined Authorities (WECA) earlier this year and the Option Assessment Report (OAR) attached to this Full Business Case (FBC) submission. 1.1 State Aid Considerations South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) is the promoter of the Great Stoke Roundabout Capacity Improvement scheme. The scheme is considered to be state aid compliant in accordance with details provided in the State Aid: The Basics Guide issued by BIS in July 2015. The proposed project is for improvements to an existing roundabout which forms a part of the public highway network. This infrastructure is currently in the ownership of the Local Highway Authority and would remain so following improvements. The proposed improvements would benefit the local highway network and increase network resilience. The table below demonstrates that the scheme does not constitute State Aid. 1. Is the assistance granted by the state or • “Granted by the State” means by any through state resources? public or private body controlled by the state (which, in the UK, means national or YES local Government). • “State resources” is broad: any measure with an impact on the state budget or where the state has significant control are included, for example, tax exemptions, Lottery funding and the EU structural Funds. 2. Does the assistance give an advantage to • An “undertaking” is any organisation one or more undertakings over others? engaged in economic activity. NO - This is about activity rather than legal form, so non-profit organisations, charities and public bodies can all be undertakings, depending on the activities they are involved in. - An undertaking can also include operators and ‘middlemen’ if they benefit from the funding. • “Economic activity” means putting goods or services on a market. It is not necessary to make a profit to be engaged in economic activity: if others in the market offer the same good or service, it is an economic activity. Support to an organisation engaged in a non-economic activity isn’t State aid, e.g. support to individuals through the social security system is not state aid. • An “advantage” can take many forms: not just a grant, loan or tax break, but also use of a state asset for free or at less than market price. Essentially, it is something an undertaking could not get in the normal course of business. 3. Does the assistance distort or have the • If the assistance strengthens the recipient potential to distort competition? relative to its competitors then the answer is likely to be “yes”. No • The “potential to distort competition” does not have to be substantial or significant: may include relatively small amounts of financial support to firms with modest market share. 4. Does the assistance affect trade between The interpretation of this is broad: it is Member States enough that a product or service is tradable between Member States, even if the No recipient does not itself export to other EU Markets. 1.2 Project Description Great Stoke Roundabout is located in South Gloucestershire on the boundary of Stoke Gifford to the south and Bradley Stoke to the north. The roundabout is on the edge of the contiguous Bristol urban area, with residential areas to the west and north, industrial and commercial facilities to the north east and arable land to the southeast. There are a number of development sites in the North Fringe that are either committed or in the planning process such as Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood (CPNN), Horizon 38, Charlton Hayes, Harry Stoke New Neighbourhood and Haw Wood. This proposed highway improvement scheme will increase capacity at the Great Stoke roundabout. The proposed scheme consists of widening to the existing roundabout plus the addition of Toucan crossings. Specifically, it comprises the following elements: • Localised widening and modifications to road markings on the circulatory to increase from two to three lanes; • Localised widening and modifications to road markings on all approaches to increase from two to three lanes; • The introduction of in line Toucan crossings on each of the 4 arms which are prioritised for pedestrian and cyclists as this will be an attractive alternative to cyclist using the 3 lanes circulatory roundabout, whilst minimising their delay via the crossing points. The crossings are proposed in-line to cater better for cycle crossing movements. A minimum island separation of 3.5 metres is proposed between the crossings; • Provision of lane markings within the circulatory to guide traffic flows; • The introduction of high quality carriageway entry and exit points for cyclists which are clearly textualised, coloured and marked; • Provision of a maintenance lay-by near the Toucan crossing on both arms of Winterbourne road; • Relocation of cycle access ramp on Great Stoke Way to provide greater separation between this ramp and the proposed crossing to reduce the risk of collisions between cyclists leaving the road and pedestrians waiting to cross Great Stoke Way; • The introduction of cycle advanced directional signs to TSRGD 2601.2 on all 4 arms, which clearly advises the approaching cyclist on how to circumnavigate the roundabout safely; • The introduction of Lane confirmatory advanced directional signs to TSRGD 2114 on all 4 arms, to clearly advise traffic of the lane designation and reduce last minute lane changes; and • Widen shared use foot and cycle paths where possible, to a suitable width with a high- quality surface finish. The proposed scheme layout is presented in appendix 1.1. The Winterbourne Road/Old Gloucester Road junction does not fall within the scope of this scheme. The planned scheme improvements can be accommodated on highway land. The total cost of this scheme is estimated £2.91 million (base year price in 2018 plus inflation). It is expected that the construction will start Q4 2019/20 and be completed by Q3 2020/21. 1.3 Project Objectives and Case for Change Traffic modelling indicates that the roundabout will operate significantly over-capacity in both peak periods by 2036, with particular problems on the Winterbourne Road approaches. This junction is therefore expected to considerably restrict traffic movements from a key transport interchange at Bristol Parkway and the access to the economic centre of South Gloucestershire within the Bristol North Fringe.