The Assistant Director Infrastructure and Programmes

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REPORT OF

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROGRAMMES

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TO THE REGENERATION SCRUTINY SELECT COMMITTEE

ON THE 27TH FEBRUARY 2014

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TITLE:Transport for Greater Manchester A580 East Lancashire Road Bus Priority Proposals

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RECOMMENDATIONS:

That the Regeneration Scrutiny Select Committee notes this report.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Greater Manchester Bus Priority Scheme includes improvements to a number of key arterial routes within Greater Manchester, including the A580 in Salford. The A580 East Lancashire Road scheme includes the introduction of a range of bus priority, pedestrian, cyclist and general traffic management improvements along the A580 in Salford between Newearth Road and Frederick Road which are all proposed to be delivered during 2014 and 2015. The scheme is integral to and will complement the guided busway scheme between Leigh and Ellenbrook which is currently being constructed.

On 19th February 2014, the City Council’s Procurement Board approved that Galliford Try Infrastructure Limited be appointed as Principal Contractor for the Bus Priority Scheme in Salford between Newearth Road and Frederick Road in accordance with the OJEU procurement process carried out jointly by Salford City Council and Urban Vision.

It is intended that civil engineering works will begin on site in March 2014 and be completed in spring 2015 to coincide with the opening of the guided busway.

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:

(Available for public inspection)

• Report to the City Procurement Board 19th February 2014

• Bus Priority Scheme Delivery Agreement;

Note – The draft Deed of Variation to the Bus Priority Delivery Agreement is currently a Part 2 confidential document, as GMCA and TfGM have yet to formally agree it;

• Report of the Assistant Director Infrastructure and Programmes to the City Mayor on 12 August 2013 (Combined OJEU Procurement Process);

• Report of the Assistant Director Infrastructure and Programmes to the Deputy City Mayor on the 14th January 2013 (Bus Priority Scheme Delivery Agreement); and

• Information and documents produced by Transport for Greater Manchester, available at:

• “Better journeys on the East Lancashire Road (A580) – January 2014;
• “Greater Manchester Bus Priority Package – putting you in the picture, July 2012;
• “Improving Bus Connections between Leigh, Salford and Manchester”, December 2011; and
• Plans of the A580 Bus Priority proposals.

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KEY DECISION:No, this report is for briefing only

Details

1.0Background

1.1The Bus Priority Schemes project will provide over 25 miles of new and improved bus services and infrastructure to enhance journeys between Leigh, Middleton and Parrs Wood through the Regional Centre. The scheme will improve access to employment, social and educational opportunities and give better access to leisure, shopping and key regional facilities. The scheme will also reduce bus journey times, improve punctuality and reliability, and help to reduce the carbon impact of future traffic growth.

1.2Bus journey times along the corridor between Leigh, Atherton, Salford and south Manchester will be improved. For example between NewearthRd andManchester City Centre typically in the morning peak the current journey takes approximately 50 minutes. Once the infrastructure and new service is introduced on the A580 this journey is likely to be reduced to approximately 35 minutes. A further example is the journey to ManchesterUniversity which includes an approximate 10 minute interchange penalty where passengers need to change buses. With the removal of this interchange penalty a journey between Newearth Road and ManchesterUniversity is anticipated to take around 45 minutes as opposed to up to 75 minutes currently. As important, is the ability to deliver the improved journey times on a consistent and reliable basis which means that passengers will be able to catch a bus at any time of the day having a confidence that the journey time will be consistent.

1.3Typically in the UK, bus priority and bus rapid transit schemes generate a transfer from private car in terms of patronage between 5% and 25%. However, in terms of the modelling assessment for the impact of the A580 measures on general traffic, no modal shift has been assumedin order to apply a robust approach.

1.4In terms of forecast patronage for the Busway services,TfGM is currently in the final stages of a procurement process to secure an operator and patronage estimates are key to informing a number of commercial discussions. It is therefore not possible to include the latest forecasts within this report at this time as this could potentially compromise TfGM’s position with the operators currently in the bidding process. TfGM is happy to provide additional information to Members on conclusion of the procurement process which is expected to be completed in spring 2014.

1.5 The Bus Priority Scheme on the A580 East Lancashire Road between Newearth Road Junction and Frederick Road will provide a dedicated 24 hour bus lane facility tocomplement the Leigh to Salford guided section of busway which is currently under construction and due for completion in 2015. The proposals for the A580 were identified within the AGMA Greater Manchester Major Transport Scheme Prioritisation and Funding Strategy 2009. Full scheme approvals were provided on 27thMarch 2012 as a priority transport project within the £1.5 billion GM Transport Fund.

1.6 The scheme along the A580 East Lancashire Road throughSalford extends approximately 6 miles from Newearth Road to Frederick Road. Once completed in spring 2015, there will be a minimum of 2 lanes for general traffic and a dedicated bus lane in the Manchester (east) bound direction. This will be achieved either by widening the carriageway, or by reducing the existing 3 lanes currently available to general traffic. A bus lane will be provided in the Liverpool (west) bound carriageway but it will not be continuous. Improvements to junctions will include the introduction of a new more responsive traffic light systemwhich is expected to reduce delays by 10-15% at each of the junctions. Bus-only lanes will end in advance of road junctions to maximise junction capacity. Taken together, TfGM forecast that the new measures will not have any significant adverse impact on general traffic journey times.

1.7The scheme will introduce a new junction located beneath the M60/M61 motorways to provide access to a new 250 space Park and Ride facility.

1.8The scheme will also deliver the improvement of pedestrian facilities. These include the provision of new ‘Walk on Green crossing facilities at the junctions of Newearth Road, Walkden Road, Old Clough Lane and the new Park and Ride site. A new pedestrian crossing facility is to be provided between Lancaster Road and Eccles Road. A Toucan crossing will be provided at the M61 off slip (eastbound) to assist cyclists.

1.9The works are summarised on the information leaflet ‘Better Journeys on the East Lancashire Road (A580), produced by TfGM in partnership with the City Council and which is appended to this report. The scheme can be considered inthree distinct sections;

• Between Newearth Road in Ellenbrook to Moorside Road in Swinton;There will be extensive carriageway widening to create a new bus lane on the Manchester (east) bound side with more limited widening on the Liverpool (west) bound side.

• Between Moorside Road and Lancaster Road in Swinton; Here the bus lane will be marked on the existing carriageway reducing the number of general traffic lanes from three to two.

• Between Lancaster Road and Frederick Road; Buses will re-join the general traffic and utilise existing bus lanes.

1.10 The City Council will be making a total financial contribution of £639,727.76to enable crossing improvements at the A580 / Newearth Road junction, an upgrade of the street lighting to LED and to replace worn areas of carriageway surfacing along the route. Thiscontribution is considered the best way to deliver the works without causing further disruption to traffic.

2.0 Bus Priority Delivery Agreement Mechanism

2.1 The construction of this scheme was intended to be in 2 phases; Old Clough Lane to Frederick Road being first, and Newearth Road to Old Clough Lane being the second. In order to deliver the first phase of the scheme a formal Delivery Agreement between Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the City Council was approved by the Deputy City Mayor on the 14th January 2013. Under the Agreement, TfGM will act as delivery agents for both GMCA and the City Council. Urban Vision will be appointed to deliver the Bus Priority Scheme as consultant lead, in accordance with the principles of the City Council’s current contract with Urban Vision - the Development Services Partnering Agreement (DSPA), but subject to a schedule of Special Requirements.

2.2Due to a delay in the programmed delivery of the first phase, TfGM and GMCA resolved to combine both phases and re-procure as a single scheme. It has become necessary therefore for the Delivery Agreement to be the subject of a Deed of Variation which will amend the scope of the works, but not significantly change the underlying terms and conditions.

2.3 Approval has been provided on the 9th April 2013 by the Assistant Mayor for Strategic Planning for funding contributions of £300,000 from the Transport Capital Programme (Block 3) 2013/2014 for junction improvement work at Newearth Road, £134,960 from the Highways Investment Programme 2013/2014 and £84,767.76 from the Street Lighting Investment Programme 2013/2014 (£519,727 in total).

2.4 The Assistant Mayor for Strategic Planning will be requested in March 2014 to approve a further contribution of £120,000 from the Highways Investment Programme 2013/14 to replace some areas of highway surfacing on the A580 between Newearth Road andWalkden Road that are in need of repair by the Highway Authority. It is considered that this can be delivered more cost effectively and with less disruption to road users through the Bus Priority contract.

3.0Bus Priority Scheme Procurement

3.1 The City Council and Urban Vision jointly carried out an OJEU procurement process during 2013. Tenders received were evaluated based on a 60:40 Price: Quality ratio and the recommendation of the process was that Galliford Try Infrastructure Limited be appointed as Principal Contractor for the lump sum price of £8,585,622.35. The recommendation was approved by the City Council Procurement Board on the 19th February 2014.

A summary of the project costs is as shown in Table 1 below:

(*) some SU diversionary requirements/costs currently being negotiated

(**) Urban Vision fees draft not yet finalised and agreed with TfGM

(***) Approval to contribution to be requested in March 2014

4.0 Bus Priority Programme Overview

4.1 The programme for the construction of the works is as follows;

• Salford City Council Procurement Board19th February 2014

• City Mayor briefing 24th February 2014

• Assistant Mayor for Strategic Planning 11th March 2014

• Contract award and start on site 17th March 2014

• Contract completion Spring 2015

4.2 The anticipated completion date of spring 2015 is complementary to the completion of the TfGM Guided Busway which extends from Leigh to NewearthRoad.

5.0 Traffic Management During Construction

5.1 The importance of good traffic management and congestion reduction has been a significant factor in the selection of the most suitable contractor. Where practical, works will be carried out off-peak under lane closure. A temporary speed reduction to 30mph is being considered whilst the works are in place.

5.2It is expected that general working times during the week will be restricted as follows;

• Manchester (east) bound traffic – restrictions to traffic only after 10.00am.

• Liverpool (west) bound traffic – restrictions to traffic only before 3.30pm.

5.3In general, works will stop at 6.00pm and outside the working hours the respective carriageway will generally be free from traffic management, maximising space and capacity. There may be exceptions to the above and there will be weekend working to facilitate junction resurfacing. There will be occasional local side road closures requiring local diversions. These details will be confirmed with the Contractor in due course and publicised in accordance with the communications strategy detailed below.

6.0The Contractor’s Construction Timetable.

6.1 A plan of the works will be displayed at the meeting to assist detailed discussion. Information presented by Galliford Try indicates that they will construct in a sequence designed to best co-ordinate the civil engineering works and diversions of Statutory Undertaker’s plant and equipment, optimising the available road space. Whilst this information still needs to be finalised with Galliford Try, the proposed sequence of works is described below in specific time periods;

• From: 31/03/14 to 01/08/14

Works between Moorside Road and Lancaster Road ( Including Lancaster Road Junction).

The bus lane is to be provided on the existing carriageway. There are improvements to the signals at the Worsley Road, Eccles Road and Lancaster Road junctions, where the signals will be upgraded with SCOOT / MOVA facilities (a traffic flow monitoring system which changes signal timings to maximise traffic flow through junctions.) The A580 approaches to the junctions will also be resurfaced. There are several bus stops in this phase which will be upgraded to the new TfGM standards. There are also 3 existing bus stops which will be closed at the following locations;

i)Liverpool (west) bound carriageway, east of Lancaster Road

ii)Liverpool (west) bound carriageway, east of Worsley Road

iii)Manchester (east) bound carriageway, east of Worsley Road

• From: 31/03/14 to 27/06/14

Works to the junction at Moorside Road

The signals on the junction are proposed to be upgraded to operate on SCOOT / MOVA. Works include carriageway resurfacing & new road markings

• From: 21/04/14 to 06/06/14

Works between Lancaster Road and the University

Works to upgrade 3 no. bus stops to the new TfGM standards and renew carriageway / bus lane markings and signs.

• From 09/06/14 to 10/10/14

Works between Old Clough Lane junction and the new Park & Ride junction at the M60.

There will be widening works on the Manchester (east) bound side. On the approach to the junction dedicated left turn lanes into Old Clough Lane from both eastbound and westbound carriageways of the A580 will be provided. It is also proposed to signalise the junction providing toucan crossing facilities on all arms of the junction and introduce SCOOT / MOVA. All street lighting columns are to be replaced with modern LED lighting columns. There are also associated drainage improvement, traffic signs and carriageway resurfacing works.

• From 27/07/14 to 03 /11/14

Works to the Park & Ride Junction between M60 on slip and M61 off slip

There will be widening to both east & west bound carriageways. A new junction will be constructed to provide access the to the proposed Park and Ride facility. The junction will be signal controlled and will operate on SCOOT/MOVA. Dedicated left & right turn will lanes will be provided to access the P&R facility and 2no bus stops will be constructed. All street lighting columns are to be replaced with LED lighting columns. There are also associated drainage improvements, traffic signs and carriageway resurfacing works.

• From 27/07/14 to 03/11/14

Works between the M61 off slip and Moorside Road

The works consist of some road widening both east & west bound. The M61 slip junction with the A580 is proposed to be signalised and will operate on SCOOT/MOVA and provide toucan crossing facilities across the A580 and the M61 slip road. The upgrade of 2 bus stops is also proposed. All street lighting columns are to be replaced with LED lighting columns. There are also associated drainage improvements, traffic signs and carriageway resurfacing works.

• From 13/10/14 to 27/02/15

Works between NewearthRoad andWalkden Road

The works consist of road widening on the east boundbound carriageway. The signal controlled junction of the A580 with Newearth Road is to be upgraded to operate on SCOOT/MOVA and to provide toucan crossing facilities across all arms of the junction. 2 bus stops on Newearth Road will be relocated and upgraded to the newTfGM standards. All street lighting columns are to be replaced with LED lighting columns. There are also associated drainage improvement, traffic signs and carriageway resurfacing works.

• From 13/10/14 to 27/02/15

Works between Walkden Road Junction and Old Clough Lane

There will be widening to both east & west bound carriageways. The works also consist of improving and upgrading the junction of Walkden Road with the A580. The approaches to the signal controlled junction are proposed to be widened to accommodate left turn lanes. The signals will be upgraded to operate SCOOT /MOVA and provide toucan crossing facilities across all arms of the junction.2 new bus stops will be provided to the east & west of Walkden Road. All street lighting columns are to be replaced with LED lighting columns. There are also associated drainage improvement, traffic signs and carriageway resurfacing works.

7.0 Advance Works And Utility Diversions

7.1 General vegetation clearance is expected to start at the end of February 2014 in advance of the main civil engineering works.

7.2 Statutory Undertaker’s plant and equipment is programmed to be carried out to complement the main civil engineering works and so reduce disruption to traffic and residents. The utility works are proposed as follows;

• BT; Diversion work between Old Clough Lane to M61 now completed.

• Virgin Media; Diversion work between Walkden Road and Ellenbrook Road. Works commenced on 17th Feb 2014 and are programmed to be completed by the end of March 2014

• BT; Diversion work around the M61 junction. Works are expected to commence during March and be completed by mid May 2014.

• Electricity North West; Diversion work between Walkden Road and Ellenbrook Road. Works are expected to commence in April and be completed by the end of June 2014.

• UU Water; Diversion work along Newearth Road footway. Works are expected to commence during May and be completed by the end of June 2014.

• National Grid; Diversion work on the west bound carriageway. Works are expected to commence in May and be completed by the end of July 2014.

• CTIL; Work to telephone mast near Walkden Road. The mast is to be made redundant and is to be removed by June 2014.

• BT; Work planned between Newearth Road and Old Clough Lane expected to commence June 2014 and be completed by the end of September 2014

8.0 Bus Priority Communications Strategy