Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopm - Hertfordshire County ...

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport SchemePrioritisationScheme Overview - WatfordJunction Interchange Redevelopment(Watford)IGC003Issue | 4 March 2013This report takes into account the particularinstructions and requirements of our client.It is not intended for and should not be reliedupon by any third party and no responsibilityis undertaken to any third party.Job numbernumberOve Arup & Partners LtdThe Arup CampusBlythe GateBlythe Valley ParkSolihull B90 8AEUnited Kingdomwww.arup.com

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport Scheme PrioritisationScheme Overview - Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)Contents1 Introduction 12 Strategic Case 23 Economic Case 54 Financial Case 55 Management Case 66 Commercial Case 87 GAP Analysis 8Page7.1 Strategic Case 87.2 Economic Case 97.3 Financial Case 97.4 Management Case 97.5 Commercial Case 97.6 Costs and Timescale for Gap Analysis 9DrawingsDrawing 1 Location PlanDrawing 2 – Scheme PlanIGC003 | Issue | 4 March 2013J:\05200\5244-18\POSSJOBS\POSS JOBS 2013\HCC FRAMEWORK MAJOR SCHEME BUSINESS CASE\REPORTS\FINAL ISSUE BY HCC\130304 WATFORD JUNCTIONINTERCHANGE REDEVELOPMENT (WATFORD) ISSUE.DOCX

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport Scheme PrioritisationScheme Overview - Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)1 IntroductionThe Department for Transport (DfT) has announced its intention to devolvefunding for local major transport schemes to Local Transport Bodies (LTBs) from2015. LTBs will be voluntary partnerships between Local Authorities (LAs),Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and other organisations.The primary role of LTBs will be to prioritise investments, to review and approveindividual business cases for those investments, and to ensure effective delivery ofthe programme.The membership of Hertfordshire LTB is set out in the Assurance Framework andcomprises representatives of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP),Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), Hertfordshire Infrastructure PlanningPartnership (HIPP) and includes the following observers; Network Rail (NR),Highways Agency (HA) and Transport for London (TfL).The DfT require LTBs to submit a provisional list of prioritised schemes in July2013. To support this process, a Scheme Overview document has been producedto set out the main strategic issues for five schemes that have the greatest potentialfor delivery in the 2015-2019 timeframe: A120 Bypass (Little Hadham) A602 Improvements (Stevenage to/from Ware) Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford) M1-Maylands Link NE Relief Road (Hemel Hempstead) A1(M) Congestion Relief (Welwyn Garden City to/from Stevenage)Each document describes the key elements of the scheme under the five cases(Strategic, Economic, Commercial, Financial and Management) that would berequired for a subsequent Transport Business Case submission. The report sets outthe components of the scheme appraisal that are well developed and key elementsstill required.This document is the Scheme Overview for the Watford Junction InterchangeRedevelopment (Watford).Scheme DescriptionA Location Plan and a Scheme Plan based on the previous masterplan areprovided in the Drawing Section of this report. The scheme includes:Improvements to the station forecourt and interchange.A new rear station interchange/ entrance facility.A new multi-storey station car park.The extension of Colonial Way to create a link between the A4008Stephenson Way (which links to the M1 at junction 5) and the A412 StAlbans Road and including a crossing over the St Albans branch line.The transport changes will support the development of Watford JunctionGoods Yard area and existing surface level car park land around thestation and sites associated with the proposed Colonial Way Extension.IGC003 | Issue | 4 March 2013J:\05200\5244-18\POSSJOBS\POSS JOBS 2013\HCC FRAMEWORK MAJOR SCHEME BUSINESS CASE\REPORTS\FINAL ISSUE BY HCC\130304 WATFORD JUNCTIONINTERCHANGE REDEVELOPMENT (WATFORD) ISSUE.DOCXPage C1

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport Scheme PrioritisationScheme Overview - Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)2 Strategic CaseBusiness StrategyProvide the context for the business case by describing the strategic aims andresponsibilities of the organisation responsible for the proposal.Hertfordshire County Council is the Transport Authority for the county and hasset out five goals that form the basis of the county transport strategy. The WatfordJunction Interchange Redevelopment Scheme:Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)LTP3 GoalsLevel ofSupportBenefits of Scheme1. Support economic developmentand planned dwelling growth2. Improve transport opportunitiesfor all and achieve behaviouralchange in mode choice3. Enhance quality of life, healthand the natural, built and historicenvironment for all Hertfordshireresidents4. Improve the safety and securityof residents and other road users5. Reduce transport’s contributionto greenhouse gas emissions andimprove its resilience.***** The scheme offers potential tounlock substantial housing anddevelopment opportunities.***** Improves public transportaccessibility and reliability.Supports behavioural change.**** Improves journey experience forpublic transport users. Improvesthe built environment of thestation.*** New road links to currentstandards. Improved builtenvironment may contribute tosense of security.**** Reduced congestion andencourage public transport use.***** - Very high level of support**** - High level of support*** - Medium level of support** - Low level of support* - Very low level of supportThe scheme is viewed as having a positive impact on social/distributional aspectsas a result of the regeneration benefits and the improvements to a critical publictransport hub.IGC003 | Issue | 4 March 2013J:\05200\5244-18\POSSJOBS\POSS JOBS 2013\HCC FRAMEWORK MAJOR SCHEME BUSINESS CASE\REPORTS\FINAL ISSUE BY HCC\130304 WATFORD JUNCTIONINTERCHANGE REDEVELOPMENT (WATFORD) ISSUE.DOCXPage C2

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport Scheme PrioritisationScheme Overview - Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)Internal drivers for ChangeWhat is driving the need to change (e.g. improved technology, newbusiness/service development as a result of policy?)Hertfordshire County Council’s vision is to provide a safe, efficient and resilienttransport system that serves the needs of business and residents acrossHertfordshire and minimises its impact on the environment.This will be achieved by making best use of the existing networks and introducingtargeted schemes where improvements are required so as to deliver a reliable andreadily usable transport network to benefit local business, encourage furthereconomic growth and allow access for all to everyday facilities.ObjectiveEstablish specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound objectivesthat will solve the problem identified. Ensure that they align with theorganisation’s strategic aims.Four objectives have been identified:To enable Watford Junction station to fulfil its role as a regional transportinterchange.To facilitate the regeneration and redevelopment of the area to the rear ofthe station.To improve accessibility and permeability to and around the station for allforms of mobility including walk, cycle, car, taxi, bus, tram and train.To reduce traffic congestion.Constraints – outlineHigh level internal/external constraints (e.g. technological environment, is therecapability to deliver in-house, major contracts with provider, etc.)There are multiple third-party developers/ land owners and key railindustry stakeholders (including Network Rail as key land owner) withvarious interests that will need to be brought together.Although wide consultation has been carried out, there is still someuncertainty on the specifics of what the development should comprise(outside of the transport elements).Masterplan and planning permission is required.The land available for development is constrained by the severance of thesite imposed by the Abbey Line railway, and the potential options for thelink road to cross the railway. .Stakeholders – outlineOutline the main stakeholder groups and their contributions to the project. Noteany potential conflicts between different stakeholder groups and their demands.Key stakeholders include:IGC003 | Issue | 4 March 2013J:\05200\5244-18\POSSJOBS\POSS JOBS 2013\HCC FRAMEWORK MAJOR SCHEME BUSINESS CASE\REPORTS\FINAL ISSUE BY HCC\130304 WATFORD JUNCTIONINTERCHANGE REDEVELOPMENT (WATFORD) ISSUE.DOCXPage C3

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport Scheme PrioritisationScheme Overview - Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)Hertfordshire County CouncilWatford Borough CouncilHighways AgencyNetwork Rail/Train Operating Companies (station operation andmaintenance issues, and land issues );Various developers/ land owners.Local Community GroupsOptionsProposals were first developed in 2004 which were then modified in 2009. Thetransport impacts of these proposals were set out in Watford Junction StationImprovements – Traffic Impact of Revised Development Proposals December2009. This report was prepared for Hertfordshire County Council. The trafficimpacts report does not include any assessment of the traffic that may begenerated by the redevelopment of the existing surface level car parks.The proposal includes a bridge over the St Albans Branch Line in order tocomplete the Colonial Way Extension to St Albans Road but this may be replacedby a level crossing if the branch line comes forward as a light rail under theAbbey Line Light Rail scheme. It should be noted that a bridge may still berequired even if the line will be converted to light rail, depending on the riskassessment for a level crossing.The 2009 proposals have not been brought forward as a planning application andare currently being reconsidered.The South West Hertfordshire Transport Plan of 2008 supports the plan toredevelop the site.The Watford Local Plan Core Strategy was adopted on 30 January 2013. TheWatford Regeneration Scheme is designated as a Special Policy Area (SPA2) inthat strategy. In the Core Strategy, the SPA2 proposal is for a major mixed useregeneration scheme that will improve the station transport facilities andsurrounding environment resulting in an enhanced multi-modal transportinterchange for train, tram, London underground, taxi, bus, cycling andpedestrians. The associated mixed-use development will deliver new residential,employment, retail and commercial leisure space with associated new physical,social and green infrastructure.The Core Strategy states that the development scheme should include thefollowing land uses and infrastructure items: New station interchange building and access bridge; Improvements to the existing station, including accommodating theCroxley Rail Link and Abbey Line improvements; Car parking and other transport / access improvements;IGC003 | Issue | 4 March 2013J:\05200\5244-18\POSSJOBS\POSS JOBS 2013\HCC FRAMEWORK MAJOR SCHEME BUSINESS CASE\REPORTS\FINAL ISSUE BY HCC\130304 WATFORD JUNCTIONINTERCHANGE REDEVELOPMENT (WATFORD) ISSUE.DOCXPage C4

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport Scheme PrioritisationScheme Overview - Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)Residential – approximately 1,500 units;Offices;An appropriate scale of retail, café and restaurant floor space;Hotel and conference facilities;Commercial leisure facilities;Social facilities such as general practitioner and adult care services;Primary school provision (either on the site or in the vicinity of the site inaccordance with the distances indicated in Table 5) to support the newpopulation introduced into the area;Other commercial uses that are considered suitable for an enhanced districtcentre and that do not unduly impact on the town centre;Communal or district heating systems with the potential to expand thesystem into adjoining areas; andOpen space and links to nearby green infrastructure.A key stakeholder summit is being planned for March 2013 for the developmentof a master plan, which will identify the linkages between constraints, short,medium and long term improvements, economic and housing growth and fundingopportunities. The land owners/developers are discussing the formation of a jointventure or consortium and plan to develop a masterplan (in discussion with thelocal authorities) for the area in the next few months to help to inform whether thepreviously defined transport project will require any modification to support theproposed development.At the time the 2009 scheme was developed, the Croxley Rail Link had notachieved programme entry and the National Station Improvements Programme(NSIP) scheme at Watford Junction had not been developed. These newdevelopments will need to be taken into account in the proposed master planningexercise.3 Economic CaseThe 2004 scheme had a BCR over 10, with a scheme cost of £14 million at 2003/4prices, however the scheme has evolved since then.A full economic appraisal of the redevelopment has not been carried out as thescheme has evolved. It is likely that a scheme involving the extension of ColonialWay will require traffic modelling. In the past this has been carried out using theSW Herts SATURN model. The Highways Agency may need to be involvedgiven the possible impacts on the M1 Junction 5 and they have not signed off thismodel. It is also possible given the congested nature of the local road network andthe nature of the scheme that a variable demand model will be required usingDIADEM.4 Financial CaseBudgets/Funding Cover – outlineProvide analysis of the budget/funding cover for project. Set out if relevant,details of other funding sources (e.g. third party contributions, fees)IGC003 | Issue | 4 March 2013J:\05200\5244-18\POSSJOBS\POSS JOBS 2013\HCC FRAMEWORK MAJOR SCHEME BUSINESS CASE\REPORTS\FINAL ISSUE BY HCC\130304 WATFORD JUNCTIONINTERCHANGE REDEVELOPMENT (WATFORD) ISSUE.DOCXPage C5

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport Scheme PrioritisationScheme Overview - Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)Develop communications strategy for the project.During the development and implementation of the scheme, the project team willwork closely with the key stakeholders, keeping them informed of progress atregular intervals. Partnership working has already been established in developingthe scheme appraisal and this will be continued through the next stages.Further public consultation is also planned during the detail design stage. Keystakeholders will be involved, as necessary, in developing the scheme proposalsand also in the consultation process. Other stakeholders include statutoryundertakers and statutory consultees. Liaison with these organisations will becontinued during the scheme development to ensure that the proposals are robustto minimise any unforeseen risks, etc.Risk management strategy – outlineArrangements for risk management and its effectiveness so far.Risks will be owned and managed by the Project Board in accordance withrecognised guidance form the Cabinet Office Best Management PracticeManagement of Risk approach, namely identify, assess, plan and implement.The County Council’s Risk Management Information System (RMIS) will formthe basis of risk review workshops and risk interviews with key projectstakeholders.Programme/project reporting – outlineDescribe reporting arrangements.The Project Manager will prepare progress reports for the LTB at regularintervals. The key elements, against which progress will be monitored, include thefollowing:Options – outlineProgress against planInvolvement of stakeholdersIssues and risksReview of project objectivesDeliverables achievedCost control and budget reviewQuality managementSummarise overall approach for project management at this stage of project.The project will be subject to governance and management procedures inaccordance with HCC’s standard processes and will be managed according to theprotocols developed.Overall Deliverability AssessmentThe overall deliverability of the scheme has been considered on the basis of thefollowing criteriaIGC003 | Issue | 4 March 2013J:\05200\5244-18\POSSJOBS\POSS JOBS 2013\HCC FRAMEWORK MAJOR SCHEME BUSINESS CASE\REPORTS\FINAL ISSUE BY HCC\130304 WATFORD JUNCTIONINTERCHANGE REDEVELOPMENT (WATFORD) ISSUE.DOCXPage C7

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport Scheme PrioritisationScheme Overview - Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)ScoreDescription1 High risk to deliverability 2015-192 Some risk to deliverability 2015-193 Should be deliverable 2015-194 Reasonable level of confidence over deliverability 2015-195 High level of confidence over deliverability 2015-19Until the completion of the proposed master plan, the Watford JunctionInterchange Redevelopment Scheme is considered to score 1 in terms of overalldeliverability because of uncertainty in respect of land and developerinvolvement. With consultation and an agreed way forward in place Hertfordshirewould then be in a position to seek Major Scheme funding from the LTB for theinfrastructure. Traffic modelling and the development of the economic case couldthen proceed.6 Commercial CaseProcurement strategy – outlineDetail procurement/purchasing options.The project will be procured in accordance with HCC’s standard processes andwill be managed according to the protocols developed.7 GAP Analysis7.1 Strategic CaseThere are a number of elements of the strategic case that need further work.A clear understanding of the whole scheme and of the stakeholder involvementneeds to be set out. A description needs to be provided clearly setting out theproblem identified and the evidence base underpinning it. This should lead to anexplanation of the justification for intervention.The impact of not changing and an explanation of the external drivers for changeshould be provided along with a statement of what constitutes successful deliveryof the objectives.A project scope should set out what the project will deliver and also what is out ofremit. Internal and external factors upon which the successful delivery of projectis dependent should be identified.IGC003 | Issue | 4 March 2013J:\05200\5244-18\POSSJOBS\POSS JOBS 2013\HCC FRAMEWORK MAJOR SCHEME BUSINESS CASE\REPORTS\FINAL ISSUE BY HCC\130304 WATFORD JUNCTIONINTERCHANGE REDEVELOPMENT (WATFORD) ISSUE.DOCXPage C8

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport Scheme PrioritisationScheme Overview - Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)All alternative options need to be identified (including do nothing) and evaluatedin terms of their impact on the proposal’s objectives and wider public policyobjectives. Risks associated with each option should be identified as should anyrisks common to all options.7.2 Economic CaseThe Watford Junction Major Scheme expression of interest says that the 2004scheme had a BCR over 10, with a scheme cost of £14 million at 2003/4 prices,but that the scheme and costs have evolved since then. The scheme sought £24million from the Major Project Scheme in January 2010. A detailed cost estimateof the emerging scheme will need to be developed.A full economic analysis will be required of the emerging scheme and this willrequire robust traffic modelling based on the SW Herts SATURN model butprobably in the form of a variable demand model. Getting agreement from the HAwill be an important aspect of this work.7.3 Financial CaseAn understanding of the stakeholder involvement and their input/ support needs tobe developed.7.4 Management CaseThe management case will utilise many of the procedures and processes that arealready well established within HCC for managing major projects.There is a need to outline the approach taken to assess if the proposal isdeliverable.A Project Plan will be needed to illustrate overall deliverability and set outdependencies, milestones, critical path and deliverables (including decisions thatare provided or received from other projects).7.5 Commercial CaseInformation will need to be provided to set out the approach taken to assesscommercial viability.An Output based specification will need to summarise the requirement in terms ofoutcomes and outputs, supplemented by full specification.7.6 Costs and Timescale for Gap AnalysisUntil the master plan exercise is complete, it is difficult to assess what will berequired to bring this scheme forward with a full Business Case. We consider thatto complete the work identified in the Gap Analysis will cost an estimated£100,000 and take at least 9 months to complete, but this is dependent on the clearidentification of the scheme and the support and agreement of the stakeholdersincluding land owners and developers. The traffic modelling aspect of this maycost in the region of £40,000. Given the land owner/ developer stakeholders itmay be that some significant aspect of this work would be funded by them.IGC003 | Issue | 4 March 2013J:\05200\5244-18\POSSJOBS\POSS JOBS 2013\HCC FRAMEWORK MAJOR SCHEME BUSINESS CASE\REPORTS\FINAL ISSUE BY HCC\130304 WATFORD JUNCTIONINTERCHANGE REDEVELOPMENT (WATFORD) ISSUE.DOCXPage C9

Drawings

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport Scheme PrioritisationScheme Overview - Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)Drawing 1 Location PlanIGC003 | Issue | 4 March 2013J:\05200\5244-18\POSSJOBS\POSS JOBS 2013\HCC FRAMEWORK MAJOR SCHEME BUSINESS CASE\REPORTS\FINAL ISSUE BY HCC\130304 WATFORD JUNCTIONINTERCHANGE REDEVELOPMENT (WATFORD) ISSUE.DOCX

Hertfordshire County CouncilLTB Major Transport Scheme PrioritisationScheme Overview - Watford Junction Interchange Redevelopment (Watford)Drawing 2 – Scheme PlanSchematic based on previous masterplanIGC003 | Issue | 4 March 2013J:\05200\5244-18\POSSJOBS\POSS JOBS 2013\HCC FRAMEWORK MAJOR SCHEME BUSINESS CASE\REPORTS\FINAL ISSUE BY HCC\130304 WATFORD JUNCTIONINTERCHANGE REDEVELOPMENT (WATFORD) ISSUE.DOCX