Scheme Overview Summary Proof of Evidence Peter Adams
SUMMARY PROOF OF EVIDENCE Peter Adams Scheme Overview TRANSPORT AND WORKS ACT 1992 MIDLAND METRO (WOLVERHAMPTON CITY CENTRE EXTENSION) ORDER INQUIRY JUNE 2015
1. Introduction 1.1 My name is Peter David Adams. I am Head of Metro Development for Centro. 1.2 I am a Chartered Engineer, being a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation. I obtained a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering (1st Class) from the University of Birmingham and since graduating in 1980 have worked for Leicestershire County Council, Ove Arup and Partners and the Highways Agency before joining Centro in 2002. 1.3 I have managed the development and implementation of Midland Metro extensions since 2004. I currently lead Centro s Metro Development Team which is engaged in the development of a number of major Midland Metro projects in Birmingham and the Black Country, including the Wolverhampton City Centre Extension (WCCE), and have overseen the processes leading up to this Public Inquiry. 1.4 The evidence I shall give is true, given in good faith and represents my professional opinion regarding the merits of the Order proposal and I have carried out my assessment in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct of the Institution of Civil Engineers. 2. Strategic Context 2.1 The Wolverhampton Interchange Project (WIP) and Wolverhampton City Centre Extension (WCCE) within it are entirely in line with National, Regional and Local Policies 3. The Existing Tram System and Wolverhampton s Public Transport Provision 3.1 The Midland Metro Line 1 ( Line 1 ) tramway opened in 1999 and operates mainly on former rail formation between Wolverhampton City Centre and Snow Hill Station in Birmingham City Centre. It also serves the town centres of West Bromwich, Wednesbury and Bilston. It is 20.4 kilometres long, has 23 stops and offers 538 spaces for Park & Ride distributed between four locations along the route. 3.2 Annual patronage levels on Line 1 are over 5 million and a series of improvements, enhancements and extensions are in train to widen the network in Birmingham city centre, provide new larger trams and increase patronage, taking more cars off the West Midland s congested road network. 3.3 Wolverhampton has a good public transport provision. The Midland Metro provides regular services towards Birmingham from its terminus at St Georges, there is a modern, recently constructed bus station with routes serving the local area and the railway station provides access to the national rail network. However, due to their separate locations, they do not support seamless interchange and therefore deter public transport use by reducing journey opportunities. There is a need to improve the connectivity between these separate elements of the public transport network in Wolverhampton. The WCCE provides that interchange, but achieves much more, transforming the rail station to provide a first class modern station and stimulating commercial development in the surrounding area. 3.4 The scheme will meet the objectives of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (BCLEP) to enhance public transport connectivity between the four strategic centres of Brierley Hill, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton. Page 2 of 6
4. Evolution of the Scheme 4.1 The scheme has been developed over the period since 2003 as part of the wider Local Transport Plan and the evolution of the commercial gateway masterplan for Wolverhampton. 4.2 In winter 2011/ 2012 following further consultation with key stakeholders and the evolution of the commercial gateway masterplan for Wolverhampton, and the opening of the new bus station, a more direct twin-track alignment from the current Line 1 via Piper s Row to a terminus stop outside the rail station was proposed. It would be fully integrated within the WIP proposals for the redevelopment of the rail station and the adjacent major commercial development focusing on enhancing interchange in Wolverhampton City Centre. 4.3 Centro proceeded to undertake further design including undertaking consultation with National Express regarding the operation of the bus station, in particular facilitating a right turn exit onto Piper s Row. 4.4 As part of the consultation ahead of the submission of the application of the Order, English Heritage and other heritage groups objected to the demolition of the Grade II listed Old Steam Mill. In response to this, a track alignment optioneering exercise was undertaken in the vicinity of the Old Steam Mill and a revised alignment of the WCCE was proposed, which was endorsed by English Heritage [WCCE/A16]. Following a further pre TWA application consultation exercise, the alignment was finalised and in the form as set out within the proposed Order. 5. The Wolverhampton Interchange Proposals 5.1 The WCCE forms part of the wider Wolverhampton Interchange Project. The WIP is intended to meet the aims of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (BCLEP) relating to transport and regeneration in Wolverhampton to achieve a multi modal transport hub, deliver new commercial floor space for high value jobs, and improve the strategic gateway to Wolverhampton and the Black Country. 5.2 The Wolverhampton Interchange Project will redevelop the railway station building to provide 21st century facilities, delivering an improved passenger experience through the relocation of the main entrance and concourse area, new retail space and better security as a result of the introduction of ticket gates. 5.3 An expanded car park, incorporating improved public realm on the approach to the railway station, will also be provided. The existing Midland Metro tramway to central Wolverhampton will be extended to the railway station via a new stop at the bus station. This will improve interchange between the three modes of transport in the city: bus, rail and metro. 5.4 A carefully planned programme will see the car park extension, the new station and the tram extension built in sequence. 5.5 The proposed Midland Metro extension will branch from the current terminus and will pass along Piper's Row to its junction with Lichfield Street and then through the heart of the new commercial development to the station. Page 3 of 6
5.6 Once delivered, the Metro extension will integrate the transport links provided by tram, rail and bus services, creating improved interchange opportunities and increased direct services. 6. Need for the Scheme and its Benefits 6.1 The lack of connectivity between Midland Metro Line 1 to the bus and railway stations in Wolverhampton does not meet the objective of the BCLEP to enhance public transport connectivity between the four strategic centres of Brierley Hill, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton, so they operate as an integrated economic network with a catchment extending over the whole sub-region and beyond. 6.2 Whilst for most public transport users this deficiency can be overcome by walking between the current Metro terminus and the bus or railway stations, the interchange penalty incurred deters some users and adds to journey times for all passengers currently making that journey. In addition it provides a difficult barrier to travel for those with mobility difficulties. The WCCE meets this need by providing an excellent interchange between transport modes by joining them up. 6.3 The extent of the need for the scheme is demonstrated by the forecast increase in annual patronage on Midland Metro through its improvement of interchange between the three modes of transport in the city: bus, rail and metro, and as a result of the increased connectivity that is currently lacking, increase annual patronage on Midland Metro by a further 4.6% in 2016 and 5.4% in 2026 respectively are predicted. 6.4 The Economic Case sets out the Value for Money of the project in accordance with Government Guidance and shows that the scheme represents high value for money with a benefit to cost ratio of the scheme calculated as 2.9:1. The net present value over the appraisal period is 92.7 million. 6.5 Within this overall assessment of the WIP, the WCCE when considered in isolation has a benefit to cost ratio of 2.5:1 and a net present value over the appraisal period of 32.1 million. The Environmental Assessment of the WCCE shows that there are no significant environmental disbenefits. 7. Delivery 7.1 For funding purposes, the WCCE forms part of a wider programme of regeneration and investment in Wolverhampton city centre, known as the WIP. 7.2 The WIP is to be funded from a number of funding sources as part of the overall Wolverhampton Interchange project funding; all these sources of funding are in place as set out below:- The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (BCLEP) Local Transport Board Major Schemes funding - 9 million BCLEP Local Growth Funding via Strategic Economic Plan - 4.5 million West Midlands Integrated Transport Block Funding - 3 million Wolverhampton City Council capital funding - 1 million Centro Prudential Borrowing - 21.9 million Page 4 of 6
7.3 To underpin the prudential borrowing Network Rail will lease the extended station car park to Centro who will then use the net car park income to finance the loan repayments. The lease term will be flexible such that Centro will retain the car park until the loan is fully repaid; the income, expenditure and loan repayments to be on a fully open-book basis with the Department. Once the loan is repaid the car park lease will terminate and associated income will then revert to the rail industry as now. 7.4 The above arrangement has been approved in principle by the Secretary of State for Transport and Centro, WCC, Network Rail, West Coast Trains and Neptune are making good progress on putting in place the legal agreements, land exchanges, agreements with the current operators, and consents with Network Rail which need to be progressed in order to facilitate the project and these are on programme to be put in place to allow the borrowing to take place when the funding is required. 7.5 The WCCE will be delivered by an Alliance contract which Centro is in the process of procuring, in which a designer, contractor and Centro will work as an integrated team to develop and deliver the programme under a contractual framework where their commercial interest are aligned with actual project outcomes. 8. Support for the Scheme 8.1 The WCCE project is strongly supported by Wolverhampton City Council and the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership 9. Statement of Matters 9.1 The issues raised in the Secretary of State s Statement of Matters have been covered within Centro s witnesses Proofs of Evidence 10. Response to Objectors 10.1 At the time of writing this Proof of Evidence there are 5 objectors to the order remaining. A summary of Centro s response to their objections is set out in the paragraphs below. Objection of Mr Singh (Number OBJ/01) 10.2 Due to the narrowness of the footway on Pipers Row it is not possible to avoid closure of the alleyway during the construction of the tram tracks outside the property. Centro will minimise the time taken to construct the tramway in this location and has undertaken to compensate the objector for disturbance during the works in accordance with the Compensation Code. Objection of London Midland (Number OBJ/07) 10.3 The Objector s concerns are related to the demolition of the station, access and train crew accommodation, all of which can be satisfactorily addressed. Objection of CP Co 3 Limited (Number OBJ/09) 10.4 The scheme will not result in traffic congestion during operation. Centro will seek to ensure that disruption during construction is minimised in close liaison with NCP. The scheme will enhance the value of the land in the long term. Alternatives have been Page 5 of 6
thoroughly considered during the development of the scheme and the designs have been the subject of a rigorous safety audit process. Objection of NCP (Number OBJ/10) 10.5 Centro has agreed not to use the Fryer Street car park as a construction works site. At all stages of the process Centro has sought to negotiate with the objector but with no success to date. The Pipers Row car park layout proposed is in full accordance with the relevant standards and the car park will remain viable with the scheme in operation. Objection of Gladedale Estates Limited (Number OBJ/8) 10.6 The objector, which has agreed to sell its interest in the property and withdraw its objection to the draft Order. At the time of writing this Proof of Evidence contracts for sale have been finalised and are in the process of completion. 11. Conclusion 11.1 The need for the land and rights proposed to be acquired has been fully justified. 11.2 Funding is available and the project is ready to proceed and I urge the Inspector to recommend the powers applied for. Page 6 of 6