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Subject: River Street / Faulkner Street Highway Scheme

Status: For Publication

Report to: Cabinet

Date: 19th March 2012

Report of: Gary Davies Rochdale Development Agency

Email: g.davies@investinrochdale.co.uk

Tel: 01706 837444

Cabinet Member: Councillor Peter Williams Portfolio Holder for Corporate Management and Economic Development.

Comments from Statutory Officers

Section 151 Officer Monitoring Officer

Key Decision: No

1. PURPOSE OF REPORT

This report updates Members on progress made to provide a new vehicle turnaround, servicing and taxi rank facility on River Street and Faulkner Street (adjoining the new Transport Interchange), which forms a key component of the

future Highways Movement Framework for Rochdale town centre. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 Members note the progress made to bring forward a new vehicle turnaround, servicing and taxi rank facility on River Street and Faulkner Street, incorporating

the widening of River Street to provide for two-way traffic and the creation of a cul-de-sac arrangement. This facility is essentially needed to help deliver the future Highways Movement Framework for the town centre and to provide

loading and servicing facilities for the businesses on Drake Street.

2.2 Members note the progress made to agree amendments to the design of the new Transport Interchange and the associated costs in order to deliver the proposed new facility with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)

2.3 Members note the on-going negotiations with TfGM to ensure the facility is

constructed as part of the main contact for the new Transport Interchange.

2.4 Members approval is requested to fund the additional cost of widening River

Street and constructing the new turnaround and servicing facility, with the

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approval of final costs to be delegated to the Chief Executive of the Council in

consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Cabinet once known. 2.5 Members approve the release of a section of Council owned land fronting River

Street (former site of 12 River Street) to allow the widening of the highway to be provided.

2.6 Members authorise the submission of a revised planning application for the amended Transport Interchange scheme.

3. MAIN TEXT INCLUDING ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED/ CONSULTATION CARRIED OUT:

Reasons for recommendation:

3.1 To keep Members informed as to progress made to bring forward a new facility on River Street and Faulkner Street. The scheme is needed to ensure future traffic movements around the town centre (as set out in the Highways Movement

Framework) can be effectively implemented and to provide servicing facilities for the businesses on Drake Street.

4. Alternatives considered: 4.1 Keeping River Street and Faulkner Street available as a through route by not

providing the turnaround facility would undermine the principles which underpin the Highways Movement Framework. To not implement this comprehensive and co-ordinated movement framework would prejudice the efficient and effective

operation of the wider town centre. 4.2 In developing the town centre Movement Framework a number of options for the

treatment of River Street / Faulkner Street were considered. These included keeping River Street and Faulkner Street available as a through route north-bound and south-bound.

• River Street and Faulkner Street one-way south bound (exit onto Water

Street) – this would encourage more traffic onto Smith Street and to abuse

the route through its junction with Drake Street and South Parade, with impacts on the wider town centre.

• River Street and Faulkner Street one-way north bound (exit onto Smith Street) - this would encourage more traffic onto the western section of Smith Street and then onto South Parade, increasing town centre traffic and rat

running through the town centre, which would prejudice the ambition to create a pedestrian friendly town centre.

4.3 Creating a cul-de-sac turnaround area as proposed, with servicing facilities, is considered the optimum solution.

5. Consultation undertaken/proposed: 5.1 The proposal to provide a new vehicle turnaround, servicing and taxi rank facility

on River Street and Faulkner Street forms a key part of the future Highways Movement Framework for the town centre.

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5.2 The Rochdale Township Committee on 11th January 2012 endorsed the principles

which underpin this Movement Framework, as a basis to develop the plan further and to guide emerging development projects in the town centre. The report to the Township Committee specifically referred to the River Street / Faulkner

Street highway scheme. 5.3 Initial ideas on how traffic and pedestrians will move around the town centre, set

out in the Highways Movement Framework, were presented to the Rochdale Town Centre Committee in August 2011.

5.4 In order to accommodate the proposed turnaround and servicing facility, detailed discussions have been held with Transport for Greater Manchester (Interchange)

to consider options for amending the approved Transport Interchange scheme. 5.5 This report also follows several reports to Cabinet detailing the progress and

development of the new Interchange proposals from Transport for Greater Manchester (then operating as GMPTE), the most recent being in February 2012.

6. Main text of report: 6.1 Major development projects will take place across the town centre in coming

years. These projects such as the Metrolink, new Municipal Offices, Transport Interchange and Town Centre East will have a significant impact on traffic and pedestrian movements within the town centre. In order to co-ordinate this

activity and create a more pedestrian friendly environment by eliminating through traffic, a Highways Movement Framework for the town centre has been developed. The principles which underpin this framework were endorsed by the

Rochdale Township Committee in January 2012. 6.2 Creating a cul-de-sac turnaround area, with servicing and taxi / drop off facilities

on River Street / Faulkner Street is an integral part of this overall framework. In particular the scheme will provide essential loading and servicing facilities for the businesses on Drake Street and will provide a taxi rank immediately adjoining

the Interchange. This turnaround facility also involves the widening of River Street to allow two-way running. This facility will allow vehicles to gain access down River Street from Water Street, turn around and then exit back onto Water

Street. 6.3 The original Transport Interchange scheme was designed on the basis that River

Street / Faulkner Street would be retained as a through route, allowing general traffic to gain access from Water Street on to Smith Street and South Parade. In order to implement the proposed cul-de-sac turnaround area and servicing/taxi

facility, it is necessary to amend a section of the current Transport Interchange scheme.

6.4 Rochdale Development Agency and the Council have been working with TfGM to agree an amended scheme which has a minimal impact on the layout of the Interchange design. An amended scheme has been prepared by the Highways

Service of Impact Partnership. The amendment affects the western part of the Transport Interchange site, adjoining River Street and results in minor changes to the alignment of the retaining wall and the access ramp to the main

Interchange site. The amendment does not impact on the Interchange concourse or on bus movements. The revised scheme also requires the front

section of the 12 River Street (a Council owned site) to be incorporated into the new road layout (see section 6.10 below).

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6.5 Agreement has been reached with TfGM on how the amended scheme will be included in the Interchange construction contract. The cul-de-sac turnaround area and servicing / taxi facility will be delivered as part of the Interchange

contract. 6.6 Because the new scheme requires River Street to be widened to create two-way

running, more construction work needs to be undertaken, increasing build costs. It is necessary therefore to fund the difference in costs between the original Interchange scheme and the amended scheme now proposed.

6.7 The estimated cost for the amended scheme has been prepared by the Highways

Service and this has been shared with TfGM. Discussions with TfGM are currently on-going to determine the difference in costs between the original and the proposed scheme. The initial estimate is that the amended scheme will cost

an additional £150,000. 6.8 Construction work on the main Transport Interchange is due to commence in

April 2012. In order to ensure the proposed facility can be delivered as part of the Interchange contract, it is hoped that the final costs can be determined over the coming weeks.

6.9 Subject to agreeing the final costs and approval to funding, TfGM will be formally

instructed to incorporate the amendments into the Transport Interchange

scheme. 6.10 The implementation of this amended scheme requires the front section of the 12

River Street site to be incorporated into the new road layout. This site is owned by the Council and is vacant following the demolition of the building in 2011 (the former Petrus Building). Members are requested to agree to the frontage of the

site being released to allow the new turnaround and servicing facility to be provided. This request only relates to a narrow strip across the frontage, and will not prejudice the development of the remaining larger site.

6.11 Members should note that the original Transport Interchange scheme for River

Street / Faulkner included a taxi rank facility and a site for the re-located

Shopmobility unit. The proposed amended scheme still provides a taxi rank facility. However the site identified to re-locate Shopmobility is no longer available. An alternative site has been identified and it is now proposed to re-

locate the Shopmobility unit on the site of 12 River Street and discussions with Shopmobility and the Council are on-going.

7. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 7.1 Initial estimates indicate that the additional cost of amended scheme to be

around £150,000. Discussions are on-going with TfGM and it is hoped that the final costs can be determined over the coming weeks.

7.2 The additional costs of the scheme will be met from the Local Transport Plan 2011/12 Capital Programme (an allocation of £100,000 has been identified) and £50,000 from the approved town centre public realm budget.

7.3 It has been acknowledged that the final cost may change. The re-allocation of

funding within the public realm budget has been approved to cover any additional costs.

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8. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS 8.1 A Development Agreement relating to the construction of a new Transport

Interchange will be completed in April 2012. It will be necessary to amend the Development Agreement to accommodate the proposed cul-de-sac turnaround area and servicing / taxi facility.

8.2 It will be necessary to submit a new planning application for proposed cul-de-sac

turnaround area and servicing / taxi facility

9. PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS

9.1 It is expected that the amended Transport Interchange scheme and the

construction of the turnaround facility can be met from existing staffing

resources. 10. RISK ASSESSMENT IMPLICATIONS

10.1 All the issues raised and the recommendations in this report involve risk

considerations as set out below:

• Unable to reach agreement with TfGM - Discussions have commenced with

TfGM and an amended scheme has been agreed in principle.

• Costs may increase - The current costs set out in this report are estimates. Discussions to determine the detailed costs of the amended scheme are on-going. In order to mitigate this risk any increase in costs above the estimate

will be covered from the approved public realm budget • Delays to the Interchange contract - Construction work on the main

Transport Interchange is due to commence in April 2012. Discussions have

commended with TfGM to agree how the proposed facility can be delivered as part of the Interchange contract.

• Failure to implement the scheme - The scheme is an integral part of the

movement framework for the town centre. If the scheme cannot be implemented the movement framework will need to be reviewed.

10.2 RDA, Planning and Highways will be working closely with stakeholders to achieve the objectives set out in this report and to minimise the risks set out above.

11 EQUALITIES IMPACTS

11.1 Workforce Equality Impacts Assessment

There are no significant workforce equality issues arising form this report. 11.2 Equality/Community Impact Assessments

There are no significant equality/community issues arising form this report.

12. CONCLUSIONS

12.1 In order to co-ordinate developments taking place in the town centre (Metrolink,

new Municipal Offices, Transport Interchange and Town Centre East) and to

create a more pedestrian friendly environment, a Highways Movement Framework for the town centre has been developed.

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12.2 Creating a cul-de-sac turnaround area, with servicing and taxi / drop off facilities

on River Street / Faulkner Street is a key component of this overall framework, helping to reduce through traffic and providing essential loading and servicing facilities for the businesses on Drake Street.

12.3 The original Transport Interchange scheme will need to be amended to

accommodate the cul-de-sac turnaround area and a revised scheme has been

prepared and agreed in principle with TfGM. Agreement has also been reached agreement with TfGM on how the amended scheme will be included in the Interchange construction contract.

12.4 Discussions with TfGM are currently on-going to determine the difference in

costs between the original and the proposed Interchange scheme. The initial estimate is that the amended scheme will cost an additional £150,000. The final costs of the scheme will be agreed in coming weeks.

Background Papers

Document Place of Inspection

Detailed background papers available.

RDA Offices, Lock 50, Oldham Road.

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Appendix 1 – Plan showing the River Street / Faulkner Street highway scheme

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Appendix 2 – Location of the River Street / Faulkner Street highway scheme