Local Authority Borough: Caerphilly County Borough Council. Contact: Huw Morgan

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1 Case Study Theme: Our Environment Local Authority Borough: Caerphilly County Borough Council Good Practice: Blackwood Transport Interchange Contact: Huw Morgan morganash@caerphilly.gov.uk The scheme was initiated in 2001 by TIGER (Transport Integration in the Gwent Economic Region), a consortium of Local Authorities and other stakeholders with the remit of promoting and implementing improvements to the public transport and sustainability agenda. The responsibilities of TIGER were transferred to Sewta (The South East Wales Transport Alliance), which is a consortium established on 1 April 2003 by the 10 local authorities in South East Wales to carry out their functions in respect of public transport and some other transport matters. Sewta works in close liaison with partners representing public transport operators and users. Following a study in 2001/02, Blackwood Interchange was one of the six Interchanges where it was considered that improved interchange arrangements could make a significant contribution to the strategy objective of greater public transport use. Aims and Objectives Provide passenger interchange facilities commensurate with modern expectations, Encourage the modal transfer of trips from car to public transport, Improve passenger safety and security, Take account of the needs of users at the interchange, including those with mobility impairments, Improve integration between modes, and in particular non-car modes, Improve the image of public transport.

2 Photograph showing the dilapidated nature of the old Bus Station The development of the proposals was made in consultation with all stakeholders. At the commencement of the study an inception meeting was held with representatives from the local authority, bus operators, passenger user groups, Gwent Constabulary and Caerphilly s Passenger Transport section to ascertain the main issues that needed to be considered. Outline designs were then discussed with operators and the local authority, as well as being distributed to all members of the TIGER Working Party for comment. The preferred design was developed giving full consideration of these views. The regeneration of Blackwood is key to Caerphilly s strategic requirements to promote as a sub-regional shopping hub. Other areas of the town were also designated for regeneration. It was felt that the success of the regeneration would be greatly assisted by implementing a common materials palette throughout the town centre. A design team was therefore set-up to ensure synergy throughout the proposed town centre regeneration plan. The team consisted of all stakeholders including CCBC Engineers, CCBC Urban Renewal, Welsh Assembly Government (sponsors), Consulting Landscape Architects, CCBC Community Safety. Sustainability Sustainability has been a key feature in the design and construction of Blackwood Interchange and the development has aimed to minimise waste and the impact of the development upon the environment. For example, the demolition materials resulting from the existing buildings and concrete bus aprons were recycled and used as capping for the new road. In addition, virtually all the materials used in the construction of the interchange will be fully recyclable at the end of the structure's life cycle.

3 Design The architectural design of the building is the result of extensive research of UK best practice into the design of completed transport sector projects. The building was designed to have simple clean lines with striking contrast between the precision engineered and finished elements (curtain walling, aluminium cladding, glass, seating and other fixtures and fittings) and the Welsh Blue Pennant natural stone used to clad the retaining walls. The design has utilised complimentary materials to those used to deliver the public realm and artwork strategy in the town and incorporates features to deter anti-social behaviour. The distinctive building creates cover and enclosure with glazed walls and automatic doors providing the best possible visibility and accessibility for passengers and drivers. The project was presented to the Design Commission for Wales, where it received positive response. Key Challenges There were significant challenges that were overcome during the lifecycle of the project due to the very constrained nature the site. The site is situated within the centre of Blackwood and traders depend heavily on the services of the bus operators for both regional and local trade. Everyone agreed that the site needed regeneration and the project had high political and public support. However this seemed to be outweighed by the concern held by traders regarding the effect that the demolition and construction phases might have on the local trade. The site is situated adjacent to the Market Place, which is home to an openair market on three days of the week. Traders within the Market Place were very concerned over the potential loss of trade during the demolition phase of the works due to the impact of noise, vibration and, more importantly, the generation of dust. The Council does not own the Market Place and therefore the co-operation of the Traders was essential in order to commence the demolition works. During the works there was an obvious need to relocate the bus services for the duration of the contract. This would affect footfall figures for certain areas of the town and would also potentially affect the ability for local parking within the town centre. There would also be a commercial affect on the bus operators due to the required amendments to their arrangements. The key challenges were: Obtaining the co-operation of the Market Traders Implementing alternative arrangements for the bus services during works

4 Obtaining the co-operation of the Market Traders The first phase of the project was the demolition of the existing bus station buildings. The pine-end of the building represented the land-ownership boundary of the Council. Access onto the Market Place was therefore required in order to carry out the demolition works and the Council did not have any rights in respect of the same. It was essential therefore to gain the cooperation of the Market Traders. The Market Place is situated between the bus station and the town centre and visitors have to pass through the Market Place to get to the town centre. Market Traders were therefore dependant upon the bus station for the generation of footfall and were very concerned about the impact that the demolition and construction phases would have on their trade. The Market Traders were contacted at the earliest opportunity and a meeting was held to discuss the project and the method of working. It became apparent from the outset that consent to access the Market Place would not be forthcoming without surety that the project would not be of detriment to their trade. All the verbal and written assurances from the council would not persuade or convince the Traders that there would be little impact on their trade during the works. Actions speak louder than words and a series of measures to mitigate against the concerns were proposed through crossdepartmental liaison and discussion within the Council. Whilst the Council was not in a position to compensate each trader financially, it was in a position to undertake the works in a manner following meaningful and proactive consultation with the affected parties. Open-air markets were held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays on the Market Place. The main concern of the Traders was the physical impact the demolition works would have on trade, and in particular the generation of noise, vibration and dust. The contractor s method of working was therefore restricted in order as to limit the effect the works would have on the adjacent site. Demolition was undertaken during non-market days Earth-moving and crushing activities were undertaken on non-market days Solid hoarding was erected as a high physical barrier between the sites The demolition of the old bus station was carried out without incident and the Market continued to operate throughout. The Market Traders were also concerned about operating next to a building site and the negative impact that this might have on visitors to their market. The concern was partly down to the fact that shoppers might not realise the Market was still in operation during the works.

5 The Project Manager fully accepted this concern and sought advice from the Council s Public Relations section. It was agreed that the Council would implement a Marketing Programme that would promote all areas of trade within the town centre during the lifecycle of the demolition and construction phases. A publication titled Blackwood Defining the Future was produced at regular intervals throughout the project, which gave progress and projected programmes. The project was discussed at regular meetings that were represented by all stakeholders as follows: - Elected Members Blackwood Chamber of Trade Blackwood Traders Association Police CCBC Community Safety Appointed Residents CCBC Officers Engineers, Economic Development, Urban Renewal and Committee Services The demolition and construction phases proceeded with limited effect on trade within the town centre and co-operation from the Traders was achieved due to the following:- Effective Consultation from day one, Listening and understanding to the needs and concerns of stakeholders, Implementing measures of mitigation by cross-departmental liaison and consultation, Continued monitoring of the effects of the works throughout the contract and being willing to react to the needs of stakeholders in a reasonable manner, Engaging with the local community. Implementing alternative arrangements for the bus services during works The buses could not utilise the bus station during the works for obvious reasons but they still had to operate in order to satisfy the commercial needs of the traders and the bus operators. The town centre is constrained in terms of size and there were limited options for sites that could accommodate the number of trips generated by the bus services. The old bus station accommodated 38 trips per hour and this provision needed to be accommodated somewhere in the town centre. Alternative temporary station sites were considered but none found favour with the bus operators due to the distance from the bus routes and due to the impact that this would have on their timetables. Blackwood High Street was an integral part of the existing bus route network and this therefore seemed the obvious place for buses to use during the works. However, parking was at a premium on the High Street and to affect such provision would be very contentious. Discussions with Local Members then ensued and it was agreed that investigations in to this provision would be undertaken.

6 Surveys were undertaken throughout the town centre and each trader was requested to confirm their loading and delivery requirements. This information, together with data collected in respect of limited waiting requirements for shoppers, was analysed and a proposal to provide temporary bus stops along the High Street was consulted on. The proposals did not find immediate favour with all the traders, not by a long way, but the proposals were amended following the consultation process and the scheme was implemented. Whilst the temporary bus service provision was not ideal and did not fulfil every need of every stakeholder, it was implemented following careful consideration of every stakeholder group involved. Amendments to the same were undertaken during the works due to changing and evolving situations. Making a Difference Now that the scheme has been completed, the visual improvements of the new facility are clear. Front Elevation of the Completed Building Before Uncovered waiting After High Specification covered waiting

7 Following the completion of the project, a scheme of monitoring was commissioned in order to gauge the success of the scheme and in order to establish where, if any, improvements could be made on subsequent projects of a similar nature. User Satisfaction Base Results Blackwood Bus Interchange - User Satisfaction with Selected Attributes (Excluding respondents recorded as 'no experience') Access on and off boarding platform Safety and Security at the Station Attribute Timetable Information Toilet Facilities Refreshment facilities Waiting areas Bus connections to the train station Integration w ith other transport modes Pedestrian Access to/from the Station 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Percentage Very Good Good Neither Good nor bad Bad Very Bad

8 Post Scheme Survey Blackwood Interchange Satisfaction Attributes (excluding respondents recorded as 'no experience') Access on and off the bus Safety and Security Timetable Information Attribute Toilet Facilities Refreshment Facilities Waiting Areas Very Good Good Neither Good Nor Bad Bad Very Bad Bus connections Integration Access to and from Station 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Percentage The success of the project is down to effective management by the Project Team who did not lose sight of the business needs and strategic objectives of the project. The Project Team consisted of internal partners including all CCBC, WAG, Local Members and the Consultant. Recent Success The building has won the prestigious CLAW (Consortium Local Authorities Wales) Building of the Year Award Future Developments Now that the Blackwood Interchange has been completed, it is essential that the development be utilised to its full potential. It acts as the first visual that visitors encounter on their arrival to Blackwood, a visual that gives the right impression for trip attraction. The development will be maintained and managed by the Council s Passenger Transport Section. A regime of maintenance and security is currently being considered in order to ensure that the development is protected.

9 Lessons Learned The procurement of the project was not without its problems and lessons have been learned throughout the project lifecycle. Ensure that land acquisition / access rights are considered at the very earliest opportunity The Council had to depend on negotiations for access with the Market Traders. A critical factor of success is the need to consult with stakeholders and affected parties from a very early stage. A critical factor of success is gaining the trust of affected parties. The Council did what it said it would do, which resulted in public pressure in respect of the local concerns diminishing as the project went on.