Proposed taxi shelter at the Weighbridge

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A decision made (01.08.06) to agree to a proposal to provide a taxi shelter at the Weighbridge.

Subject:	Urban Task Force: Taxi Shelter, Weighbridge, St Helier
Decision Reference:	MD-PE-2006-0083	Exempt clause(s):		none
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):		Kevin Pilley: Assistant Director (Policy and Projects)
Telephone or e-mail meeting	n/a	Report File ref:		1/11/20
Written Report Title:	Urban Task Force: Taxi Shelter, Weighbridge, St Helier	Written report – Author:		Kevin Pilley: Assistant Director (Policy and Projects)
Decision(s): The Minister, jointly with the Minister for Transport and Technical Services, and in consultation with the Connetable of St Helier, determined that: 1. the concept scheme, as illustrated on drawing numbers WTA/101, 104/106 is approved as a basis for the preparation of detailed designs; 2. design advice should be sought from Hopkins Architects to enable the submission of a planning application; 3. a further report be brought, once design advice and, on the basis of design, revised costings, have been prepared.
Reason(s) for decision: 1. The scheme accords with the objectives of the Urban Task Force and the scheme is approved as a basis for the preparation of more detailed design and costings. 2. Design advice from Hopkins Architects should be sought to ensure consistency of approach with the proposals for the Weighbridge and the Waterfront generally.
Action required: 1. Refer design concept to Hopkins Architects for detailed design advice;
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision:

Proposed taxi shelter at the Weighbridge

		Item No:
		Date:

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Urban Task Force

TAXI SHELTER, WEIGHBRIDGE, ST HELIER

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is for the Ministers for Planning and Environment and Transport and Technical Services to consider, in consultation with the Connetable of St Helier and Chairman of the Urban Task Force, Simon Crowcroft, a proposal to provide a taxi shelter at the Weighbridge Taxi Rank.

Having regard to the proposal, the purpose of the report is for the Ministers to;

 determine whether to progress the scheme, and if minded to progress;

 determine the form of the scheme;

 authorise the establishment of a preliminary budget for the scheme and the expenditure of monies to enable progress.

Background

The Urban Task Force has tasked the St Helier Project Group to deliver a series of urban improvements during 2006.

The desirability of enhancing aspects of the Island’s taxi service, including the provision of appropriate infrastructure for customers, has been identified both by the Council of Ministers and through discussions with representatives of the taxi industry. Specifically, the proposal to provide a shelter to service the Weighbridge Taxi Rank emerged from discussion with the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association in relation to the relocation of the Broad Street Taxi Rank.

The Weighbridge Taxi Rank is one of the main taxi ranks serving the town. It is of particular significance in the evening when it services many of the clubs and bars in and around the Weighbridge, Esplanade and southern end of the town centre.

Discussion

In considering the design and location of a shelter for the Weighbridge Taxi Rank, a number of factors have had to be taken into consideration, including the following;

 future use and design of Weighbridge;

 requirements of taxi users;

 requirements of bus users;

 public order and policing;

 urban context;

 quality and robustness of design and materials

Discussions have been held with key stakeholders including representatives of Jersey Taxi Drivers Association; Waterfront Enterprise Board; Parish of St Helier; Connex; States of Jersey Police and officers of Transport and Technical Services in order to determine the most appropriate form and location of shelter.

As a result of these discussions a conceptual form and location of the shelter has been determined, as illustrated at appendices 1-4. This is considered to best meet the various requirements of all key stakeholders.

It essentially comprises a shelter that is fully enclosed on one side, partially enclosed on the other, with a fully covered internal area and seating for taxi users and with external seating for bus users, the external area being covered with a cantilevered roof. The dimensions of the shelter are 4m by 15m, and it would have the capacity to accommodate approximately 50-80 people.

It is proposed that the structure be manufactured from stainless steel and glass. The size and nature of the shelter would require a bespoke design: this is being worked up and will be presented at the meeting.

Responsibilities for the maintenance of the structure remain to be raised and resolved.

Consultation

As stated above, consultation has already been undertaken with key ‘operational’ stakeholders. There is, however, a requirement to enable other interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposal. This could be undertaken through the planning application process.

Timescale

Subject to securing an endorsement to proceed, the following preliminary timescale and budgetary provision is proposed.

Milestone	Timescale
Preparation, submission and determination of planning application, including consultation	July – August (8 wks)
Order and manufacture of structure	September - November (12 wks)
Groundworks, shipping and installation	December ’06 – January ‘07

Budget

A preliminary cost estimate to enable the establishment of a budget for this scheme is set out below.

Item	Cost
Planning and building fee	1,000
Design and management fees	5,250
Shelter cost and shipping	30,000
Groundworks and installation	10,500
Paving	3,600
Contingency	6,600
Total	56,950

There are sufficient resources within the Minister for Planning and Environment’s Urban Renewal Vote to fund this work.

Recommendation

On the basis of the above, it is recommended that;

1. the scheme, as illustrated on drawing numbers WTA/101, 104/106 is approved as a basis for the submission of a planning application;

2. endorsement is given to the establishment of a preliminary budget of £56,950 from the Urban Renewal vote to progress this work, and;

3. the indicative timescale is noted and endorsed.

Reason(s) for Decision

The scheme accords with the objectives of the Urban Task Force and the scheme is approved as a basis for the submission of a planning application and, subject to approval, implementation

Action Required

1. Progress with planning application

2. Subject to favourable determination of planning application, proceed to implementation;

Written by:	Kevin Pilley Assistant Director: Planning and Building Services

Approved by:	Peter Thorne Director: Planning and Building Services

Endorsed by:	Chris Sampson Director of Municipal Services

Attachments:

Appendix 1: existing layout of Weighbridge area;

Appendix 2: general layout options;

Appendix 3: preliminary layout: long-term plan;

Appendix 4: preliminary layout: cross-section

1/11/20

28 June 2006