Decision details

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport outlining the conclusions of an investigation into the feasibility and potential benefits of automating the toll collection service on the Itchen Bridge and recommending automation of the toll collection service.

(i)  To implement an automated toll collection service for Itchen Bridge.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Environment, following consultation with the Solicitor to the Council and Executive Director of Resources, to take any necessary action to give effect to recommendation (i) above, including but not limited to undertaking any and all necessary procurement activities in compliance with Contract Procedure Rules (including award of contract and all associated or ancillary matters), making necessary changes to the relevant Toll Orders made under the Hampshire Act 1983 (including determination of objections following advertisement of proposed changes) and consulting upon and implementing all necessary service, staffing and organisational structure changes necessary to implement the project.

(iii)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, capital expenditure, as set out in confidential Appendix 2, subject to Council approving the addition of the Itchen Bridge Toll Automation scheme to the Environment and Transport Capital Programme in February 2011. This scheme will be funded by a combination of borrowing and contributions from the Itchen Bridge Major Maintenance Fund, as set out in the confidential appendix.

(iv)  To consult with staff and unions on the automation, which will lead to a need for restructuring of the service and potential staffing reductions. Redeployment of affected employees will be a priority

1.  A review of the current Itchen Bridge Toll Collection service and the alternative toll collection options clearly demonstrated that a significant reduction in operating costs can be achieved through the implementation of an automated toll collection service. Additionally, bridge users will benefit from more modern payment options.

2.  A number of automation options were considered on the basis of the savings delivered, the practicality for bridge users, and the impact on traffic flows. The recommended automation solution was determined as the most suitable. 

3.  The above recommendations are required to enable officers to commit resources and deliver the project within the timescales identified below.

1.  An initial Feasibility Study and Outline Business Case considered and discounted the following options for the bridge: do nothing; remove the toll; allow free passage when volumes are low.

2.  Further work was undertaken to determine the most suitable automation option. Options considered were:

·  Unattended roadside collection (i.e cash bins and card machines)

·  Unattended roadside collection and Data Tag (i.e. in-car electronic device enabling pre-pay)

·  ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and Data Tag.

3.  Unattended roadside collection and Data Tag was identified as the most suitable option both in terms of the practicality of the solution for users and the realisable savings which would be delivered. Appendix 1 and confidential appendix 2 provides further detail on the preferred option’s relative strengths and weaknesses and on the financial case.