London Borough of Barnet 22nd March 2016

Mill Hill Broadway Accessibility Feasibility Study – Study Brief

Study Aim:

To produce a GRIP3-Option Selection Report, supported by Network Rail, for a viable step-free access for Mill Hill Broadway Station, which provides a route between the platforms. This report will need provide circa four high level options with associated high level costings.

This Option Selection Report is necessary to make Mill Hill Broadway station well placed for the next round of funding from the Department for Transport in 2019. Visual improvements to the station and enabling development initiatives for adjoining sites to the station (Bunns Lane car park and Mill Hill Station interchange/undercroft) are also directly connected to the achievement of the step free access objectives and therefore need to be considered as part of the options appraisal process.

The key output is for the station to achieve an unobstructed and obstacle free 'accessible route', from at least one station entrance (usually the main one) and all drop-off points associated with that entrance, to each platform and between platforms served by passenger trains.

An accessible route is defined as:

A route for a manually self-propelled wheelchair user to negotiate.

A distance, ideally not exceeding 400m, from station entrance (or drop off point if further) to the appropriate point of entry/exit of trains at platforms.

The step free access route will need to meet all applicable Train and Station Services for the joint Code of Practice by the Department for Transport and Transport Scotland, entitled “Design Standards for Accessible Railway Stations”. (Except where prior dispensations have been agreed with the Department for Transport).

The specific infrastructure required to achieve this is determined on a station by station basis with the predominant solution being the provision of lifts to new or existing bridges/subways.

In addition to meeting the objective of an accessible route, there are three specific infrastructure outputs which are being considered on a station by station basis. These are:

Installation of platform edge tactile paving

Providing access to, but not into, station operator facilities

Providing access to, but not into, station retail facilities

The works will also be designed to comply with the joint Code of Practice by the Department for Transport and Transport Scotland, entitled “Design Standards for Accessible Railway Stations”.

Background

Mill Hill Broadway Station was originally built in 1868. The station was then rebuilt in the 1960s in connection with the construction of the M1 motorway.

There are four trains per hour Southbound from the station to Central London, Wimbledon and Sutton. There are also four trains per hour North Bound, of which two terminate at St Albans and two at Luton. Finally there are night train services between Bedford-Brighton, Gatwick Airport and Three Bridges. After 19.00 the southbound service is only two trains per hour, but the station is served by four trains per hour northbound, two from St Pancras and two from London Bridge until 22.30, when the service becomes two trains per hour. Currently, train services are operated by Go-via Thameslink Railway (branded as Thameslink). Between 2014 and 2015, 2,675 million entries and exits were registered at the station.

The quality of access and subsequent movement around the station is not commensurate with a station catering for circa 2.7 million passengers per annum. Local groups, Councillors and the local MP feel that the lack of step free access is a clear gap in the quality of the service as is the quality of the space within the main approach to the station entrance, via the undercroft of the M1 Bridge.

The existing tunnel that connects the two platforms is also narrow, which raises concerns about congestion and safety at peak times.

The station is characterized by its dominant concrete design, resulting in a very dark and uninviting atmosphere for passengers when entering and exiting the station. Upon arrival by train passengers exit the station via a ground level parking lot with 42 spaces and a bus loop covered by a heavy concrete structure and the M1 motorway crossing above. There are no cash machines, no waiting rooms and no public toilets available at the station.

Study Objectives

To identify potential solutions to provide step-free access between the three platforms at Mill Hill Broadway Station to the satisfaction of both the Council and Network Rail. To illustrate how these options can potentially link to the redevelopment of the adjoining Bunns Lane car park and Mill Hill Station interchange / undercroft sites to improve the appearance and public realm dimensions of the station and surrounding areas.

To assist the Council to identify a preferred solution, including stakeholder briefing meetings (for selected invitees including local user/disability groups) presenting the options and the likely preferred solution.

To secure Network Rail’s approvals to the findings of the study.

For London Borough of Barnet to retain intellectual property rights for the study that the successful supplier produces to meet this requirement

The successful supplier to support future procurement, subject to budget and authorisation to proceed with delivery of step free access at Mill Hill Broadway

Principles

To guide thinking on the development of options for the site, and recognising the complexity of the project we have developed a list of the key principles that must be taken into consideration with any proposal:

The station must remain open and functioning during the build / development process (this is likely to influence the options for step free access and movement between the platforms).

Interchange function must achieve straightforward step-free movement from bus to train.

Interchange function should support and recognise the strategic importance of this location (in terms of the number of serving bus routes and the forthcoming 12-car Thameslink trains).

Interchange function of the station with bus, taxi, cycle and vehicular drop-off is a priority.

Station access from the High Street should be maintained

Step Free Access

The design of the Step Free Access proposals will shape the development of adjoining sites.

We expect the most deliverable solution will involve the creation of a footbridge above the platforms with lift and step access down to each platform, but are open to all approaches.

We anticipate that the main station entrance may need to be relocated to the existing site of Bunns Lane Car Park, with a secondary entrance / access from Station Road.

An entrance from Station Road could still provide step free access from the High Street; this would be an alternative to Mill Hill Broadway where the footway passes under the bridge.

Bus Station

The co-location of the bus station and entrance to the rail station is a key design matter that will support sustainable travel decisions, and should be achieved within any proposal.

The relocation of the buses to the front of Bunns Lane car park would follow if the main station entrance is relocated to the car park site; this would then require a review of bus stops within the high street to explore if stop relocation or additional stops are required.

Any changes to the bus station facilities will need to be discussed and agreed with TfL. If it transpires that TfL are not happy with relocating the bus station facility then this option would be ruled out.

Car Parking

Car parking at the Bunns Lane car park is well utilised, in part (90% weekdays, 10% weekends) and therefore how it is used to support development proposals will need careful consideration.

Commuter car parking is currently an important function for residents and therefore it should be retained unless appropriate justification is brought forwards.

The role of Bunns Lane car park as supporting the activities of the town centre more broadly is at present less well evidenced, particularly in terms of weekend use.

The outcome for the Council from any change to the site must be an increase to revenue.

Development Opportunities – M1 undercroft / current station interchange

If the drop-off, taxi, bus stops and bus stands are re-provided elsewhere, this space could provide a large volume High Street use such as a supermarket or leisure destination.

Residential accommodation would not be suitable in this location. Maintaining an access to the station and a direct link to the Bunns Lane car park

would support the travel impacts associated with this site being developed. Possibly the existing access could provide this link and enable maximum development in the space under the M1.

Key Technical Requirements:

The designer should follow the process the DfTs Accessible Train Station Design document (Appendix A), unless otherwise indicated by the Council and Network Rail. It should be applied to all new build elements or to elements of existing infrastructure included within the step-free route.

The consultant should use the Penrith Station AfA Option Selection Report (Appendix B) as a guide to best practice for this work. A template version of that report is provided for the consultant’s use.

The consultant should produce a Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA) of the design, taking account of the Public Sector Equality Duty in the Equalities Act 2010 (s149) (PSED and DIA FAQs Appendix C & Appendix D).

Step-free route options should include, but not be limited to:o Using (retaining) the existing tunnel and adding lifts;o Replacing the existing tunnel and adding lifts; ando A new off-line footbridge with lifts.

Proposals for a new footbridge and lifts must take into account the constraints of the existing narrow platforms.

Securing Technical Approvals:

Lift design is a key consideration for the station due to the known issue of narrow platforms. Therefore it is suggested that an investigation into the possibility of utilising thin lifts may be necessary. For lift designs & advice a technical audit should be secured an appropriate Vertical Transport Engineering Consultant. An example of such a consultant is: (Butler & Young (contact: Iain Mills, email iain@bylcl.co.uk).

Other Requirements of the Fee Proposal

The consultant should indicate how they intend to complete the work, including both methodology and programme.

The Council would like to see the project completed within two months of commissioning and, if this is not likely to be possible, the consultant should indicate this and the likely reasons. An alternative programme should then be offered.

The consultant should provide details of the staff proposed to work on this commission and their relevant experience, including projects where they have acted as Contractor’s Responsible Engineer (CRE) and Contractor’s Engineering Manager (CEM).

Other information:

Examples of completed projects for step free access at other stations include: Herne Hill, Blackheath, Bromley South, Lewisham, New Cross, New Cross Gate, Brockley, Honor Oak Park, Forest Hill, Canterbury West, Sittingbourne Denmark Hill, Orpington, New Eltham, Strood, Gravesend, Staplehurst, Swanley, Bexleyheath, Bearstead, and Paddock Wood.

Other background documents:o Example NR Route Requirements Document for Access for All projectso BR Client Remit for AfA schemeso Basic Asset Protection Agreemento CP0043o NR’s Diversity Impact Assessment form and supporting guide.

The key contacts for this project are:o LB Barnet Jamie Cooke; ando Network Rail: Dave Hignett.

Important stakeholders who need to be involved at every stage of the project are:o Transport for London (TfL) who operate the buses on the station’s ground

flooro London Borough of Barneto Network Railo Highways England who manages the M1 Motorwayo Govia who manages the undercroft parking spaceso Businesses in the Broadway High Streeto The Mill Hill Neighbourhood Forumo The Mill Hill Residents Societyo The Mill Hill Preservation Societyo LB Barnet Ward Councillorso Rt Hon Matthew Offord MP

Appendix

Site photographs

Fig 1. Bunns Lane Car Park (Southern end) and Marchant Close residential development

Fig 2. Bunns Lane Car Park (middle) and Langley Close residential properties to the West

Fig 3. Bunns Lane Car Park (Northern end) and adjacent commercial use sites

Fig 4. Bunns Lane Car Park (Northern end) and Mill Hill Broadway / Hale Lane intersection

Fig 4. Bunns Lane Car Park (Northern end) and Mill Hill Broadway / Hale Lane intersection

Fig 5. Mill Hill Station interchange and undercroft parking / drop-off

LB Barnet Environment Commissioning4th March 2016