DD2040 Meridian Water Station Improvements (at Meridian Water)

Angel Road station is the closest station to Meridian Water – a major development site in the Upper Lee Valley. Two constraints to development at Meridian Water are the low frequency of services at Angel Road station and the poor accessibility of the station, as recognised in the Upper Lee Valley Opportunity Area Planning Framework (adopted by the Mayor of London in July 2013). The existing entrance and route to the station from the Conduit Lane flyover is inconveniently located, poorly integrated with bus stop locations and is unattractive. This is a significant factor contributing to the low usage of the station – there were only 63,040 entries and exits in 2012/13.

This project seeks to assist in overcoming these inter-linked constraints and contribute to the unlocking of development at Meridian Water. The implementation of the Stratford to Angel Road (STAR) rail upgrade project will facilitate the improved frequency of services, whilst the Meridian Water Station Improvements project will provide a station with far greater accessibility, particularly to Meridian Water. This involves the relocation and upgrading of the station (to be renamed from ‘Angel Road station’ to the ‘Meridian Water station’), the construction of three new platform faces, creation of new entrances, provision of access for all via new lifts, and new station furniture and equipment. The project will also improve access to the existing business and residential community.

The London Enterprise Panel (LEP) endorsed the Meridian Water Station Improvements project in June 2013. In March 2015, the Investment and Performance Board (IPB) approved the Stage 1 (Strategic Case) for the investment of up to £2.5m Growing Places Fund (GPF) funding in the Meridian Water Station Improvements project. The Stage 2 (investment decision) was approved in May 2015.

Since LEP endorsement, and Stage 1 and 2 approvals by the IBP, the project has developed in form and function. The original £12,131,800 station design for the project focused on a typical ‘base station’ design by Network Rail (NR). However, in recent months (since September 2015) LB Enfield have been working with NR to evolve the form and function of the station within an enhanced design (see part 2 for details) which aims to:

• provide a different, enhanced, station design;
• provide 24/7 connectivity across the railway line from one side to the other for the public;
• address the future needs (and not just the current needs in isolation) of the local area to help future-proof both the station project and housing project; and
• provide a place maker environment to help unlock the Meridian Water development site.

The enhanced design for the station still incorporates the key components of the base scheme infrastructure that the GLA are funding as outputs (e.g. platforms, stairs, bridge, lifts, as outlined in section 2.1 below). However these are intrinsically incorporated into the enhanced station design and cannot be separated out as a separate project therefore resulting in the ‘base station’ design of the station now ceasing to exist. GLA Officers recognise that the wider range of outputs offered through the enhanced station design, compared to the outputs of the base station design, will significantly enhance the GPF investments in the project in terms of outputs delivered. Therefore, in July 2016 GLA Officers considered a proposal from LB Enfield to embody the GPF investments into the Meridian Water station project enhanced design. As a result, the GLA will be providing their GPF investment to the LB Enfield for the project in line with the conditions set out below; these conditions have been identified to help safeguard the GPF investment:

• GPF funding towards the station is a capped contribution of £9.4 million (which comprises of £2.5 million which will be captured through the Meridian Water station project funding agreement and £6.9 million captured through the wider £30.7 million STAR project agreement).
• The funds being provided through GPF are towards paying for works which are eligible costs in line with the outputs in our funding agreement (i.e. in line with the base infrastructure of the station such as platforms, stairs, bridge, lifts). The GPF funding cannot be used to subsidise the quality improvements which have taken place in the design for the enhanced scope station other than the base infrastructure elements of the station.
• The station is to be commissioned in two phases to reflect the need to release an enabling works package to prevent further delays to the programme (as outlined in sections 8.1 - 8.2 below).
• The £2.5 million GPF funding for Meridian Water station funding will become available for LB Enfield to drawdown once cost certainty has been provided by NR for the project, the full funding package has been secured by LB Enfield and the second phase contract between LB Enfield and NR has been agreed and entered into (with a long stop date of 31 July 2017) - this requirement will be captured within the funding agreement that the GLA and LB Enfield enter into.
• If a full funding package is not secured for the Meridian Water station project (see part 2 for details) by January 2017 then LB Enfield will seek to de-scope the project.
• Any uncertainty around the Meridian Water Station development cannot undermine the delivery of the STAR project (in respect of both programme and cost). To that end, the Meridian Water station project is being commissioned in two phases (as outlined in sections 8.1 – 8.2) to help implement mitigation measures against this risk.
• GPF puts a requirement on London Boroughs to repay GPF funding by a long stop date (in the instance of this Meridian Water station project this long stop date for repayment will be 31 March 2025). The provision to repay the funding by the end of the repayment window will be reflected within the funding agreement.
• If the second phase contract between LB Enfield and NR has not been entered into by 31 July 2017 the GLA will take steps to safeguard against the delivery of outputs (see part 2 of this report for more details).

NR has a client requirement document for the Meridian Water station which captures the look and feel of the station as requested by LB Enfield and the Development Services Agreement in place over the last seven months between NR and LB Enfield has been for the enhanced design of the station. Further details available in Part 2.

LB Enfield have identified a funding package to meet these project costs and its associated professional fees. The funding package comprises of two investments from GPF (£2.5 million through the Meridian Water station project and £6.9 million grant through the STAR project), two investments from the GLA Housing Zones (£6 million grant and £5.1 million recoverable grant), LB Enfield Forward Fund (from developer) of £10 million, LB Enfield capital of £6.7 million and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) of (estimated) £2.8 million. In the event of any cost overrun the borough will meet any additional costs. The GLA Housing and Land team are progressing approval for the investment of £6 million and £5.1 million (Housing Zones Funding) into the project; this is expected to be approved and into contract by the end of February 2017.

This Decision paper seeks approval for the investment of up to £2.5m GPF funding allocated to this project.

The strategic aim of this project is to assist in unlocking the Meridian Water development. Meridian Water is a major regeneration project that will deliver 10,000 homes and 6,700 jobs over the next 20 years.

Outputs:

The GPF investments cover the cost for the following outputs:

1. Relocated operational station (as part of this the Angel Road station will be renamed the ‘Meridian Water Station’).*
2. Two new station entrances including provision of one ticket machine and provision for the future installation of ticket barriers.*
3. New passenger bridge with three lifts (which enables the station to incorporate access for all/step free access).*
4. Three new platform faces.*
5. New station equipment and furniture (in line with the guidance set for the Department for Transport’s UK Railway Station Categories).*
LB Enfield will only be permitted to use the GPF investments (£2.5 million and £6.9 million) to fund works associated with delivery of the outputs identified by * above.

Additional outputs that will be delivered through the enhanced scope of the project (but not covered by the GPF investment) include:

6. Provide a place maker environment to help unlock the Meridian Water development site.
7. Provide 24/7 connectivity across the railway line from one side to the other for the public.
Also included in this cost is the additional rail system works for the positioning of the proposed station at Meridian Water.

Objective 1: Improve the accessibility of Meridian Water Station

Measurable benefits are:

• Relocated station with two new entrances and provision of access for all (via new lifts). Anticipated date for the station to be brought into Operational Service is May 2019 (date to be confirmed by NR at entering into the second phase Implementation Agreement with LB Enfield).
• Increased Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) of the area from 2 (poor) to 3 (moderate) by the date at which the station is brought into Operational Service
• By 2030/31, over 1.5 million station entries and exits per annum

Objective 2: Assist in enabling the delivery of 10,000 new homes and 6,700 new jobs at Meridian Water over the next 20 years.

Measurable benefits are:

• Delivery of 3,675 new homes between 30 May 2019 and 31 March 2026 (as part of the Housing Zone allocation for Meridian Way).
• Delivery of 6,325 additional new homes beyond 31 March 2026 (as part of the wider contact LB Enfield have with the developer).
• Assist in enabling the delivery of 6,700 new jobs at Meridian Water over the next 20 years.

The project seeks to address issues of high deprivation in the Upper Lee Valley by addressing identified barriers to growth. Specific equality benefits include:

• Increased access to jobs along the Lea Valley, in particular at Stratford.

• Improved connections to leisure opportunities including the Olympic legacy facilities.

This project is also likely to have a positive impact on equality issues due to the inclusion of ‘Access for All’ provisions, such as step free access.

Key risks and issues

​​​​​​​Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities

This project supports a number of Mayoral priorities. In particular, the activity supports the Mayor’s manifesto commitments to create new homes and jobs in London.

There is £2.5 million earmarked in the GPF capital budget as the source of funding for this project, which will all be drawn down in the 2017-18 financial-year, (with the estimated draw-down being £1,250m in quarter 3 and the same for quarter 4). This would then be repayable over six years starting in 2019-20 and finishing in 2024-25 at the indicative rate of £435,000 for five years and £325,000 for one year. The London Borough of Enfield plan to use the capital receipts from land sales from the development partner to make the GPF repayments. The repayment profile will be confirmed in the funding agreement.

The total funding required for the project is captured in Part 2 of this paper and the balance of funding includes £3.8 million from Enfield, including capital receipts from land sales and £6m being made available via the Housing Zone grant. As detailed within the main body of this report, the GLA’s Housing & Land Team are progressing approval for the Housing Zone Investment for this project and is expected to be approved and into contract by the end of February 2017. Approval of the GPF funding is conditional on this and all other funding sources being confirmed and will form part of the funding agreement. Any shortfalls in Enfield’s Capital receipts from land sales which are being used for the repayment of GPF funding will have to be a risk carried by the borough and the funding agreement will only be finalised once all funding sources are confirmed.

Any changes to this proposal, including budgetary implications will be subject to further approval via the Authority’s decision-making process. All appropriate budget adjustments will be made.

The foregoing sections of this report indicate that:

- the decisions requested of the Executive Director involve the exercise the GLA’s general powers falling within the statutory powers of the GLA to do such things as may be considered to further, and or be facilitative of or conducive or incidental to the furthering of, the promotion of wealth creation and economic development in Greater London including the provision of funding which might be provided by Transport for London where it is for the purposes of, or relates to, housing or regeneration and the making of investments where for any purpose relevant to its functions under any enactment, or for the purposes of the prudent management of its financial affairs; and

- in formulating the proposals in respect of which a decision is sought officers have complied with the GLA’s related statutory duties to:

(a) pay due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people;
(b) consider how the proposals will promote the improvement of health of persons, health
inequalities between persons and to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom; and
(c) consult with appropriate bodies.

Officers have indicated that report that the contribution of funding to the London Borough of Enfield will amount to an investment by way of the provision of (repayable) funding and not a payment for services to be provided and must ensure that the proposed funding is disbursed in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with the GLA’s Contracts and Funding Code and a funding agreement is put in place between and executed by the GLA and London Borough of Enfield before any commitment to the funding is made.

In taking the decisions requested, the director must have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty; namely the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010, and to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic (race, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity and gender reassignment) and persons who do not share it and foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it (section 149 of the Equality Act 2010). To this end, the director should have particular regard to section 3 (above) of this report.

The project will be delivered and monitored by the LB Enfield who will enter into an Implementation Agreement with NR in two phases (early November 2016 and (once cost certainty is provided) by the end of May 2017) to deliver the actual station improvement works. This two phased contract approach has been selected to minimise risks around NR contracting Volkerfitzpatrick for the full WAML scheme on time (which includes the Meridian Water station project) in November 2016. The initial contract will aim to focus on the on-track works and base function infrastructure, and the second contract (entered into after cost certainty) will cover delivery of the remainder of the project.

NR has advised that final costs are planned to be provided to LB Enfield verbally at the end of January 2017. LB Enfield confirmed that between the January and May 2017 window, they will be working with NR to ensure a final draft of the second phase contract is prepared and ready for being submitted for sign off by the end of May 2017. A drop dead date of 31 July 2017 has been agreed for the signing of the second phase contract. NR have confirmed that the on track works will still be going ahead as programmed from November 2016, and that it is expected that the station infrastructure will start to be constructed from September 2017.

LB Enfield has confirmed that the aim is to have a programme for the Meridian Water station project that has a deadline for completion by May 2019. As captured by the separate but linked STAR project, the provision of a new bi-directional third track from north of Tottenham Hale station to the new Meridian Water station will be complete by December 2018, with trains running along most of the new third track (i.e. entry into service) by December 2018. GLA Officers acknowledge that slippage to the completion date of the (separate but interlinked) STAR project (which is scheduled for completion in December 2018) may directly impact the completion date of the Meridian Water station project in terms of the date upon which trains can enter into service at the new station. NR are working with LB Enfield on the programme and risks, but confirmed that the date for completion will not be known until December 2016 when the final version of the programme is planned to be available to LB Enfield. Whilst the programme is planned to be available in December 2016, NR are sharing the emerging picture with LB Enfield every fortnight.

​​​​​​​Both the STAR project (rail infrastructure improvements to introduce a third line which will create improved train frequency) and the Meridian Water Station Improvements project need to be delivered to unlock the land for housing development at Meridian Water. Therefore the earliest homes can be delivered at Meridian Water is May 2019. If there is slippage to the December 2018 completion date for the STAR project then this will have a direct impact on the ability for LB Enfield to deliver homes in line with the timescales outlined in Section 2.1 above. Mitigation measures against the risk of programme delay are understood in Section 4.1.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The estimated profile of GPF expenditure is £2.5 million in 2017/18. The funding agreement will set out clear requirements for repayment and will include a repayment profile starting in 2019/20 and completing in 2024/25; the indicative repayment profile is set out below and will be formalised in the GPF agreement:

Enfield will be entering into a GPF agreement with the GLA and will be committing towards the repayment of funding. It is Enfield’s plan to use the capital receipts from land sales from the development partner to make GPF repayments.

​​​​​​​LB Enfield will be taking on cost risk of the project and will stand behind any cost increases in the project and/or any gaps in funding (excluding any cost risks associated with the funding being provided by the GLA which will be a capped fixed amount).

​​​​​​​Within the GLA, the project will be managed by the Regeneration Team reporting to the LEP Delivery Board and the LEP. Performance will be monitored (against both GPF investments of £2.5 million and £6.9 million) through a monthly meeting convened between GLA Officers, LB Enfield and other relevant stakeholders. Performance will also be monitored through monthly dashboards and any amber and red risks will be reported to the Regeneration team’s Budget and Performance Review process to ensure all steps are taken to mitigate and reduce any potential impacts of risks.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​There will be an obligation for Enfield to undertake a self-evaluation at project closure.