Contact: Amy Bristow, ext 7038

1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out the aims and objectives of the Western Hampshire Transport Strategy (WHTS), progress on its development and the role of this Panel in guiding its development. Members are asked to note the progress and give approval to consult on the draft strategy.

2. Introduction

2.1 Western Hampshire is a predominantly rural area of the Test Valley, covering approximately 200 square miles, with a population of over 46,000. This population is spread around a large number of villages and hamlets in the area. The most significant community in terms of size is Stockbridge.

2.2 The nature of Western Hampshire brings with it a range of transportation issues common to rural areas. Accessibility, both into the area and to facilities needed by members of the community, is of paramount importance. The dispersed nature of the population does not lend itself to being easily served by public transport, and hence there is a high level of reliance on the private car. For those without a car there is a problem of social exclusion.

2.3 Safety is a key issue in this area, both in terms of high traffic speeds on narrow roads and use of the road network by heavy vehicles which are accessing the area.

2.4 The Local Transport Plan, published in July 2000, includes an outline strategy for the WHTS area, identifying principles, aims and objectives. Figure 1 shows the parishes covered by the strategy. WHTS is separate from the Andover Transport Strategy area to take account of the differences between the rural and urban qualities of the two areas.

2.5 The outline strategy is also broadly consistent with other transport strategies in Hampshire and is in line with Government planning guidance on transport considerations, particularly the Transport White Paper 'A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone' (1998) and Planning Policy Guidance 13 (PPG13) which seeks to establish the principles of sustainability in land use and transport proposals.

3. Developing the Strategy

3.1 Initial discussions between County Council and Test Valley Borough Council officers have already been held to decide how the strategy should be progressed and work has begun on drafting a strategy document for public comment.

Aims

3.2 The aims of the strategy are to tackle the transport issues in the rural parts of Western Hampshire, maintaining the area's rural character whilst improving travel choice for everybody. There is a need to:

(i) promote sustainable development;

(ii) reduce the need to travel;

(iii) improve accessibility for all, regardless of mobility; and

(iv) improve the environment.

Objectives

3.3 The objectives for public consultation are likely to include the following:

(i) improving accessibility for residents in rural areas;

(ii) increasing the availability and use of community transport;

(iii) locating new development where alternatives to the car are available so as to reduce reliance on the car;

(iv) implementing county-wide parking standards through the development control process;

(v) raising public awareness of the importance of transport issues through the Headstart initiative, including public ownership of the solutions, and seeking agreement to the strategy's aim of encouraging a change in people's behaviour;

(vi) continuing the County Council's rural traffic calming work in conjunction with Test Valley Borough and Parish Councils;

(vii) improving accessibility for all, especially the mobility impaired and vulnerable road users; and

(viii) optimising the use of the existing highway network and enhancing the image and operation of passenger transport information systems, including the use of intelligent transport systems.

4. Scope of the Strategy

4.1 The strategy will look at the issues in the area under the broad categories of Environment, Accessibility, Safety, Integration and Economy.

Environment

4.2 Environmental improvements will be a key theme in the strategy, as it is intended to maintain the rural nature of the area, whilst improving travel choices and allowing people to use the countryside for leisure and recreation purposes.

4.3 Through the Parish Partnerships Programme efforts will continue on working directly with parishes to identify issues of local importance and provide local environmental management schemes, where appropriate.

Accessibility and Integration

4.4 A lack of local facilities in rural areas creates a need to travel, which can create heavy reliance on car use. The strategy will therefore be looking at levels of accessibility to key services and facilities by all modes of transport and investigating areas where there is scope to make improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users, as well as considering more vulnerable people, such as the young and elderly. Further work will be carried out to improve interchanges. Cycle lockers have already been installed at Dean and Dunbridge railway stations.

4.5 The County Council has become increasingly involved in helping provide community transport services. Work has already started to develop liaison between various schemes, with the long term aim of improving coordination and filling gaps in provision; this will continue as part of the Rural Transport Partnership Fund project.

Safety

4.6 Road safety measures will be a key theme in the strategy. A major concern for rural residents is the presence of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in villages. The needs of pedestrians and cyclists will be considered in developing routeing strategies. Work has already begun to investigate how measures could be introduced in Kings Somborne to reduce the impact of traffic and HGVs on pedestrians, cyclists and local residents.

4.7 Work is already under way on a county-wide programme of Safer Routes to Schools. In the WHTS area an initial programme of expenditure of £50,000 per year over three years has been identified. Funding has already been made available in Stockbridge and further assessments will be carried out across Western Hampshire to see where the County Council can work with schools to develop travel plans and encourage children to walk and cycle.

Economy

4.8 Farming, leisure and tourism activities are important to the economy. Increasingly, communities are experiencing the closure of local services and facilities. Not only does this affect the local economy it also leads to people having to travel further, often by car, which is contrary to policies that seek to reduce car dependency.

5. Consultation on the Strategy

5.1 The ability to get local people to contribute to the strategy and be part of it will be important. The involvement and commitment of other bodies, including the Countryside Agency, the Freight Transport Association, schools and businesses, will also be important and will be developed as the strategy progresses.

5.2 It is proposed that a consultation document is distributed to all draft consultees (the local business community, parish councils, interest groups, transport operators, public service providers and educational establishments) and copies be made available in County and Borough Council offices, local libraries and to anyone else requesting a copy. The potential for using the Internet to involve a wider range of participants will also be considered.

6. Organisational Arrangements

6.1 The strategy is to be developed by the County Council in partnership with Test Valley Borough Council and other organisations as necessary.

6.2 Transportation Strategy Panels are likely to be held twice a year, with officers meeting at appropriate intervals to exchange information.

Contacts:

Hampshire County Council John Buckett (01962 846599)

Hampshire County Council Kevin Travers (01962 847763)

Test Valley Borough Council Mark Lambert (01264 368720)

Recommendations

1. That the Panel notes the contents of this report.

2. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment that the consultation strategy for the Western Hampshire Transport Strategy be approved.

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