Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

12 March 2002

Project Appraisal: St Peter's Road, Petersfield - Pedestrian and Environmental Improvements

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 11

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

ST PETER'S ROAD, PETERSFIELD - PEDESTRIAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

APRIL 2002

COMPLETION DATE:

MAY 2002

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2001/02

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Jan 02

(at Jan 02

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

nil

nil

Construction

35

35

Fees

10

10

45

45

Less developers/

other contributions

nil

nil

45

45

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) CHARTS Programme 2001/02

35

(b) Country Towns Initiative

10

45

2.

From other resources

TOTAL

45

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

nil

nil

Capital charges

3

0.003

TOTAL net expenditure

3

0.003

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Petersfield lies within the East Hampshire District and is covered by the Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy (CHARTS).

The scheme is identified in the 2000/01 programme for Petersfield which was approved by the CHARTS Panel on 6 October 2000, and subsequently endorsed by the former Planning and Transportation Committee on 20 November 2000.

The project also integrates with the County Council's approved Country Towns Initiative Programme, which identifies Petersfield for 2001/02. This programme delivers environmental enhancement, traffic calming and landscape improvement works to identified rural towns and villages in Hampshire. Through such works the programme aims to add to the environmental character and distinctiveness of these areas and promote them as vibrant local service centres.

The St Peter's Road scheme forms the first stage of a package of environmental and highway improvement works that are planned for Petersfield town centre. The proposals are the subject of this project appraisal. Further reports will be prepared for the proposed works to The Square, the High Street and the proposed 20 mph zone. A location plan is attached to this report.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

The CHARTS area forms one of 10 transport strategy areas included in the Local Transport Plan, which was first published by Hampshire County Council in June 1999.

The strategy sets out a five year programme for the development of key transportation initiatives within the area; the final draft of which was endorsed by the former Planning and Transportation Committee on 4 September 2000.

As part of CHARTS, a transport strategy for Petersfield has been developed and is known as the Petersfield Area Transportation Strategy (PATS). Its aim is to address future transport needs within the policy framework of sustainability, whilst maintaining the character of the town and supporting its economy.

This scheme forms part of a package of transportation initiatives currently being developed for Petersfield under PATS, which was formally launched on 6 December 2000. The strategy sets out a series of transportation proposals for the Petersfield area over the next 20 years. This has been developed following earlier work by the County Council in partnership with East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) and Petersfield Town Council. The main aim was to reflect the ideas provided by a series of community workshops and extensive local consultation. A draft report was produced by consultants Halcrow Fox, which was consulted on in November 1999. Following consultation the draft strategy was refined and included most of the proposals recommended by the Halcrow Fox report.

This scheme is expected to contribute to the delivery of Proposal 11 within PATS which aims to 'improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists in Petersfield'. The scheme will form the first stage in the delivery of Proposal 13 of PATS which aims to provide a 20 mph speed limit zone for the 'historic core' of the town centre. The 'historic core', includes the High Street, The Square, part of Chapel Street, St Peter's Road, Sheep Street, Hylton Road and part of The Spain. Although subject to further project appraisals, the remainder of the proposals for The Square and the High Street are expected to be delivered later in 2002 and early in 2003.

Both proposals within PATS accord with the County Council's Local Transport Plan through the development of a safer environment that will help promote sustainable transport modes such as walking and cycling.

Details of scheme and design standards

The scheme has been designed to improve conditions for pedestrians in part of St Peter's Road between The Square and the Police Station. This section of St Peter's Road forms part of an important pedestrian route between the town centre and the new retail foodstore located south of the town. It is also part of the commercial centre and adjoins The Square - the second phase of the proposed town centre enhancements. Accordingly this scheme incorporates design conservation features and materials that are consistent with the future proposals for The Square and High Street.

The scheme features:

(i)

footway widening and paving works;

(ii)

improved street lighting; and

(iii)

carriageway resurfacing.

Detailed drawing no. BC/0241/001/A will be displayed at the meeting, and illustrates the proposals for both St Peter's Road and The Square.

The design conforms to the standards of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, as well as to Hampshire County Council standards, and has been subjected to the safety audit process.

Environmental impact

Although no environmental study has been undertaken, the scheme is expected to provide an overall improvement to the street scene as well as creating an attractive and safer environment for all road users, in line with the conservation area setting.

The improved street lighting will focus light to the paved surfaces and is expected to reduce overall light pollution levels.

Land requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing highway limits.

Statutory procedures

As the works are taking place within the conservation area of Petersfield town centre, East Hampshire District Council - who is a partner in the development of the scheme - has been consulted and supports the proposals.

Public consultation

A six week public consultation period was launched on 22 May 2001 at the Central Area Community Committee of East Hampshire District Council, where a presentation was made by officers of both the County and District Councils. A public exhibition was held on 24 and 25 May 2001 at which preliminary proposals for the High Street, The Square and the proposed 20 mph zone were displayed. This was held at the Physic Garden Meeting Room and was staffed by officers of the County and District Councils. Visitors were encouraged to complete a questionnaire which also provided an opportunity to give additional written comments. On 27 May 2001 the exhibition was transferred to the Festival Hall in Petersfield where it remained, unmanned, until 2 July 2001. Questionnaires were also available at this location. The public consultation was widely advertised in the press and posters were displayed at public buildings.

The proposals for The Square were well supported with 76% of replies agreeing to every item in principle. The proposals for St Peter's Road were well supported with 79% of replies agreeing to the principle of widening the footway leading to The Square. The proposal to improve the street lighting and to provide drop kerb crossing points were supported by 83% and 88% of respondents respectively. The principle of retaining two-way traffic in St Peter's Road was supported by 63% of respondents.

A detailed report on the public consultation exercise was submitted to the CHARTS Panel on 9 November 2001. The Panel approved the proposals for the High Street, The Square and St Peter's Road, together with the proposed 20 mph zone for the historic core of the town, to proceed to detailed design and implementation stage. This decision was endorsed by the Executive Member for Environment on 12 December 2001.

Key stakeholders, such as Petersfield Town Council, Petersfield First (representing Traders), Hampshire Constabulary, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, East Hampshire Cyclists' Forum, The South Downs Association (representing mobility impaired groups) and the Town Centre Manager, have all been consulted and support these proposals. Discussions with representatives from the District Council, Town Council, Petersfield First (Traders Representatives) and the Town Centre Manager have helped to identify an implementation programme which will minimise disruption to the functions of the town centre.

Further consultation with frontagers will be undertaken prior to and during the construction phase in order to accommodate their needs for access.

The local Member, Councillor John West, supports these proposals.

Facilities for the disabled

The widening of footways is expected to benefit people with mobility impairments. Drop kerb crossings and tactile paving will also be provided where appropriate. The scheme is also expected to complement the provision of the Shopmobility scheme which has recently opened in the town (to which the County Council has made a financial contribution).

Maintenance implications

The revenue implications of this proposal will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The improved street lighting is expected to contribute towards both the removal and fear of crime in the area.

Sustainability

Part of the objective of the scheme is to improve the role of Petersfield town centre as a sustainable local service centre and to help encourage sustainable transport modes, such as public transport, walking and cycling.

The materials selected for use in the scheme accord with those used in the earlier Petersfield Demonstration Project that focused on the nearby Dragon Street and College Street. The materials have also been selected for their durability and are in keeping with the conservation area setting.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Earlier work undertaken by transport consultants Halcrow Fox had suggested that this section of St Peter's Road be converted to a one-way street. Further investigation of this proposal has identified that vehicle speeds would be likely to increase in a high pedestrian flow area, leading to a potential reduction in safety.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

Working Files 10/5/67192, 10/5/67195, 10/5/69022

County Surveyor's Department

Implementation Section - Room 415