Contact: Sam Clark, ext 6053

1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out progress on several studies and schemes being undertaken to implement the Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy (CHARTS), including the Highway Agency's A3 Hindhead scheme, as follows:

(i) Petersfield town centre improvements and 20 miles per hour zone;

(ii) Alton town centre;

(iii) B2177 Twyford to Wickham corridor;

(iv) CHARTS cycling strategy;

(v) Bank Street, Bishops Waltham;

(vi) Denmead Village;

(vii) Village initiatives; and

(viii) A3 Hindhead improvement scheme.

2. Petersfield Town Centre Improvements and 20 mph Zone

2.1 Progress continues on implementing the 20 miles per hour (mph) zone for the `historic core' of the town centre, together with associated environmental improvements in The Square, High Street, Hylton Road and part of St Peter's Road.

2.2 The first phase of the works in St Peter's Road was completed in July 2002. The street lighting is to be upgraded, together with other lighting improvements proposed for the town centre.

2.3 The works in The Square (excluding improvements to the north side) started in September 2002 and were programmed to be completed by the end of October 2002. Unforeseen difficulties and the wet weather during October and November delayed progress and work was suspended at the end of November to avoid any disruptions during the lead-up to Christmas. Work restarted early in January 2003 and is due to finish by late February.

2.4 Following approval of the project appraisal on 12 November 2002, work on the third and final phase for the north side of The Square and the High Street east of Rams Walk is due to start in late February 2003. This phase is due for completion by summer 2003.

2.5 Part of the town centre improvement scheme includes extending the restricted parking zone (currently only on Dragon Street) into the 20 mph zone. A public exhibition/consultation was held in December 2002 for local people to comment on the proposals.

2.6 Work on the detailed design for the Hylton Road traffic calming scheme is under way. The scheme, which includes speed tables and cushions to help reduce traffic speeds, is likely to be ready for implementation by the summer.

2.7 On completion of the town centre improvements, the proposed 20 mph speed limit and the extension of the restricted parking zone can be implemented (subject to satisfactory progression of the traffic regulation orders).

2.8 The latest position concerning the Petersfield town centre improvements and 20 mph zone is due to be presented to the East Hampshire Highway Management Advisory Panel on 18 March 2003.

3. Alton Town Centre

3.1 Members may recall that at the October 2002 meeting draft Alton transport proposals were considered. Since October further discussions on specific transport issues have taken place with Alton Town Council and the Alton Society. Public consultation on the draft proposals is planned for summer 2003.

3.2 Alton Town Council is developing a town plan and vision for Alton alongside the County Council's transport proposals for the town. The Town Council carried out a `health check' of the town in the summer of 2002 which raised a number of issues, including transport for the town. In November 2002 the Town Council sent a questionnaire to all residents seeking views on these issues. The consultation closed at the end of January 2003 and the responses relating to transport issues will be forwarded to the County Council for consideration in the development of the Alton transport proposals.

4. B2177 Twyford to Wickham Corridor

4.1 On 22 October 2002 Members considered the results from the public consultation held last summer on the proposed traffic management scheme for Twyford village. The outcome of the consultation and the proposed modifications were noted and carried forward into the detailed design stage.

4.2 On 14 January 2003 the Executive Member for Environment approved the project appraisal for the implementation of the scheme in the summer of 2003. Consideration of pedestrian crossing facilities at the traffic signal controlled crossroads in the village centre is being undertaken separately to avoid delaying the main scheme.

4.3 The latest position concerning the B2177 Twyford to Wickham corridor and the Twyford village traffic management scheme is due to be presented to the Winchester Highway Management Advisory Panel on 28 February 2003.

5. CHARTS Cycling Strategy

5.1 At the last meeting of the CHARTS cycle group, held in December 2002, the local cycling clubs - Hampshire Cycling and East Hampshire Cyclists' Forum - met with officers from local authorities in the CHARTS area to discuss cycle routes. At the meeting, prioritisation of cycle routes within the capital programme was discussed and it was agreed to follow a new approach of focusing on implementing cycle facilities in the urban areas of towns and village centres. This approach was considered to provide the most benefit for cyclists and could help with attracting new cyclists, in addition to developing the first stages of the longer distance inter-urban routes.

5.2 It was also agreed that both Winchester City Council and East Hampshire District Council will continue developing their own district-wide cycle plans to ultimately feed into the CHARTS cycling strategy.

6. Bank Street, Bishops Waltham

6.1 A trial of the traffic calming scheme, including a priority change at the Bank Street/Free Street/Hoe Road junction, and footway provision on Bank Street was implemented in December 2002 and is planned to be in place for approximately six months. After the trial, further consultation will take place with the Parish Council, local County and District Members, Winchester City Council, local residents, businesses and the Hampshire Constabulary. Subject to the trial and further consultation, it is intended to make the scheme permanent and it is programmed for implementation in 2003/04.

6.2 The latest position concerning the Bank Street trial in Bishops Waltham is due to be presented to the Winchester Highway Management Advisory Panel on 28 February 2003.

7. Denmead Village

7.1 Investigations into the priority issues raised by the Parish Council are continuing.

7.2 The section of Hambledon Road east of the village centre, which also includes the Infants School, is wide enough to accommodate pedestrian refuges. Besides safety and convenience benefits these should also have a positive effect on driver behaviour. However, the locations of the refuges will be constrained by the need to preserve access to the numerous dwellings and businesses which front this section of Hambledon Road.

7.3 Vehicle and pedestrian surveys in the vicinity of the health centre have shown that the minimum County Council criteria for a pelican or zebra crossing are not met. Investigations into alternative measures to assist pedestrians to cross Hambledon Road in this area are being carried out.

7.4 The masterplan framework options for the Major Development Area (MDA) to the west of Waterlooville are currently being considered by the County Council, Havant Borough and Winchester City Councils. The transport impact of these options on the local transport highway networks form part of the assessment process. It is important that the assessment takes into account the need to minimise the impact of the MDA on adjoining villages, such as Denmead and Hambledon on the B2150. This will provide the opportunity to consider the need for additional measures required to manage traffic in the area and protect the local environment.

8. Village Initiatives

8.1 Hambledon - Atkins has developed a traffic calming scheme for the B2150, incorporating West Street junction narrowing and realignment, village gateways, half width build-outs and pinch points. The detailed design is substantially complete, prior to final consultation with the Parish Council and preparation of an implementation contract. The estimated cost of the scheme is £40,000.

8.2 West Meon - Atkins has completed the detailed design scheme and agreed it with the Parish Council. The scheme is located at Church Lane on the A32 opposite the junction with the road to East Meon and involves a footway realignment and extension to provide a safer crossing location for pedestrians and also improved pedestrian access into the East Meon road itself. The estimated cost of the scheme is £8,000.

8.3 Clanfield - A pedestrian refuge in Chalton Lane is being designed by Atkins to provide a safer crossing location for pedestrians, between the village and the sports pavilion. Together with central hatched road markings, the scheme will complement a Parish Partnership proposal for Chalton Lane aimed at reducing the existing 40 mph speed limit to 30 mph. The estimated cost of the scheme is £10,000.

8.4 Steep - A report was presented to this Panel on 22 October 2002 describing the background to a traffic management plan produced by Steep Parish Council. Since October officers have met with the local steering group to clarify some of the issues raised in the plan and to assess priorities. These include a new footway along Church Road near Steep Primary School, together with several passing bays in Steep Marsh to reduce the erosion of existing highway verges. Another improvement for the village, identified from the TAPESTRY project, is the replacement of the bus stop (see paragraph 2.7 of the report on TAPESTRY). A feasibility study is currently being prepared covering all the issues raised in the plan, which will be submitted to the Parish Council in spring 2003. Although funding requirements are not known, Steep has been included in the village traffic management programme for 2004/05 and beyond.

9. A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme

9.1 A briefing on the A3 scheme has been arranged by the Highways Agency for local authority Members on Thursday, 27 February 2003 at Waverley Borough Council offices in Godalming. Members from East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Council, Surrey County Council and Waverley Borough Council have been invited. An additional meeting for East Hampshire District Council Members has been arranged for Thursday, 13 March 2003 at Penns Place, Petersfield.

9.2 The Highways Agency is refining the A3 traffic model as a result of the additional traffic surveys undertaken last year. Officers from East Hampshire District and Hampshire County Councils attended a meeting in December 2002 with the Highways Agency and its consultants, to be briefed on progress on updating the traffic model and the likely timescale involved in producing any new traffic forecasts. A further meeting is planned, when the implications and impact of revised figures will be explained by the consultants.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

7707/SC