Hampshire County Council

Executive Member-Environment

10 February 2004

Project Appraisal: Bournemouth Road, Chandlers Ford - Proposed Puffin Crossing

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 5

Contact: Peter Rayment, ext 6894 email: pete.rayment@hants.gov.uk

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aims 2 and 4 of the Corporate Strategy (Stewardship of the environment and Building strong and safe communities) by providing a safer place for pedestrians to cross the busy Bournemouth Road.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 A Zebra crossing was considered but due to the speed of traffic was regarded as unacceptable.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER-ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

_____________________________________________

10 FEBRUARY 2004

_____________________________________________

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PROJECT:

BOURNEMOUTH ROAD, CHANDLERS FORD - PROPOSED PUFFIN CROSSING

__________________________________________________________________

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

APRIL 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

MAY 2004

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2004/05

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7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

Development funding in the form of a Section 106 Agreement has been obtained from B&Q's Cando House development and is specifically for improvement of pedestrian facilities in the area (see attached location plan). The development will add to the existing pedestrian flow between Hampshire Corporate Park to the west of Bournemouth Road and ASDA Hypermarket to the east.

7.2

Details

There is an existing pedestrian route from Hampshire Corporate Park to ASDA Hypermarket. There are also bus stops on either side of Bournemouth Road at this location. It will be necessary to move the bus stop on the ASDA side by 20 metres but the existing bus shelter need not be relocated. A pedestrian and traffic survey at this location gave a PV² value of 1.92 x 108, which is above the level where a controlled crossing is justified.

There is a 40 mph speed limit on Bournemouth Road and speed checks at the site have shown that the 85%ile speed of south-bound traffic is 38 mph and that of north-bound traffic 43 mph. In view of the site conditions, it is considered that a signalled controlled Puffin crossing is appropriate at this location.

7.3

Standards

The Puffin crossing has been designed to national and county standards. The design will be safety audited.

7.4

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

A 28 day public notice giving details of the crossing was posted at the proposed location on 28 October 2003; no comments have been received.

The proposal has the support of Chandlers Ford Commuter Forum and Eastleigh Borough Council.

7.5

Policy Considerations

The proposed crossing is consistent with the aims of the local transport strategy.

7.6

Environmental Impacts

There is no significant environmental impact from this proposal.

7.7

Land Requirement

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

7.8

Alternative Arrangements

A Zebra crossing was considered but traffic speeds make a signalled controlled crossing the more appropriate option. A Toucan crossing is not an option as there are no cycle tracks in the vicinity of the proposed site. However the Puffin crossing equipment is capable of conversion to a Toucan crossing should the need arise. To do nothing would not improve the safety of pedestrians crossing at this location.

7.9

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Luffman, supports the proposal.

7.10

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

7.11

Sustainability

The provision of a Puffin crossing will improve the conditions for pedestrians and vulnerable highway users in this part of Chandlers Ford. It will also help the development of effective work-based travel plans in the area.

8.

Financial Arrangements

This scheme is being funded from a developer contribution of £125,000 from the B&Q development at Cando House. A total of £49,000 will remain to fund other cycle and pedestrian improvements in the vicinity.

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

11.4

Developer Funding

76.0

Supervision

2.6

Capital Programme

nil

Project Works

62.0

District Funding

nil

Land

nil

____

____

Total

76.0

Total

76.0

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

  

% Variation to Committee's budget

           
 

Net increase in

current expenditure

1.9

    

0.002

 

Capital Charge

7.0

    

0.008

   

____

    

____

 

Total Expenditure

8.9

    

0.010

   

____

    

____

           

8.3

Maintenance Implications

There will be minimal revenue implications of this proposal and they will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

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

Puffin Crossing - Bournemouth Road, Chandlers Ford - P794

Environment Department

Intelligent Transport Systems Group

Monument House

8486/PJR