Contact: Peter Syddall, ext 6050 email: peter.syddall@hants.gov.uk

1. Summary

1.1 This report focuses on the draft text being prepared for the Area Strategy sections of the provisional Local Transport Plan (LTP). Members are asked to consider the draft text included in the Appendix to this report and advise the Executive Members for Environment of any views on the content of the sections presented.

2. Background

2.1 The LTP will consist of a number of sections addressing a wide range of issues and topics, as required by Central Government advice. Item 5 on

this agenda presents a summary of the LTP vision and contents. There will be sections relating specifically to the Area Strategies. These will include:

(i) a description of the area and outlining key problems and issues;

(ii) a long term strategy; and

(iii) the short term (5 year) strategy.

2.2 These sections as currently drafted are included in the attached Appendix. It should be emphasised that the text should be seen as work in progress. Diagrams and tables have yet to be included in some sections, statistics may be updated and the wording subject to further editing. Members are asked for any comments they may wish to make at this time which will assist in finalising the LTP.

Recommendation

Members are asked to advise the Executive Members for Environment of any views on the Area Strategy section of the LTP as presented in the Appendix to this report.

Appendix

Local Transport Plan

Draft text for Central Hampshire Transport Strategy Area

Description

The Central Hampshire Transport Strategy area (CHTS) covers a predominantly rural area, that includes the larger urban areas of Andover and Winchester and the other main settlements of Alton, Whitehill/Bordon and Petersfield. It includes parts of the districts of Test Valley, Winchester, East Hampshire and Basingstoke and Deane as shown on plan X. The population distribution is shown in table 1.

Table 1. Population (source 2001 census)

The CHTS area contains the East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB), the Forest of Bere, the North Downs AONB and the proposed South Downs National Park (it is proposed that this would replace the East Hampshire AONB, but this is subject to a decision to confirm the National Park by the Secretary of State).

Andover is a town with a relatively high degree of self containment (around 70% of employed residents live and work in the town). It provides employment, services and facilities for the surrounding rural area. It has the benefit of a largely modern road network, including a high capacity ring road and a railway station providing connections to London Waterloo and Exeter/Plymouth.

Winchester is the historic, county town of Hampshire. The central area is characterised by narrow ancient streets and the consequential impact of modern day traffic volumes. Travel patterns are strongly influenced by the proximity of, and strategic road connections to, the Solent urban area and a rail station providing fast services to London Waterloo, plus services to the Solent area (and Weymouth).

Alton and Petersfield provide employment opportunities, facilities and services for the local communities. Petersfield experiences a significant degree of out commuting (some 69% of Petersfield's working population commute out of town),

in part due to good strategic road and rail connections (8% use the train). The Ministry of Defence is currently examining options to release land at Bordon for non military uses. This could provide the opportunity for significant development in the Whitehill/Bordon area and to improve the degree of self containment of this settlement.

The National Primary Road Network within the CHTS area comprises the M3, A34(T), A303(T), A3(T) and A31(T). Railway routes through the CHTS area provide connections to the Solent area, and destinations towards London, Weymouth, the South West and the Midlands. These transport routes are shown on plan X

Problems and Issues

The problems and issues facing the CHTS area can be broadly divided into those affecting the urban areas and those affecting the remaining rural area.

Car use in Andover is relatively high (some 65% of residents travel to work in the town by car, 5% by bus), considering the high number of people that live and work in the town. With the town's road network likely to operate satisfactorily over the life time of this LTP there is unlikely to be strong incentives in the short term for a major shift in how people travel. However construction of Major Development Areas will take place during the next five years, currently expected to provide around 2,450 new dwellings and associated facilities. Land is safeguarded for significant, further housing development beyond 2011. Infill and other development will provide another C dwellings. There are also extensions proposed to existing employment areas. In addition there is likely to be increasing pressure for further housing in Andover, in line with the emerging South East Plan. Development on this scale is likely to place the existing road network under increasing strain over the longer term.

The bus services within the Andover are predominantly operated on a commercial basis, but those serving the rural areas largely receive financial support from the county council. Several CANGO services operate within and to Andover. The bus station has limited capacity, particularly given that the MDAs will increase the need for additional bus bays.

The rail station is some distance from the town centre but has various bus connections to the town centre and good cycle parking facilities. Only around 2% of working residents use the rail services, reflecting the high level of self containment.

There is a good proportion of trips to work made on foot (20% of work trips within the town), but this is hampered by the car orientated nature of the town's transport network. There are missing links in the network which work against promoting walking. Cycle use (5% of work trips within the town) is also affected by missing links and lack of route signing.

The city of Winchester experiences the classic problems of an historic city centre: narrow streets and footways, with very limited room for increasing provision for any mode of road users, whilst trying to cope with the effects of current levels of traffic. Winchester experiences a net in commuting of work trips (around 60% in commuting).Air Quality and localised congestion problems result. An Air Quality Management Area has been declared for the city centre in response to the recorded levels of pollution. Most bus services within the city operate on a commercial basis, with promising increases in patronage in response to measures introduced through Quality Bus Partnerships. Interchange facilities at the rail station have been recently improved. In addition there has been a large extension to the existing Park and Ride site at St Catherine's, Bar End.

Infill development continues in the city. There is a reserve MDA housing site in north Winchester and the possibility of further development to meet the requirements of the South East Plan in the longer term. These will obviously increase the pressure on the transport network.

The M3 around and south of Winchester experiences heavy traffic flows. Accidents on the motorway can badly affect the surrounding local road network as traffic seeks alternative routes. The M3 junction 9 roundabout interchange with the A34 creates a serious bottleneck on this part of the strategic road network that connects the Solent area and the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth with the Midlands and beyond.

Within the other main settlements there are concerns about adequate provision for pedestrians and cyclists, access by public transport and the impact of traffic on communities. There are concerns about the impact of traffic on villages, including the speed of traffic and the routeing and control of goods vehicles. There are high levels of car ownership and usage, but areas of low accessibility to services and facilities for those without or unable to use a car. A loss in local services can increase isolation and create greater travel demands. Access to and parking at rail stations is also an issue.

The programmes for the CHTS area will need to take into account the accessibility needs of and traffic management issues for the rural areas, particularly in relation to the East Hampshire AONB (proposed to be replaced by the South Downs National Park, subject to a decision by the Secretary of State) and the North Downs AONB. Adequate access that does not adversely affect the rural environment is essential in maintaining the tourist economy, protecting jobs and facilities in these areas. Avoiding signage clutter has to be carefully balanced against safety considerations.

Opportunities

Andover currently has a transport network that generally operates satisfactorily with minimal congestion problems. This is likely to change over time as the MDAs and in the longer term, the South East Plan, are implemented. There is the opportunity over the next five years, supported by funding from development to improve travel choices in preparation for these increasing demands. A high proportion of trips to work are on foot. Accessibility by walking and cycling can be enhanced to reduce the need to travel by car. Improved small scale facilities such as puffin crossings and dropped kerbs are particularly important to those with disabilities and mobility handicaps. Partnership working, for example through Quality Bus Partnerships, can promote travel by public transport. Improved information, utilising new technology can help improve the attractiveness of public transport.

The nature of Winchester City's road network serves to constrain car use (40% of residents travel by car to work - one of the lowest proportions in Hampshire). Traffic flows on the radial routes into the city have remained similar over the last five years. A high proportion of people also walk to work (31%). Advantage should be taken of this propensity to walk to reduce the perceived need to travel by car. High levels of walking provide the levels of activity that contribute towards reducing the fear of crime. A lower proportion cycle (3%). Increased public transport provision and greater accessibility, particularly by walking, can contribute positively to reducing the impact of traffic and associated air quality problems. Approximately 30% of all in commuting is from the Solent area, emphasising the potential to accommodate this concentrated movement through improved public transport, particularly by rail and Park and Ride. Clearly air quality and localised congestion problems in the city cannot be addressed through road building and hence these problems will be tackled by a wide range of measures that reduce the need to travel, make the best use of the existing infrastructure and promote alternatives to the car.

Travel demands within rural areas can be eased through the retention or improvement of local facilities and services. The Hampshire Rural Pathfinder programme promotes such initiatives. Improved access to rail stations in smaller settlements and rural locations can assist in promoting reduced travel into towns by car. Access to the countryside generally will help to promote healthy lifestyles with appropriate attention to the needs and safety of particular rural groups such as horseriders and walkers. Specifically the CHTS programme will be integrated with the development of Rights of Way improvement planning (ROWIP).

Long Term Strategy

Town Centres and access plans

Masterplans for the main settlements will identify overall strategies aimed at reducing the need to travel, managing travel needs and investing in measures to meet the future requirements of these communities.

Crucial to the development of sustainable travel movements within town or city centres and minimising the impact of traffic is the ability to move around effectively on foot and bicycle. Within the settlements of the CHTS area, community accessibility audits will be undertaken to identify measures that will improve access by these modes. This approach will contribute to a longer term vision of reducing traffic growth and the introduction of demand restraint measures.

Winchester City

The long term aims for Winchester are to: reduce the need to travel; reduce the volume of traffic travelling into the central area; reduce the current air quality and localised congestion problems; improve the environment and safety for pedestrians and cyclists; and increase the efficiency and attractiveness of public transport. These measures will have to be consistent with protecting the vitality and commercial viability of the city.

A key component of this long term aim is the completion of the Park and Ride Strategy for Winchester. This will be closely associated with measures to assist bus movements and a car parking strategy that relocates parking from the centre to park and ride sites.

An AQMA has been declared in the city centre and an AQAP produced. Traffic contributes significantly to this problem. The reduction of traffic flows in the centre by a combination of Park and Ride, bus priority measures, possible traffic circulation changes, improved driver information, the promotion of cleaner vehicles and reductions in parking provision will be a major element in tackling the priority issue of air quality.

Andover

A key long term aim for Andover will be to maintain and enhance the transport network and systems so that they are fit to meet the challenges created by future, large scale development in the town. The traffic demands of the existing community will continue to grow and new development will add to that demand. The town is well provided for in terms of highway infrastructure, with only limited and localised congestion at peak periods. However this network will come under greater pressure in the longer term, with the prospect of more widespread congestion. It will be important to improve travel choices and improve accessibility by all travel modes to services and facilities. Effective travel information will play an increasing role in more effective use of the transport network and providing travel choices.

The longer term strategy for Andover should build on the high degree of self containment that it currently enjoys. Housing development must be matched by appropriate provision of employment, shopping, leisure and community land uses. The transport network should positively contribute to the perceived benefits of living and working in the town through easier access by walking, cycling and public transport.

The relative high quality road network in Andover is a valuable asset that should be safeguarded for the long term through the utilisation of intelligent transport systems, travel information and traffic management methods.

Petersfield, Alton and Whitehill/Bordon

A priority for these settlements is to provide improved accessibility to key services and facilities. A sustainable mix of development is needed to help reduce travel demands and journey lengths. Core networks, well maintained and continuous , for walking and cycling will contribute to these aims. In order to help protect the environment and promote other forms of travel the impact of vehicles, traffic speeds and road safety all need to be tackled.

Where development occurs, the appropriate infrastructure should promote travel choice and where possible enhance the transport provision for the existing communities. Whitehill/Bordon is an area where significant development may occur. This will bring with it the opportunity for a more sustainable community in the long term, enabling improved local facilities, a more solid employment base and enhanced transport infrastructure.

Rural Areas

In considering the priorities for the rural areas and smaller settlements it is recognised that the car will remain the dominant mode of transport. However this creates problems in terms of the impact on the environment and the degree of isolation it can create for those without access to a car. A key long term aim will be to manage this demand with the need to protect the environment and to seek to improve accessibility for all.

The traffic impacts on rural communities that will need to be addressed are generally well known - for example, traffic speeds; the routeing of traffic including goods vehicles; safety issues including the effect on travelling to school; inhibiting walking and cycling; and signing with its impact on the environment.

Public transport provision will have to be tailored to suit the particular and generally low demand in rural areas. Overcoming the accessibility issues for the young and old and those without access to a car is a priority. Increasing use will have to be made of demand responsive services, community schemes and for example shared taxi schemes. Improved access for all modes to rail stations will also help accessibility in rural areas and to a degree, reduce traffic inflow into larger settlements.

Transport is only part of the picture in meeting the needs of rural communities. Improved accessibility to services will rely on initiatives to preserve and enhance these facilities, such as through the current Rural Pathfinder Project.

Recreational access to the countryside is important to all of us. It is important in terms of health and general well being. Catering for and managing that demand will be a significant issue for the future of the CHTS area, as the proposed South Downs National Park is established.

5 Year Strategy

Rural Access

Within the rural area and towns the priorities are seen as:

· Promoting local facilities to reduce the need to travel, for example through the Rural Pathfinder initiative;

· Improving access on foot and by cycle to local facilities;

· Managing traffic, including traffic routeing, speed controls and safety improvements; and

· Promoting and enabling public transport tailored to local needs, assisted by infrastructure improvements, access strategies for rail stations and information provision.

Andover

The five year strategy for Andover focuses principally on accessibility improvements. Improving access to key facilities and activities is central to this approach. This is to be achieved by

· providing improvements to pedestrian and cycle routes, producing complete routes and overcoming severance and ensuring adequate maintenance of these routes;

· enlarging the existing bus station and promoting bus usage through Quality Bus Partnerships, infrastructure improvements and better travel information, including Real Time Information at bus stops and other locations;

· addressing safety issues through continuing programmes of engineering measures coupled with education, training publicity and awareness;

· comprehensive transport provision in association with new major development, minimising travel demands and creating travel choices; and

· the development of travel plans for all major developments.

Major development areas will provide the opportunity to enhance the bus network in Andover, including improved links and interchange with the rail station and in addition address localised congestion issues.

Winchester City

The strategy for Winchester focuses on the following priorities:

· Improving accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists;

· Contributing to improvements in air quality through reducing the impact of traffic, promoting alternative modes and cleaner vehicles;

· Further developing the existing Park and Ride strategy, together with associated priority measures for buses, traffic management measures and relocation of long stay parking from the city centre to park and ride sites. The next park and ride site is proposed for the south Winchester area;

· More quality bus partnerships on key bus routes;

· Further improvements to interchange provision between bus and rail services;

· Raising travel awareness and promoting effective marketing campaigns;

· promoting car sharing and car club initiatives;

· Optimising the use of the road network through intelligent transport systems, including variable message signing, and traffic management measures;

· addressing safety issues through continuing programmes of engineering measures coupled with education, training publicity and awareness;

· comprehensive transport provision in association with new major development, minimising travel demands and creating travel choices; and

· the development of travel plans for all major developments.

Winchester experiences some localised congestion during peak periods. These congestion effects will be dealt with through a range of measures encompassed by the above set of measures. They seek to reduce travel demand and journey length, promote travel choice and the use of alternatives to the car and the optimum use of the existing road network assets.

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