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

1. Summary

1.1 Government guidance on preparing the next Local Transport Plan (LTP) requires consultation with stakeholders as an integral part of the LTP process. The County Council sees consultation and engagement with stakeholders as vital to the preparation of a successful LTP. Consultation seminars and workshops have been held as one part of the process. These consultations have provided valuable information about stakeholders concerns, priorities for their area and an indication of some possible solutions. This report presents information on the outputs from the seminars and workshops, a summary of the emerging key themes and how these outputs are influencing the development of the area strategies and programmes.

2. Introduction

2.1 Hampshire County Council officers have already collected a considerable amount of information about local problems and opportunities through ongoing dialogue with District Councils, Local Strategic Partnerships and other local stakeholders. This has been complemented with a series of seminars and workshops which focused on problem identification.

3. The Consultation Process

3.1 The following key consultation events have been held during early 2005:

(i) Local Transport Plan Stakeholders Seminar;

(ii) Local Transport Plan Business Seminar; and

(iii) Transport Strategy Panel Workshops.

4. Local Transport Plan Stakeholders Seminar

4.1 The LTP Stakeholders Seminar, held on 18 March 2005 at the Guildhall, Winchester involved delegates representing a wide variety of groups including transport operators and providers, user groups, representatives from disability groups and Hampshire's Youth Parliament. County Council officers provided updates on the LTP preparation process. One workshop session focussed on the area strategies and the second workshop was based on key themes. The summary of issues raised at the Stakeholder Seminar are included in Appendix 1 to this report.

5. Local Transport Plan Business Seminar

5.1 The Hampshire Economic Partnership event held on 9 February 2005 involved key business stakeholders with an interest in transport related issues. After a series of presentations on the LTP these stakeholders were divided into a number of `task groups' which were challenged with answering key questions in relation to transport issues. The summary of issues raised at the stakeholder seminar are included in Appendix 2 to this report.

6. Transport Strategy Panel Workshop

6.1 The Central Hampshire Transport Strategy (CHTS) Panel met on 1 March 2005 with the main part of the meeting given over to the workshop session. A full list of the comments from the Panel is set out at Appendix 3.

6.2 From the workshop, a number of key themes have been identified that reflect the concerns and priorities of Panel Members. The key themes for CHTS and how they will be reflected in the next LTP and five year programme are identified below.

7. Key Themes

Key Theme 1 - Town Centre Accessibility

7.1 In central Hampshire specific concerns raised included: missing and incomplete cycle and pedestrian links; the need for improved town centre direction signing, and improved motorway signing for the existing Winchester Park and Ride sites. Reference was made to the need for the next Park and Ride site for Winchester. Comments on bus and rail provision included the need for more new low-floor buses, co-ordinated bus and rail timetables, provision for disabled access and improved station parking for cars and cycles. The need for more community street audits in the town centres, as carried out in Alton, was also highlighted.

7.2 This theme is closely aligned with one of Central Government's shared priorities - accessibility . It is proposed that the next LTP will include programmes relating to town centre street audits and accessibility, the development of `masterplans' for larger urban areas, improved access to rail and bus stations and the progression of the Park and Ride strategy for Winchester. The specific issue of signing for the existing Park and Ride sites has been taken up with the Highways Agency and a response is awaited.

Key Theme 2 - Rural Accessibility

7.3 Within the CHTS rural areas the issues raised were both the volume and speed of traffic through villages including `commuter rat-runs'. The routeing of HGVs was also seen as a problem with the A3057 mentioned specifically. There was a need to provide public transport suited to the requirements of rural communities, e.g. more demand responsive type solutions. Increased parking at rural railway stations and improved access and parking provision for car and cycles were also highlighted. More general issues raised were sign clutter both in the villages and on rural roads and the need for improved maintenance of footpaths and verges.

7.4 It is hoped to continue with the current programme of `village initiatives' in the next LTP which would help address the issues raised about traffic in settlements. Emphasis will be placed on more demand responsive public transport in rural areas. Improved parking and access to stations will be subject to consultation with train operators and it is proposed to allocate funding to improving key interchanges. It is recognised that there needs to be a balance between formal signing requirements and the impact on rural areas.

Key Theme 3 - Congestion

7.5 Congestion is not a major issue across central Hampshire however there are localised congestion problems. In Winchester, there are slow moving traffic queues on parts of the city centre one way system and the radial routes into the city during peak periods. The traffic conditions in the city centre contribute to air quality problems. It was suggested that there was a need for a review of the circulation of traffic within the city centre in addition to the development of the next Park and Ride site.

7.6 As part of developing an overall transport plan, including Park and Ride, the County and City Councils propose to investigate the potential for traffic circulation options in and around Winchester city centre.

Key Theme 4 - Safety

7.7 Issues of safety for pedestrians and cyclists were raised. It was felt that there were cases of inadequate provision of safe crossing places on major roads and poor or unfinished cycle routes. More specifically there was a need for pedestrian crossings or refuges in the rural towns and villages as well as some new or improved street lighting. Petersfield was given as an example that had pockets of poor street lighting. Pedestrian safety at school gates was also a concern together with the need for more safe and convenient routes to school.

7.8 Within the county-wide Safer Routes to School and Pedestrian Crossing Programmes specific safety concerns can be addressed. Street lighting issues can be addressed through the maintenance programme. It is intended to tackle missing or incomplete routes under the heading of accessibility.

Key Theme 5 - Air Quality

7.9 This issue was raised specifically in relation to the Winchester Air Quality Management Area. Particular trouble spots in Winchester include St Georges Street with the problem related to queuing traffic. More Park and Ride sites in Winchester were seen as a priority to address both air quality and localised congestion issues.

7.10 Air Quality issues will be addressed through the Air Quality Management Plan and the development of an overall transport plan.

Key Theme 6 - Land Use Policies

7.11 The wider context of land use policies was raised as an important issue. Location of employment sites and residential areas can have an adverse affect on accessibility and congestion, as can a lack of local facilities. Substantial new housing areas will be provided through Major Development Areas (MDAs). Within CHTS the proposed MDAs in Andover will take place during the next five years. There is also a reserve MDA site north of Winchester which may be required to meet future housing requirements. These developments are likely to place the existing transport network under increasing strain over the longer term. It was suggested that there was a clear need to build the necessary transport infrastructure in time to meet the travel needs of these developments and ameliorate their impact.

7.12 The transport infrastructure for MDAs are being identified through the preparation by developers of Transport Assessments (TAs) that include an agreed phasing of the provision of infrastructure. The TAs provide the input to legal agreements considered at the time of submission of planning applications.

8. Conclusion

8.1 The seminars and workshops have provided a valuable input into identifying the key themes for the next LTP and the development of the capital programme. Members are asked to note the key themes and the comments made at the Panel workshop and seminars, as listed in the Appendices. Members are invited to comment further if they wish.

Recommendation

That the Panel note the key themes and comments as set out in the report and accompanying Appendices.

334/PS

Appendix 1

Hampshire Local Transport Plan

Stakeholders Seminar

18 March 2005 Guildhall, Winchester

SUMMARY OF FEEDBACK FROM WORKSHOP SESSIONS

Two workshops took place during the Stakeholders Seminar held on 18 March 2005. The first looked at local area issues and the second focused on key themes. This note summarises the issues raised during each of these sessions.

AREA BASED WORKSHOPS

Workshop 1: North and Central Hampshire - Summary of Issues Raised

General Topics raised

· Affordable transport for young people

· Cross border issues with surrounding areas

Rural issues

· Wider environmental issues, such as street clutter

· Impacts of signs designed for urban use in rural areas- visual impact

· Need for lower speed limits in rural areas - often not adopted

· Long bus journeys from outer areas into urban centres (i.e. elongated journeys to take in lots of areas)

· Needs of rural businesses - freight deliveries etc must be taken into account in terms of traffic management. Traffic calming can prevent deliveries

· Large agricultural vehicles damaging lanes, hedges etc

· Issue of cycling on lanes - all schemes should consider the needs of cyclists and pedestrians

· Roads are too dangerous for cyclists - instead look to house them on wider pavements

· Make roads more comfortable for non-car users - behavioural change issues

· Speed limits on minor roads - national issue

· How can rural transport be made affordable?

· Bring services to the community - through the LTP and other means

· But at the same time, Post Offices are closing

· Greater need for the community to be involved in informing the LTP of what needs to be covered

· More communication from HCC on rural issues - consult with LSP

Consideration for children and young people

o Children excluded from after school activities as there are no buses

o Safe cycle/pedestrian links from outlying areas into the urban centres

o Use of CCTV to make routes safer

· Through ticketing from rural areas to urban areas

· Access to train stations - longer platforms at rural stations

Urban Issues

· Air quality

· The issues for north east Hampshire are different from those for Basingstoke

· Impact on north east Hampshire of the Aldershot urban extension with 10,000 extra people

· Rushmoor has close links with Surrey/Berkshire - strategies need to overlap

· M3 -air quality management area

· Travel for young people in urban areas

· Need to link LTP policies with urban extensions

· Also going to be 1200 extra houses in Hart

· Highways Agency has no immediate plans to improve the M3

· A33 Basingstoke to Reading is a major artery

· Rail is at capacity - interchange upgrades are needed (Farnborough), trains overloaded

· Long distance commuting, identified some reasons why:

o Short term contract working means workers unlikely to move closer

o Cars and motorways work

o Large companies close small offices and centralise

o Cost of housing and quality of life

· Central and local government need to introduce policies to encourage people to live and work locally - tax breaks etc

· Attitude of local authorities towards rail passengers - i.e. someone else's problem once they are on the train

· Better integration of information - i.e. train times in villages

· Train time information in bus stops (RTI)

· Freight - distribution issues/use of local produce

· Access for disabled - especially at rail stations (Farnborough)

Workshop 2: Solent Area - Summary of Issues Raised

Key traffic hotspots in Hampshire:

· M27 (Eastleigh to Hedge End)

· North Portsmouth

· Eastleigh - Fareham railway

· Traffic congestion in Portsmouth & Southampton City Centres

Solent Travel to Work by Ward: Bus

Consideration of bus services in cities

Importance of transport hubs: Southampton & Portsmouth

Commuting

+20% commute trips from north of Portsmouth and Fareham to Portsmouth City Centre

+20%: Totton & Waterside/Romsey & Eastleigh/Hedge End commute trips to So'ton City Centre

+10% Whiteley (only) to both Portsmouth & Southampton

Solent Transport requirements

· Develop shared priorities

· Identify existing issues

· Build upon successes

· Anticipate future pressures

Port of Southampton

Development pressures

Significant growth in a global shipping market

Largest employer in South Hampshire

Freight handling: expected to grow by +60/70% in next ten years

Road: improved routes to port through city

Rail gauge enhancement (constraints of Southampton Tunnel and others along the route) - Government being lobbied for decision

Journey to work issues:

Local deficiencies in PT network

LRT would facilitate extension westwards to Southampton

Southampton's access is too geographically constrained

Alternatives to M27 as a commuter route required

Whiteley (off Jct.9 of M27)

Poor accessibility (explore alternatives)

Employers struggling with access issues (may affect productivity)

Safety aspects of queuing traffic onto M27 at Jct.9

Social exclusion issues in Fareham/Gosport

Local residents priced out of PT

Govt. should listen to them

Bus reliability in Eastleigh

Improve accessibility to local bus services and reliability of local services

24/7 bus services required in South Hampshire

Public transport in Hampshire

70% are commercially provided bus services

Partnership working with local transport operators(28 million PT trips in Hants pa).

Long term vision for Solent Transport required

Need to determine future priorities

Development of cycle networks

Pedestrians - improved pedestrian routes

Cost of car ownership

Journey to work issues (cost of PT vs. private car). Car ownership is too affordable (cost plateau against rising PT costs)

Developing a Solent Strategy:

HCC to be proactive in PT - joined up thinking with PT operators

Identify commuter routes - increase water transport (e.g. water taxis) across Southampton Water. ABP argue logistical difficulties in running such a service

New developments in Southampton -

· West Quay Phase 3

· Ocean Village redevelopment

· Vosper's regeneration

Idea suggested for a ferry service linking these waterside sites ( to be investigated through Solent Transport Partnership)

Importance of cycling - inter-modal links ("quick wins")

Housing development (three housing options proposed by SEERA in draft SE Regional Plan)

Consideration of health impacts, travel planning opportunities at new developments

Baseline requirement for a robust PT network to service and link new developments across South Hampshire - straw poll: about 50% of seminar group attendees travelled to event by PT

Planning restrictions - currently slow-down process for securing new investment

Public education/promotion of transport alternatives and dependency on the private car

Railways - improving access to PT interchanges by `Access Plans for stations'

Parking capacity management

Too many spaces are free to users!

Consider workplace parking charging (follow example of Nottingham) - impact of charging (consider alternatives: such as car sharing)

Parking charging for LTP2 is considered in respect of:

· Is there an established political will for implementation?

· What will the public reaction be to this proposal?

· Can employers/private sector businesses take the initiative and develop this idea? Would they be opposed to it?

Group suggested developing such features at Whiteley - Park & Ride facility could be developed around the office park?

Workshop3: New Forest - Summary of Issues Raised

Key Issues

· National Park status

· Tourism pressures

· Strategic Cycle Network

· Through-traffic, including HGVs

· Animal accidents

· Lyndhurst Air Quality Management Area (AQMA)

National park status

· Pressure on strategic roads

· Will there be a separate authority?

· Joint cross-boundary issues

· Look at other National Park examples

· Are towns appropriate for coaches?

· Availability of coach parking

· Travel plans for tourist attractions

· Pedestrian links from car parks to town centres

· Deliveries - safety issues. Loading bays blocked by parked cars

· Parking enforcement issues

· Signage - particular reference to getting traffic off M27 at Junction 2

· Variable message signing?

· Aesthetic issues re. signing

Social issues

· Elderly population - especially New Milton and Lymington

· Pockets of deprivation in North-West e.g. Calshot

· Isolated rural parishes

Road Safety

· Road safety - HCC has been successful overall but there are still major issue in the New Forest

· Road casualties - A338, A337, A326

· Child safety in cars - mainly local traffic on school-run

· Perceptions of safety i.e. you are statistically in more danger in a car

Public transport

· Solent Blue Line is more generous with concessionary fares than Wiltshire and Dorset Bus

· Rail capacity to London

· Look into informal Park and Ride?

· Station car parking

· Volunteer shortage for community transport

Traffic

· HGVs - cross border/joint working essential

· Strategic road network reaching capacity

· Highways Agency policy is to remove local traffic from strategic network, but A31 is a main route for locals

· Rural centres dominated by traffic

· Dorset CC have problems, perceived by some as resulting from some HCC issues/policies

· A337 low bridge north of Lymington.

· Traffic management in Lyndhurst, includes impacts of HGVs coming into Lymington

· High levels of traffic on B3347

Parking

· Unmet parking demand

· Pressures in Ringwood (P&R)

· Commuters parking on verges and catching train onwards

· Lack of tourist provision in Lyndhurst

· Low provision of parking at Totton station

· Tourists move around the park by car and use different car parks as bases

General

· Need for cross-boundary working with Wiltshire and Dorset County Councils

· Joint officer dialogue should be a high priority

· New Milton town centre study needs reviewing

· General quality of network - lack of pavements

Cycling

· Lack of linked cycle routes

Solutions

· General safety audit/strategy - look at accident statistics

· Comprehensive safety strategy - speed cameras, school travel plans

· Joint working re. HGVs etc.

THEME BASED WORKSHOPS

Workshop 1: ITS, Congestion and Modelling, Traffic Management Act, Asset Management Plans - Summary of Issues Raised.

Q. Is the strategic model purely road based?

No, it is multi-modal

Q. How will the model contribute to the land use policies contained in the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)?

The model will help to determine location of various land uses

Q. Will the model be a broader based assessment?

The model will look to make the best use of the network and highlight new infrastructure requirements

Q. Will the model be ready in time to inform the RSS?

There is a concern about this

Q. What level of detail does the model go into?

It is a strategic level plan

Could link the model into the new requirements of the Traffic Management Act.

Q. Will the model include cycling?

The model will look at all modes, although the majority of cycling is likely to be local rather than strategic

Basingstoke, Solent and Blackwater Valley are covered by separate strategic models.

Q. What can ITS do to improve the reliability of the network?

This is an objective of the LTP, but there are many ways of contributing to this

Issue raised of the freight Working Time Directive and the impact this will have on working practices of hauliers

Q. Is there a tactical system in place that can manage traffic after a road accident?

No, but as technology develops there will be scope to more effectively monitor the network, and enable smarter modelling. There are also pre-set strategies to provide traffic information after an accident

Q. What use is being made of number plate recognition technology to monitor journey times?

This technology is operating in Winchester, and enables us to provide information on journey times and origin and destination movements

Q. Has the Department for Transport supplied congestion monitoring information?

No - currently using historical data, although do have a Service Level Agreement with ITIS who supply journey time information

Q. Have you considered using similar systems as those used to manage motorways (i.e. reduce speed limits etc)?

Would be very difficult to do in the urban environment

Workshop2: Passenger Transport, Smarter Choices and Road Safety

Issues

Passenger Transport

_ More public consultation when changing times, fares etc.

_ Number of elderly is set to double over next 10 years so high need for public transport

_ Need for more staff at train stations to help disabled e.g. elderly, blind

_ Security and safety issues on buses and trains and at interchanges

_ Reliability

_ Facilities at public transport stations for disabled e.g. blind, deaf for announcements etc.

_ Improvements to interchanges

_ After-school transport does not enable full use of activities

_ Must not forget air and ferry

_ Yellow buses need to be kept in mind

Smarter Choices

_ Need to publicise services

_ Put money into training - car drivers, cyclists, pedestrians

_ Change in culture

_ Address habitual car-dependence

_ National campaign i.e. like the drink driving campaign

_ School travel plans

_ There are 170,000 children with Hants LEA - significant group

Road safety

_ Need for road safety training

_ Busy roads - need for off-carriageway cycle paths, widened pavements

_ Eye testing as well as breath tests

_ Using greens/shared use for cyclists - issues re. safety, elderly and disabled

General

_ Partnership working

_ Difficult for a strategic document (LTP) to tackle local issues

_ Administrative boundary issues, both internal and external

_ Planning policy constraints - lengthy timescales

_ NHS are thinking about transport issues but need help

_ Transfer of capital funding for maintenance to free-up revenue

_ Need to look at other sources of funding across departments

_ Use of developer contributions and raise awareness internally that funds exist

Solutions

_ Guidance should come from the County Council to act as `champion' and work jointly with SWT and Stagecoach, Network Rail, SRA, and other bus operators in the County

_ Be positive and build on good work

Workshop 3: Accessibility and Environment

Issues

· Environment assessment/framework

· What is the accessibility strategy?

· Access to health facilities

· Air Quality Action Plans

· Noise & transport

· Rural issues: landscape; maintenance of unmetalled roads; bridleway issues

· Accessibility

Accessibility

Defining accessibility

Inter-related issues: socio-economic/demographics

Key measures:

Education

Employment

Health Care

Food

Key dates

29/07/05: draft report submission date to DfT/GOSE

31/03/06: final Accessibility Strategy

Accessibility framework (DfT Guidance)

Statement in guidance

Objective: detailed input from consultation

Analytical and objective assessment: what are the accessibility issues?

Rural transport: low patronage/poor economics

Develop innovative demand responsive buses (e.g. CANGO)

Utilise technology for new PT services

Combined community transport network (flexibility and convenience) & operational efficiency

Rural accessibility

Tourism: do they match up with demand routes?

(i.e. are new developments & attractions situated in the right location?

Time-urgency/dependency on public services

Restricting car access

Building links: partnerships with public service providers

Policy integration required between policy makes and service providers

Choices: public services and how we access them (PT vs. car)

Centralisation of services would create an improved level of transport efficiency?

Social exclusion & access to health care

Optimism on improving access? (health provision requirement)

Fact: 40% of appointments missed due to PT problems

Guidance established -can we affect change?

ACCESSION Software: Which data sets do we use to get the answers to the accessibility issue question? It is important to use the correct data sets (utilise DfT controlled information).In summary: Need to ask the right questions to get the right results!

Rural issues more generally

New Forest: reduce parking in villages (consider environmental impact)

Rural economy:

Definitions?

Diversification of farming

Travel to work issues

Sustainable tourism important

Information provision (e.g.: PT)

Age/social barriers

Rural population: cost of IT infrastructure

We shouldn't wholly rely on technology

Education & awareness

Social interaction important: single vs. group travel

Summary: packaged approach to rural accessibility issues & IT provision

Environmental issues:

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

Comprehensive issues-based approach and objectives

Transparent process: informs LTP

Scoping report to be published

Inform decision-making

Tackles underlying sustainability issues

Summary: wider environmental aspects considered

How does SEA impact on scheme development?

Influences decision-making process (objective forming)

Integral to planning

SEA is part of a sustainability appraisal

Air Quality

Approach - shared priority (targets need to meet local needs)

LTP objective - joint approach

Partnerships with Districts

Air Quality Management Areas (5x in Hampshire)

Improving air quality requires tackling traffic congestion

How can we do this? (in an environmentally sustainable approach)

Investment in measures. Indicators must be measurable.

The example of economic growth in Winchester: balanced with environmental needs of this historic environment.

Noise

Look at smaller/quieter and increased environmentally-friendly vehicles

Public education

Parking concessions for different vehicle types

Quieter road surfaces (especially in rural areas)

Light pollution/signage

Rural areas: appropriate to locality

General

An all encompassing environmental strategy is key to LTP 2.

Appendix 2

HEP Transportation and Logistics Task Group

`Driving Transport Solutions 2' Conference

9 February 2005

Summary of Task Group Exercise

The Hampshire Economic Partnership event held on 9 February 2005 involved key stakeholders with an interest in transport related issues. After a series of presentations these stakeholders were divided into a number of `task groups' which were challenged with answering four key questions in relation to transport issues;

_ What are the key problems?

_ What solutions should be put in place?

_ What should be the priorities for action?

_ How an economic growth strategy could help resolve transport problems?

This note summarises the outcomes of the task group exercise. A series of problems and solutions were noted and emerging priorities were identified. There was some synergy between problems, solutions and priorities however overall there were a wide range of suggestions which reflects the diversity of stakeholder interests.

Transport problems

An assessment of the feedback from the day indicates a consistent view that high levels of congestion, lack of past investment, poor accessibility and limited integration of transport at all levels have contributed to current transport and travel problems. The failure to properly integrate land use and transport planning was also identified as contributing to the problem while current levels of travel awareness and lack of good quality information for the travelling public was also a commonly held concern. Finally, the provision of adequate facilities to encourage use of alternatives to the car, particularly cycling and walking, also featured as a lower order issue.

Transport solutions

While congestion appeared as a key problem, it was not specifically singled out as a key priority. Instead, the following practical solutions were put forward as priorities for action:

· Information and marketing

- Workplace travel plans

- Timetables

- Journey Planning

- Marketing Strategies

· Minimising the need to travel

- flexible working hours

- tele and video conferencing

- working remotely/from home

· Integrated transport

- Integrated ticketing

- Interchanges

- Integration between government, local authorities and stakeholders

· Integration of land use and transport planning

- Planning growth with transport in mind

- Capture of land value from land/transport planning for investment in strategic transport improvements

- Parking standards

- Developer contributions

· Park and ride

· Engaging with businesses (clusters)

· Road user charging

Summary - How might this influence the development of LTP 2

The range of problems identified is familiar to many of us while the proposed solutions are more surprising. The notable issue is that the priorities for action put forward are focused not so much on capital investment but more on a combination of capital and revenue funded initiatives and structural/organisational change. There is also recognition that the business community can, through alternative ways of working, minimise the need to travel and hence reduce the impact of business travel.

The implications therefore for the second Local Transport Plan are interesting. There is a very clear desire to see `soft policy' or `smarter choice' options (such as information, marketing and business travel planning advice) featuring more highly than in the past. This however presents a challenge in putting the resources in place to deliver this activity which traditionally would not be funded from LTP sources. It is also apparent that capital investment in transport facilities should remain a priority, particularly in relation to transport integration but to a lesser extent in improvements to facilities for cyclists and pedestrians. Finally, in transport planning terms, it is also clear that while businesses recognise there may be a role for demand management measures in future transport plans there is a sense that these should only be considered following delivery of improvements to alternative modes.

In terms of better integration of land use and transport planning the review of the South East Plan at the same point as the preparation of the second Local Transport Plan presents an ideal opportunity to ensure better synergy between the two.

Overall however a clear message emerges from this exercise that an effective second Local Transport Plan relies on the forging of a strong partnership (both at a strategic and local level) between local authorities, the business community and other stakeholders. The challenge therefore is to ensure the mechanisms are in place to enable this to happen.

Appendix 3

CHTS Workshop Session

1 March 2005

Councillors' Comments

Key theme 1- Town centre accessibility

Andover bus station, cater for low floor buses

Co-ordinate bus and rail timetables

Reduce car parking and congestion

Parking at Winchester and other hospitals

Make buses more attractive - reliability, cost, quality, routeing

Improve signing for Winchester P&R especially from motorway

Rail - excellent service! But sometimes too full. So people drive further

Mainline one fine, but cross-country routes are slow e.g. Winchester to Brighton

Winchester station - poor disabled access from one platform to the other

SWT bus to Romsey station does not call at rail station (because of different operators).

More bus lanes e.g. near Sainsbury's at Winchester

Missing, incomplete pedestrian and cycle links

Need to do cycling infrastructure properly or not at all. Continuous routes - gaps are dangerous

Lack of cycle parking at rail stations

Effective drainage to help promote walking

More priority for pedestrians

Lack of direction signing in Alton and Petersfield

Key theme 2 - Rural accessibility

Micheldever station needs to be upgraded

Access to / parking at rural rail stations

Rail stations in Test Valley - parking, impact on communities, congestion.

Need for tailored public transport solutions e.g. taxi buses, community transport

Shared use rural paths - walk/cycle

More maintenance of rural paths

Verges made walkable - not rec. full footpaths - a `minimal footpath' ? BUT difficult to maintain

Pedestrian rural refuges

Rural rat-runs - affects safety, quality of life

HGVs in villages

Weight enforcement - restricted bridges

Roads not built for HGVs - danger in villages

Traffic speeds in villages

Cyclists inhibited by traffic

Lack of street lighting in villages - would help walking and improve safety, (can assist in seeking 30 mph limits)

A3057 - bridge strikes at Romsey.

Too many road signs

CHTS Workshop Session

1 March 2005

Councillors' Comments, continued

Key theme - 3 Congestion

Review of Winchester city traffic flow. Tie in to development?

Chesil Street pedestrian crossing holds up traffic at peak times

Traffic light phasing - more responsive to traffic. Hold traffic at lights to allow exit at un-signalled junctions.

Congestion in Winchester - need for next Park and Ride site

Key theme 4 - Safety

Lack of pedestrian crossings, consider more zebras/relax criteria

Pedestrian routes - safety

Learn from experiences elsewhere. More innovative, responsive signs

Pockets of poor street lighting in Petersfield

Speed enforcement

M3 link/Tesco junction - safety

Pedestrian safety at school gates

Underpass - people reluctant to use.

More SRTS

Key theme 5 - Air Quality

Air quality in Winchester

Air quality of new houses next to motorways

Key theme 6 - Land Use policies

Building transport infrastructure in time to meet growth

Access to converted buildings in rural areas

Other comments

Listen more to Parish councils and local people

Parish partnerships allowing parish to fund speed limits etc?

Noise on Highways Agency roads - M4, A3

Improvements at M3 junction 9 should be a government priority

Sign clutter

Maintenance backlog

Wide vehicles eroding verges

Better quality roads to reduce needs for maintenance

334/PS