Hampshire County Council
South East Hampshire Transportation Strategy Item 2
Joint Members' Panel
5 October 1999
Strategy Issues
Report of the County Surveyor, Portsmouth City Engineer
and Heads of Engineering
(Gosport and Fareham Borough Councils)
1. Summary
1.1 This report considers:
(i) progress on the Waterlooville town centre
transportation study;
(ii) the current position on proposed transport studies;
(iii) a situation report on transport issues at Whiteley
and Segensworth;
(iv) South Hampshire Rapid Transit - Phase 1, Fareham-
Gosport- Portsmouth;
(v) joint working arrangements for consideration of the
major development area proposals for west of
Waterlooville;
(vi) Winchester City Council representation on the South
East Hampshire Transportation Strategy (SEHTS)
Panel;
(vii) Green Travel Initiatives in Portsmouth;
(viii) various development issues and proposals; and
(ix) the dates for the next meetings of the Panel.
1.2 Members are asked to note the report, endorse public
consultation on the Waterlooville Town Centre Transportation
Study and consider Winchester City Council's representation
on the SEHTS Panel.
2. Waterlooville Town Centre Transportation Study
2.1 Members may recall that the commencement of this study
(jointly funded by the County Council and Havant Borough
Council) was endorsed at the last meeting. The principal
issue to consider is how to meet the aspirations for
pedestrianisation in the town centre whilst maintaining the
appropriate level of bus access so as to ensure adequate
service provision is maintained.
2.2 A consultant was appointed in July 1999. He has carried out
examinations of the local area, held meetings to hear the
views of the main interested parties and is at present
assessing traffic, accident and other related data. The
consultant's report is expected later this month which will
be followed by a presentation to Members as part of the
informal Panel meeting to be held on 13 December 1999 (see
section 10). It is suggested that public exhibitions be
held in January to gain public comments, with a further
report to the next Panel.
3. Transport Studies
3.1 As Members may recall the following key special studies have
been identified to be undertaken:
(i) Fareham rail station - interchange provision;
(ii) Fareham-Gosport Peninsula - bus priority measures
and infrastructure provision; and
(iii) A27 corridor (Fareham-Portchester) - bus priority
measures and cycle route provision.
At the meeting of the Panel in June, the Chairman asked for
information on the timescales for the studies to be
provided.
3.2 Budgetary pressures arising from the publication and
consultation costs of the Local Transport Plan have
necessitated some re-ordering and prioritisation of the
budget for special studies such as those above. The study
for Fareham rail station has been given a high priority and
should be undertaken this year. The timing of the other
studies has yet to be resolved but there may be a delay
until 2000/01. Nevertheless, briefs for these studies are
being prepared so that they are in a state of readiness when
funds become available.
4. Transport Issues at Whiteley and Segensworth
4.1 As many Members may be aware, the transport problems in the
Whiteley and Segensworth area are serious and complex. The
level of development in the area, together with direct
access to the M27 corridor, has led to a high level of
mobility and heavy reliance on the car. Peak period
conditions at M27 Junction 9 and Segensworth roundabout are
particularly difficult. On 25 January 1999 the Planning and
Transportation Committee agreed a set of measures which
sought to address these issues by proposing a range of
short, medium and longer term measures. However, it should
be recognised that whilst the County Council and the
district councils are key players in seeking to ease these
problems, other parties have a major influence on present
conditions and possible improvements, including the Highways
Agency, landowners, developers, public transport operators,
together with commuters and residents.
4.2 A report is to be presented to the Planning and
Transportation Committee on 11 October 1999 on the current
position regarding various issues at Whiteley and
Segensworth. The following section provides a brief update
on the main issues to be considered by the Committee.
Whiteley Way
4.3 Progress on completing Whiteley Way continues to be
frustrated by the inability to resolve land acquisition
problems, despite extensive activity and encouragement from
the County Council. The basic problems remain, being either
an unwillingness on behalf of landowners to negotiate the
sale of land or demands for payment for land potentially
well in excess of its current value and funds available.
The Planning and Transportation Committee will be asked to
consider the way forward on this matter and also the related
issues of the uncompleted links to Botley Road at Yew Tree
Drive and Rookery Avenue.
Whiteley Shopping Village
4.4 The shopping village is due to open in November 1999 and be
fully operational by Easter 2000. As Members may be aware
the village includes 'designer retail outlets' which
represents a significant change in character from the
original 'local centre' concept. Current land use
designations allow this change without any need for a new
permission. The local authorities are very concerned about
the potential traffic impact of this development and have
made the developer aware of these concerns. There have been
many discussions with the developer/operator about
contingency plans and green travel initiatives, but concerns
remain that the impact of the outlets is not fully
appreciated by the developer.
M27 Junction 9
4.5 Major improvements at Junction 9 are included in the agreed
set of measures for the medium term (two to five years).
However, it is clear that some interim improvements are
needed to better manage existing peak period conditions. A
scheme is currently being progressed which can be achieved
within the existing highway boundary, funded by developer
contributions. It is hoped to implement this scheme in early
Spring 2000, subject to the agreement of the Highways
Agency. In the medium/longer term further improvements at
this junction will be coordinated with the ongoing study
into the M27 corridor led by the Highways Agency, and the
development of the 'toolkit' approach.
A27 Segensworth Roundabout
4.6 The recent changes to this junction have provided for better
management of traffic flows around the roundabout and have
been generally well received. Access to and from
Segensworth East and North has also been improved by the
construction (in October 1998) of the Eastern Distributor
Road (Cartwright Drive). The set of measures agreed in
January 1999 proposes modifying access to and from
Segensworth roundabout, in order to improve management of
traffic flows by reducing the number of entries and enabling
the remaining entries to be signal controlled. These
changes rely upon acquisition of land and the availability
of funds.
Leafy Lane
4.7 There has been considerable local concern about through
traffic using this residential access collector road.
Discussions have taken place with local residents to seek an
agreed way forward. Many residents would wish to see the
road permanently closed, whilst others wish to see it remain
open. There is, however, general support for the completion
of traffic calming measures along Leafy Lane. Options for
controlling through traffic are currently being investigated
in more detail, including the possible introduction of
permit controlled barriers. However, there are major issues
of cost, maintenance and permit administration to be
resolved, as well as policy implications elsewhere in the
county. The views of the Police have been sought before
taking this matter further forward.
Pedestrian and Cycle Network in Whiteley
4.8 The County Council, in consultation with the district
councils, is continuing to progress the implementation of
missing sections of the pedestrian and cycle networks not
completed in association with development. In particular,
it is hoped to continue a path along Rookery Avenue to
Whiteley Way, including a crossing of Whiteley Way this
year. This will complete an east-west route across Whiteley
from Leafy Lane, past Whiteley School, to Botley Road.
Future Proposals
4.9 The Whiteley and Segensworth area experiences serious
congestion at peak periods, as do many other urban areas.
As elsewhere, it is clear that simply building new roads
will not solve those problems. Changes in attitude and
behaviour will need to be encouraged, complemented by
improvements in the provision for modes other than the car.
The development of the South Hampshire Rapid Transit network
and its coordination with local public transport provision,
together with improvements to encourage cycling and walking,
will have a key role to play. Green travel initiatives
amongst local businesses will be promoted. The study into
the M27 corridor led by the Highways Agency will seek to
optimise its use by all modes and bring forward innovative
measures.
5. South Hampshire Rapid Transit - Phase 1 Fareham-Gosport-
Portsmouth
5.1 The County Council and Portsmouth City Council, as joint
promoters of the light rail project, submitted an
application for an Order under the Transport and Works Act
1992 (TWA) in March 1998. A Public Inquiry into the
proposal was held in Portsmouth in February and March 1999.
A total of 456 objections to the proposals were made,
primarily about detail rather than the principle of the
scheme. There were 127 statements of support, including
many from local businesses such as the Hampshire Economic
Partnership, made to the Secretary of State, and 13 other
representations. There were 32 objectors and 11 supporters
at the Public Inquiry. The publication of the Inspector's
report and subsequent decision by the Secretary of State on
the Transport and Works Act Public Inquiry is awaited.
5.2 The Inspector submitted his report in the week commencing 24
May 1999 to the Department of the Environment, Transport and
the Regions (DETR) which has advised that it should be six
months from the submission to the Secretary of State's
decision. Whilst the project team await the TWA outcome,
expected from December 1999 onwards, the focus is very much
on funding and procurement, working on the Outline Business
Case (OBC), with a submission to DETR, the supporting
Government department this financial year.
5.3 Following the granting of powers and the OBC submission, the
promoters will engage with private sector partners, likely
to include an operator, a vehicle manufacturer, a civil
engineering contractor and a financial partner.
Construction could begin in 2002 with an opening date in
2005, subject to funding being available.
6. West of Waterlooville Proposed Development Area - Joint
Working Arrangements
6.1 Winchester City Council is making administrative
arrangements for a Members' Working Party to oversee
proposals for this major development area (MDA).
Representatives from the County Council, Havant Borough
Council and Portsmouth City Council have been invited to
participate in this working party. It is understood that
the first meeting of the working party is likely to be
arranged soon. An officer working group has also been set
up to service the Member meetings and provide technical back
up.
6.2 Clearly this MDA will have major implications for the South
East Hampshire area, and Havant in particular, in terms of
transport, land use and the environment. Notably, the
progression of proposals for the South Hampshire Rapid
Transit along the A3 corridor (the subject of a report
elsewhere on the agenda) will need to be closely tied in
with implementation of the MDA, and vice versa. It is
intended that there should be reports to this Panel on the
progress of the working party and any issues it may raise
for the strategy area.
7. Winchester City Council Representation at the SEHTS Panel
Meetings
7.1 The proposed MDA west of Waterlooville and a substantial
part of Whiteley lie within the administrative boundary of
Winchester City Council. Obviously, many issues in these
areas are or would be closely inter-related with those of
the rest of South East Hampshire, and hence they are
included within the SEHTS area. However, at the present
time Winchester City Council has no representation on the
Panel. It would appear appropriate for the City Council to
be represented in some form.
7.2 There are two options in this respect:
(i) full Member representation with supporting
officer(s) at each meeting; or
(ii) invited Member representation with supporting
officer(s) at meetings where issues relevant to the
City Council are to be considered.
7.3 Generally the issues considered by the Panel would not be of
direct relevance to the City Council, hence it is suggested
that for the time being the second option could be adopted
by the Panel. However, in the longer term, issues relating
to the proposed MDA and Whiteley may necessitate a review of
this approach. Members are asked to consider this matter.
8. Green Travel Initiatives in Portsmouth
8.1 Achieving meaningful results for traffic reduction (or
reductions in the rate of growth of traffic) will only be
possible by changing the public's attitudes to its transport
needs and particularly by enlisting the active support of
both local and national businesses. In implementing the
first phase of its green travel plan (as part of Project
ENTIRE), Portsmouth City Council sought to be a role model
for other employers in south-east Hampshire and a practical
test of a range of initiatives to encourage reduced
dependence on cars. The last year has seen a rapid increase
in interest from employers in green travel plans, with a
number of major employers in Portsmouth with plans either
implemented or in late stages of development. The interest
is such that in the autumn the Chamber of Commerce will be
publishing its own guide for employers, drawing from both
local and national experience, and this is expected to
coincide with the inaugural meeting of the Portsmouth Green
Travel Forum.
9. Development Issues and Proposals
9.1 This section summarises the current position on certain
major development and redevelopment schemes that have
significant transport implications for the SEHTS area.
Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
9.2 This major residential/retail/leisure development is funding
a number of transport improvements, principally at junctions
along the western access to the city, incorporating new
crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, together
with segregated bus lanes into and out of the city centre.
On-site parking for 1,700 visitors' cars will be available,
which is substantially less than the unrestrained,
demand-led requirement. The site is adjacent to the
Portsmouth Harbour station and the development company is
actively looking at opportunities to promote travel to the
location by rail rather than road for both visitors and
employees.
Portsmouth City Centre North
9.3 Negotiations are taking place with potential development
partners to achieve comprehensive redevelopment of the area
bounded by Hope Street, Marketway and Commercial Road,
together with the now vacant Tricorn Centre. Over 1,000
parking spaces will be required to meet the needs of the new
retail space and support the wider city centre, but a
priority is being given to ensuring a high degree of
accessibility by bus, cycle and for walk-in journeys. The
proposals are expected to fund the dualling of Hope Street,
potentially enabling Marketway to be closed.
Queen Alexandra Hospital
9.4 Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding for further
development at this hospital has been confirmed. The
Hospital Trust has committed itself to promoting more
sustainable travel to its staff and patients and is
developing a 'green travel plan' in consultation with the
city council. Lying adjacent to the A3 London Road, the
hospital is well placed to be integrated with the public
transport priority proposals for the A3 corridor.
Tipner and Gateway Project
9.5 Problems of accessibility to this site from the M275 have
substantially been resolved, bringing forward opportunities
for redevelopment. With motorway access, the site would be
well located to provide park and ride to serve the city
centre and the Gunwharf/Heritage area. A possible private
sector initiative to build and operate a 'monorail' from
Port Solent to the city centre and Southsea via Tipner would
be beneficial to any park and ride.
9.6 The Gateway Project encompasses a range of transport and
environmental improvements to the western access to the
city, including the opportunity for a new bus, pedestrian
and cycle bridge across Tipner Lake to form a direct link
between Tipner/Stamshaw and Port Solent, with the
opportunity for new services between Fareham and Portsmouth.
Johnson and Johnson Roundabout, Portsmouth
9.7 Lying adjacent to Junction 12 of the M27, this large
roundabout carries sizeable volumes of vehicles at high
speeds and suffers from an unacceptable accident record.
Discussions are taking place with the Highways Agency with a
view to implementing an innovative junction layout designed
to reduce conflicts at major junctions with high turning
flows. Resolving problems at this junction is critical to
unlocking development opportunities in the immediate
vicinity, including land at IBM and the former Johnson and
Johnson site.
Priddy's Hard, Gosport
9.8 The Priddy's Hard development is situated on a former
Ministry of Defence (MoD) brownfield site in a peninsular
location alongside Portsmouth Harbour and Forton Lake. The
construction of 700 dwellings has commenced, which are to be
primarily accessed by two kilometres of new road,
substantially along the line of the disused railway line
running from A32 Fareham Road. It is anticipated that the
developer will contribute towards the expansion of the
cycleway network, improvements to public transport
infrastructure and local highway safety improvements.
9.9 Adjacent to the site is the proposed Priddy's Hard Heritage
Area, which is to incorporate an armaments museum and
associated visitor facilities utilising historic buildings.
Other future land uses may include business conferencing,
exhibitions, specialist markets, craft workshops, open space
and community uses. A new bridge for cycles, pedestrians
and a 'road train' is proposed over the adjacent Forton
Creek to provide links to the town centre.
Cherque Farm, Gosport
9.10 This development has outline planning permission for 1,050
houses. It lies immediately to the east of Lee-on-the-
Solent and will be accessed by the proposed new Gosport-
Fareham Link Road, between Broom Way and Privett Road. The
development will incorporate a major pedestrian/cycle route
linking with the existing cycleway network and adjacent
residential areas. It is expected to fund new cycle
facilities on Broom Way and minor capacity improvements to
the Peel Common roundabout.
Other Developments in Gosport
9.11 MoD releases of significant areas of development land are
under way or expected at Daedalus, Royal Clarence Yard, St
George's Barracks, Frater Gate and Haslar. Development of
these sites could offer some local employment opportunities.
Appropriate transport infrastructure must be secured in
association with these sites, and closely integrated in the
strategy with the provision of alternative transport modes,
in order to avoid exacerbating present traffic problems in
the Fareham-Gosport Peninsula.
Fareham Borough Local Plan
9.12 A Public Local Inquiry was held in 1998 for an independent
Inspector to consider the Plan and objections to it. In
response to the objections, the Inspector has now prepared a
report for the Borough Council, setting out his conclusions
and recommendations. The Inspector was generally supportive
of the Plan in respect of the transportation chapter.
However, the Borough Council is considering the Inspector's
report in detail to decide what modifications may be
necessary. A full report will be brought to the Panel in
due course.
Daedalus
9.13 Fareham Borough Council is working with partners, the County
Council, Gosport Borough Council and the Ministry of
Defence, on ways of achieving satisfactory uses to provide a
development consistent with the jointly-produced Daedalus
Strategy. Inevitably, Fareham Borough Council is focusing
on the airfield which is in the Borough, and is actively
considering ways of achieving its vision for the airfield,
whilst maintaining its open nature. The Borough Council is
considering ways of achieving a viable use of the airfield
for aviation purposes, perhaps with involvement in
acquisition either directly or in partnership. The
possibility of a fibre optic cable coming ashore at Daedalus
(Project Oxygen) may be a catalyst for associated business
development on a limited part of the airfield. The question
of gravel extraction will only be resolved as and when the
issue of viability of the airfield for aviation uses is
resolved. Fareham Borough Council is supportive of efforts
by Gosport Borough Council to bring forward uses on the
southern part of the site to encourage employment.
10. Dates for Next Panel Meetings
10.1 It is suggested that an informal meeting of the Panel be
held at 2.00 pm on 13 December 1999 at the Fareham Borough
Council offices. The agenda will include a presentation on
the Waterlooville Town Centre Transportation Study and
progress on the A3 bus priority proposals.
10.2 The date for the next formal meeting of the Panel is 7 March
2000.
Recommendations
1. That the contents of the report be noted.
2. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Parent Committees that:
(i) an exhibition be held in late 1999 to gain public
comment on the findings of the Waterlooville Town
Centre Transportation Study, with a subsequent
report back to the next meeting of this Panel; and
(ii) it be agreed that Winchester City Council
representatives be invited to attend those meetings
of the South East Hampshire Transportation Strategy
Joint Members' Panel where issues relevant to the
City Council are to be considered.
3. That the Panel meet again on 13 December 1999 and 7 March
2000.
5403/PCS
Top of this page
Hantsweb Homepage