Archived decisions

Contact: Terry Williams, ext 7046

1. Summary

1.1 This report considers 68 letters of objection received in response to the Traffic Regulation Order - Prohibition of Driving Order on Dibles Road.

1.2 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That a Traffic Regulation Order be made to prohibit all vehicles from proceeding in that length of Dibles Road, Warsash between the turning head constructed adjacent to property No. 63 and property No.79 to enable Dibles Road east of the closure to be connected to a new length of distribution road linking north-west to Schooner Way.

(ii) That further consultation be undertaken to determine how the new road links into the existing road network at Schooner Way.

2. Reason

2.1 The Prohibition of Driving Order is necessary to make the western part of Dibles Road into a cul-de-sac as this is an integral part of the Western Distributor Road (Schooner Way to Dibles Road) scheme. The Project Appraisal for the scheme was approved by the Environment Committee on 25 June 2001.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 No other suitable option.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - Not applicable.

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

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

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Introduction

7.1 On 25 June 2001 the Environment Committee approved the Project Appraisal for this scheme, which includes the authority to carry out the Statutory Procedures necessary for making Dibles Road west into a cul-de-sac. Public notice of the intention to make an Order for the Prohibition of Driving on part of Dibles Road was given on 19 July 2001, providing for a period up to 9 August 2001 for the receipt of objections and comments.

8. Proposals

8.1 The scheme involves constructing a 260 metre length of new carriageway (170 metres at 7.3 metres wide and 90 metres tapering into the existing road width) from Schooner Way to Dibles Road (see attached drawing). A mini roundabout will be constructed at the junction of the new road with Schooner Way. There will be a footway on the north side of the new road and the existing greenway cul-de-sac will be linked into Dibles Road with a suitable crossing point. The eastern sector of Dibles Road will lead into the Western Distributor Road. The western section of Dibles Road will become a cul-de-sac.

8.2 In advance of the completion of the final phase (Warsash Road to Schooner Way) it is proposed to hold further local consultation in October 2001 at the Victory Hall, Warsash. The results of this consultation will lead to a decision as to whether to connect the new section of road to Schooner Way directly on completion of the works, or delay this until the final phase between Warsash Road and Schooner Way is built.

9. Objections

9.1 A total of 68 letters, together with a petition (of 103 signatures) objecting to the traffic order has been received, as well as a petition (of 59 signatures) supporting the proposals. Details of both the objections and supporting comments are provided in Appendix 1. The list of objectors is set out in Appendix 2 and those supporting is given in Appendix 3.

9.2 In the main the objectors expressed concern over the following:

(i) there would be extra traffic on Schooner Way, Cutter Avenue and Warsash Road which would create safety problems for residents - 26 people;

(ii) there would be extra traffic on Fleet End Road which would create safety problems for residents - 21 people;

(iii) there would be a safety problem at the Warsash Road/Cutter Avenue junction - 8 people;

(iv) proposed scheme would be a waste of money - 33 people;

(v) proposed scheme is not required - 23 people;

(vi) it would sever a community - 5 people;

(vii) it would involve extra distance to travel to access Warsash - 15 people;

(viii) money should be spent on other road safety improvements in the area - 14 people;

(ix) it would involve loss of trade for businesses at the western end of Dibles Road - 6 people; and

(x) there was a lack of consultation by the County Council with residents - 9 people.

9.3 A petition from 34 properties involving 59 signatures supported the proposed Prohibition of Driving Order on part of Dibles Road, to bring about safety improvements, reduced traffic volumes and speed at its western end. All have been included in the Local Plan since 1979.

10. Discussion

10.1 The Western Distributor Road was part of the road network included in the 1979 'Western Wards of Fareham Action Area Local Plan' to serve the new housing development proposed in the Western Wards area. The majority of the housing development is now in place and, via agreements negotiated with the various developers, funds have been collected to construct the road network and other transportation initiatives. Due to the inflow of funds and the acquisition of land, where necessary, the distributor road network has been constructed in a staged approach.

10.2 This final stage of the Western Distributor has again been split into two phases and the first phase, from Dibles Road to Schooner Way, is due to start construction in early October. This has been possible following the recent completion of the final plot of land on this phase by the County Council after long and detailed negotiations by both the Estates Practice and Chief Executive's legal section. In fact some 13 plots of land have been acquired for Phase 1 and many of the accommodation works to these plots have been carried out in advance, although some remain to be completed under the main contract. On the final phase, three plots of land are required, two have been acquired and the outstanding plot is Warsash Motors.

10.3 Planning Approval for Stages 3 and 4 of the Western Distributor was granted in 1995, with reserved matters being approved in 1998. More recently a minor amendment to the Planning Approval was obtained changing the proposed ghost island right turn layout to a mini roundabout at the junction of the Western Distributor and Schooner Way. As part of the planning process in 1995 all the statutory planning processes were carried out, together with a wide range of consultations with interested bodies, the results of which were reported by the County Planning Officer to the relevant committee.

10.4 On 25 June 2001 the Environment Committee (formerly Planning and Transportation) approved the Project Appraisal for Phase 1 of Stage 4 of the Western Distributor Road. The report stated that "Further consultation be undertaken to determine how the new road links into the existing road network". This was included to reflect the comments that had up to that time been received from the local community. It is proposed to hold the consultation in October at the Village Hall, Warsash, giving the options of either linking in the new section of road to Schooner Way at this time or waiting until the final phase (from Schooner Way to Warsash Road) is complete. This will obviously be a balancing act as joining it in will mean that traffic from the east end of Dibles Road will use the west end of Schooner Way and Cutter Avenue. Not joining it will mean that traffic from the east end of Dibles Road will have no option but to use Fleet End Road.

10.5 As mentioned above, regarding the general development in the Western Wards, and in particular Area 15 (the Boat Estate) which is now substantially complete, the current proposal is endeavouring to complete the link from Dibles Road to Warsash Road in the two phases indicated. This will relieve the western end of Dibles Road, which is narrow with no footways or street lighting and has always been recognised as unsuitable to cater for the traffic emanating from the development or more generally travelling from the eastern end of Dibles Road. The turning head for the east end of the closure in Dibles Road was constructed some time ago as part of an adjacent small housing development.

10.6 Fleet End Road has been improved in the past with the use of developers' contributions, and there is an ongoing programme of works for Warsash Road. These include a recently completed traffic management scheme in the vicinity of the school, plus proposed junction improvements at Lockswood Road and Abshot Road, together with a traffic management scheme on Warsash Road between these two junctions.

11. Conclusion

11.1 It is considered that the proposals should proceed as advertised.

11.2 The local Member, Councillor Estlin, and the Police have been consulted and are in agreement with the recommendations.

6674/TPW

APPENDIX 1

OBJECTIONS AND COMMENTS

1. There is general concern that extra traffic on Schooner Way and Cutter Avenue will create safety problems for residents. (Objectors 5, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 28, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 49, 54, 55, 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67.)

COMMENTS

Very few driveways access directly onto those roads which were purpose built for the development and have footways both sides plus street lighting, and should be capable of handling the extra traffic until phase 2 (Schooner Way to Warsash Road) is completed.

2. There is concern that extra traffic will use Fleet End Road and will create additional safety problems for residents. (Objectors 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 24, 25, 29, 32, 33, 44, and 52.)

COMMENTS

Extra traffic will only increase significantly if at this stage the new road is not connected to Schooner Way. Additionally, during school term time parents park at the top end of Fleet End Road and cause congestion. This situation will be monitored and may require a waiting restriction order to be promoted if it is considered appropriate.

3. It is considered that the proposed route from Dibles Road to Warsash will be a much greater distance than the existing route. (Objectors 3, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 33, 34, 45, 48, 52, 55, 56, 57, and 65.)

COMMENTS

With Dibles Road made into a cul-de-sac the extra distance travelled will be 600 metres via Schooner Way, Cutter Avenue and Warsash Road.

4. By making Dibles Road into a cul-de-sac businesses at the western end will suffer a loss of trade. (Objectors 17, 18, 19, 28, 35 and 56.)

COMMENTS

Concern over the extra length to travel which may deter people from using the businesses. (See 3 above.) Direct access along Dibles Road will still be possible for pedestrians and cyclists.

5. It is considered that there will be a safety problem at the Cutter Avenue/Warsash Road junction with the extra traffic using the junction. (Objectors 22, 23, 24, 25, 42, 55, 61 and 66.)

COMMENTS

The Cutter Avenue junction will be improved with signing, road markings and some site clearance to improve sight lines.

6. By making Dibles Road into a cul-de-sac it will sever a community. (Objectors 32, 33, 35, 37 and 66.)

COMMENTS

Access will still be possible for pedestrians and cyclists. (See also 3 above.)

7. It is considered that money should be spent on traffic calming other roads in the area. (Objectors 1, 2, 8, 10, 11, 15, 16, 36, 52, 53, 55, 58, 59 and 66.)

COMMENTS

There is an ongoing programme of traffic calming works in the area.

8. Many considered the new road was not required. (Objectors 9, 10, 16, 17, 21, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 39, 42, 43, 47, 50, 56, 58, 59 and 60.)

COMMENTS

The Western Distributor Road was included in the adapted Western Wards of Fareham Action Area Plan in 1979. The Fareham Borough Local Plan Review, which was the subject of a Public Local Inquiry in July 1998, retains the proposal for the Western Distributor Road.

9. It was considered that the new road was a waste of money. (Objectors 4, 7, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 56, 57, 59, 60, 63, 66, 67 and 68.)

COMMENTS

Via agreements, funds have been collected from developers to construct the Western Distributor Road. (See also 8 above.)

10. Some objectors expressed concern that there had been no official consultation with the local residents. (Objectors 33, 34, 40, 46, 47, 48, 52, 62 and 66.)

COMMENTS

The Western Distributor to date has been the subject of three local inquiries. The last of these was in July 1998. In addition to this, during the planning approval process Stages 3 and 4 of the Western Distributor Road the statutory consultation processes were carried out, leading to planning permission being granted in 1995 with reserved matters being approved in 1998.

11. People living at the western end of Dibles Road signed a petition supporting the Prohibition of Driving on Dibles Road.

COMMENT

Their concerns relate to safety of the road users and residents of Dibles Road west as the road is narrow, has no footways, is unlit and has poor vertical alignment and carries traffic generated from the new development. They also acknowledge that the County Council and Borough Council have carried out their statutory duties and consultation processes in relation to this scheme.