Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

10 September 2001

Yew Tree Drive, Whiteley - Local Centre
Traffic Management Scheme

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 9

ITEM 9

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ROADS

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

YEW TREE DRIVE, WHITELEY - LOCAL CENTRE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

SEPTEMBER 2001

COMPLETION DATE:

OCTOBER 2001

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2001/02

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

It is proposed to implement a traffic management scheme on Yew Tree Drive aimed at moderating traffic speeds and making drivers more aware of the proximity of the school and proposed Local Centre.

7.2

Background

Whiteley, which lies within both the administrative areas of Fareham Borough and Winchester City Councils, has steadily grown and now has some 2,000 residential dwellings. There are also major employment and retail developments within the area. Local facilities such as Whiteley Primary School have also been provided.

The proposed local centre, together with the existing primary school, will be a major attractor to the area. The traffic management scheme therefore balances the function of Yew Tree Drive as a local traffic route with the needs of pedestrians and cyclists accessing the school and, when complete, the local centre (see attached location plan).

There is a pedestrian/cycle link running between the existing Whiteley Village Shopping Centre and the school/Local Centre. Yew Tree Drive severs this link at Gull Coppice. Pedestrians and cyclists must cross Yew Tree Drive to move between these two significant centres and adjacent residential areas.

At an initial meeting with representatives of Whiteley Primary School particular concern was expressed about the crossing of Yew Tree Drive, near Gull Coppice.

7.3

Details

General arrangement plans showing the proposed traffic management measures are attached; large scale versions will be displayed at the meeting. The features are:

(i) 'visual' narrowing of the existing (6.75 metre wide) carriageway by means of solid edge-of-carriageway lines;

(ii) coloured surface treatment at the existing 'ghost islands' (ie the hatched areas that surround the existing right-turn lanes);

(iii) gateways and localised physical narrowings to reinforce the suggested visual narrowing measures;

(iv) enlargement of the splitter island at the Hispano Avenue junction (this is intended to improve the crossing and maintain continuity of the existing shared use pedestrian/cycle route next to Yew Tree Drive);

(v) an uncontrolled crossing involving a physical narrowing, road markings and signing of Yew Tree Drive at Gull Coppice (this will emphasise the pedestrian/cycle route, between the district centre and local centre sites, as it crosses Yew Tree Drive); and

(vi) enlargement of a the splitter island on Yew Tree Drive at its junction with Rookery Avenue.

The proposals also include items in the Whiteley Primary School Travel Plan:

(i) erection of bus shelter at the existing bus stop on the north-west side of Yew Tree Drive;

(ii) construction of a section of missing footway on the north-east side of Yew Tree Drive close to the roundabout junction with Sweethills Crescent; and

(iii) introduction of parking restrictions on Yew Tree Drive near the Gull Coppice crossing and the school/Local Centre access road, and on the access road itself.

In addition, the bus stop on the south-east side of Yew Tree Drive will be relocated southwards to a position opposite Gull Coppice and a new bus shelter will be provided.

7.4

Standards

The design adheres to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions' standards, together with those of the County Council, and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process.

7.5

Statutory Procedures

Draft orders are being prepared for the prohibition of waiting on both Yew Tree Drive and Gull Coppice. The orders will be advertised at the appropriate time. Following formal advertisement and consideration of objections received, approval has already been given to a revised system of speed limits across the whole Whiteley area, including a 30 miles per hour speed limit in Yew Tree Drive and a 20 mph speed limit on the Local Centre and school access loop road. These will complement the proposed traffic calming scheme and are due to be introduced later this year.

7.6

Consultations

Consultation has been undertaken with local residents, Fareham Borough Council, Winchester City Council, Wickham Parish Council and other statutory consultees throughout the planning process. An exhibition was held on 8/9 June 2001.

7.7

Policy Considerations

The proposals are entirely consistent with the aims of the South East Hampshire Transport Strategy which seeks to encourage more walking and cycling in the area. The safer road crossings and improved facilities will assist these objectives.

7.8

Environmental Impacts

The proposals will have minimal environmental impact.

7.9

Land Requirement

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

7.10

Alternative Arrangements

No alternative arrangements were possible.

7.11

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Estlin, has been involved throughout and is supportive of the proposals.

7.12

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

No areas of concern have been identified.

7.13

Sustainability

The proposed scheme balances the function of Yew Tree Drive as a local traffic route with the needs of pedestrians and cyclists accessing the school and Local Centre. Many of the elements within the proposals are based on the Whiteley Primary School Travel Plan.

7.14

Maintenance Implications

The new road markings will require a small increase to the annual maintenance budget.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

10

Developer Funding

65

Supervision

5

Project Works

50

Land

Nil

____

____

Total

65

Total

65

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net amount

expenditure

1

0.002

Capital Charges

Nil

Nil

____

____

Total net expenditure

1

0.002

____

____

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

Scheme working file

County Surveyor's Department

Engineering Consultancy

Roads Team