Contact: L Newman, ext 6051

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises progress on the Fleet Town Centre Transport Study. Members are asked to recommend that the scope and direction the study is intended to follow in developing proposals for public consultation be endorsed.

2. Background

2.1 Members may recall that at the meeting on 21 March 2001 a report on Fleet Transport Issues recommended that one of two options for Fleet town centre be developed for further public consultation, these were:

(A) measures to improve traffic flows and the environment on Fleet Road; and

(B) completion of the Fleet Inner Relief Road.

2.2 On 2 April 2001 the County Council's former Planning and Transportation Committee amended the recommendation to read:

"That a modified transport Option A for Fleet be progressed in detail as the preferred option but that as part of the consultation exercise, the public be also given the opportunity to see Options B and C in outline."

2.3 Option (C) involved traffic management measures on roads adjacent to Fleet Road and/or part construction of the Fleet Inner Relief (or Distributor) Road.

3. Development of the Options for Public Consultation

3.1 On 25 July 2001 an inception meeting was held between officers of the County Council and W S Atkins, who have been appointed as the County Council's Term Consultants, to progress the next phase of the Fleet town centre transport project.

3.2 The W S Atkins team for the project, which includes urban design, traffic engineering and transport planning skills, was tasked with developing the options for public consultation in early November 2001. The results of the consultation will be reported to the Panel in early 2002, with a recommendation for a preferred option and details for progressing the project to the next stage.

4. Objectives of the Fleet Town Centre Transport Study

4.1 The overall objective of the study is to develop transport measures for Fleet town centre that will improve the environment for shoppers, residents and people working there, while improving safety and access through the area, particularly for pedestrians, bus users and cyclists. Success with the measures will help to enhance Fleet's role as Hart District's main shopping centre.

4.2 Specific objectives for the study are:

(i) to further develop the three options (with preferred option (A) developed in detail, and the other two considered in outline):

(ii) to carry out public consultation on these options; and

(iii) to report the outcome of the consultations to this Panel in early 2002, with detailed proposals for the preferred option.

5. Scope of the Study

5.1 The study will focus on the town centre, primarily Fleet Road between Reading Road and the railway station. The emphasis is on developing Option (A) in detail, with specific proposals for integrating urban design improvements with traffic management measures and improved access within the town centre.

5.2 Options (B) and (C) will be described in outline, and their advantages and disadvantages assessed in terms of environmental, economic and traffic impacts.

5.3 The wider context of new developments and other transport projects in the Fleet area will be considered, insofar as they may affect traffic on Fleet Road and the viability of the alternative options.

6. Consultations

6.1 The proposed consultations will involve:

(i) a staffed exhibition held over three days (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) in early November;

(ii) a leaflet for all households in Fleet and Church Crookham, advertising the exhibition and presenting Option (A) in more detail than Options (B) and (C);

(iii) a questionnaire on the proposals [including views on Options (B) and (C)] available at the exhibition;

(iv) press releases; and

(v) interviews with key stakeholders before and during the consultation period.

7. Key Outputs from the Study

7.1 Key outputs from the study will include:

(i) a working paper reviewing the available information on traffic and transport in Fleet;

(ii) detailed proposals for Option (A), Fleet town centre improvements, and preliminary designs for associated traffic engineering works; and

(iii) a report on the proposals and outcome of the consultations, with a recommendation to this Panel.

8. Consultation Cost

8.1 The cost of the consultation is estimated at £13,000.

Recommendation

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment that the scope and direction of the Fleet Town Centre Transport Study in developing the proposals for public consultation, as set out above, be endorsed.

6686/CB