Archived decisions

Contact: Julie Jarvis, ext 6592

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises the proposed five year capital investment programme for the Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy (CHARTS) 2001-2006. An outline programme was discussed at the meeting on 23 February 2001 when it was recommended that a review of the programme should be undertaken.

2. Background

2.1 In December 2000 the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions announced the financial settlement for Hampshire's Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2001-2006. The allocation for Hampshire totalled £23.37 million for 2001/02, with similar indicative amounts for the remaining five years. Of the total settlement for 2001/02, £13.5 million was allocated for integrated transport measures, including the area transport strategies. On 22 January 2001 the County Council's former Planning and Transportation Committee agreed a four year capital programme for 2001/02 to 2004/05, with an allocation for CHARTS of £2.36 million over the four years. The programme was enhanced in the first year, giving a four year programme of £760,000 for 2001/02, £600,000 for the years 2002/03 and 2003/04 and £400,000 for 2004/05. The County Council's capital programme does not cover the fifth year of the LTP (2005/06). The overall County Council allocations are indicative beyond 2001/02 and may be increased in future annual awards.

3. CHARTS Capital Programme

3.1 The proposed four year capital investment programme was agreed by this Panel on 23 February 2001 and endorsed by the County Council's former Planning and Transportation Committee on 2 April 2001. Schemes have since been developed, some in outline and others to a more advanced stage. The proposed schemes are set out in the attached appendix.

3.2 The majority of the schemes listed in the appendix are those endorsed by Members in February 2001. The programme review has provided the opportunity to give more information on the programme headings with scheme details. The total funding allocation for Petersfield includes the town centre improvements, 20 miles per hour zone, cycle routes and traffic management improvements for the B2070 south of the town.

3.3 Additional allocations of funding were approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 9 October 2001 for projects in the CHARTS area. A sum of £365,000 was allocated to the project in the High Street and The Square in Petersfield, linked to the Country Towns Initiative, and an additional £145,000 for the Otterbourne traffic calming project and cycle scheme.

3.4 The CHARTS indicative four year programme endorsed in February 2001 totalled £2.36 million. The proposed programme in the appendix will require total funding of £3.205 million and covers a five year programme (2001/06). It is proposed that, for planning purposes, schemes are prepared to the higher figure and the capital programme allocations are reviewed when full costing information is known and further funding information is received.

4. Conclusion

4.1 Implementation of the schemes listed in the appendix will allow significant progress to be made towards meeting the objectives of CHARTS. A wide range of schemes is included and appropriate work is being undertaken by the County Council and its Term Consultant to ensure that a complete programme of schemes is delivered.

Recommendation

That the Panel notes the allocation of funding approved by the Executive Member for Environment and the adjustments to the proposed five year programme.

6739/JJ