Contact: Julie Jarvis, ext 6592

1. Summary

1.1 On 23 February 2001 Members gave approval to go to public consultation on the draft Petersfield town centre improvements. The attached report summarises the results of this consultation undertaken in May 2001. Members are asked to endorse the way forward for the proposals, taking into account, where appropriate, responses received during the public consultation.

2. Background

2.1 In September 1998 Hampshire County Council, in partnership with East Hampshire District Council and Petersfield Town Council, started work on a transport strategy for Petersfield. Consultants Halcrow Fox were commissioned in 1999 to prepare a draft transport strategy for Petersfield, which incorporated ideas provided by a series of community workshops and extensive local consultation. The Petersfield Area Transport Strategy (PATS) was launched in December 2000, after some amendments following consultation on the draft Strategy.

2.2 One of the proposals within PATS is to improve the `historic core' of the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists through implementing a 20 miles per hour (mph) zone. The improvements for the town centre aim to reduce vehicle speeds, improve safety and deter unwanted traffic, thereby making it a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists. The proposals also introduce other measures that will help to improve the appearance and environment of the High Street and The Square, with enhanced surfacing for footways and improved street lighting, street furniture and planting.

3. Public Exhibition and Consultation

3.1 A public exhibition was held on 24 and 25 May 2001 which displayed the proposals for Petersfield town centre. The exhibition was then transferred to the foyer of the Festival Hall in Petersfield where it remained, unstaffed, until 2 July 2001. Key stakeholders and interested parties were formally consulted.

3.2 The exhibition was attended by 301 members of the public over the two days. A total of 186 questionnaires were returned. The questionnaires were analysed under four main categories relating to the key proposals in the questionnaire:

(i) proposed 20 mph zone;

(ii) proposals for St Peter's Road;

(iii) the High Street; and

(iv) The Square.

Comments on the scheme were recorded. Several letters were also received. The detailed results of the consultation are included in the attached report.

3.3 The local Member, Councillor J K West, is supportive of the scheme. The Central Area Community Committee of East Hampshire District Council is supportive of the scheme and put forward some useful points which will be considered in progressing the detailed design.

4. Conclusion

4.1 From the consultation and analysis of responses it is clear that the majority of respondents support the proposed scheme. Subject to only minor amendments, detailed design work should now be undertaken to take the scheme forward to implementation.

Recommendations

1. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment that approval be given for detailed design work to commence for the proposed scheme for Petersfield Town Centre prior to implementation.

2. That Petersfield Town Council be informed of the results of the consultation and the above recommendation.

6738/JJ

PETERSFIELD TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENTS

CONSULTATION REPORT

November 2001

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Scheme Background

3. Consultation Process

4. Outcomes of the Consultation

· General

· Response to the Questionnaire

· The Proposed 20mph Zone

· Proposals for St Peters Road

· Proposals for the High Street

· Proposals for the Square

5. Other Comments

6. Conclusion

Appendices

A Plans of the Draft Proposals

B Consultation Questionnaire and Results

C Summary of Comments on the Consultation Questionnaires

1. Introduction

The aim of the Petersfield town centre improvements is to introduce a 20 mph zone in the historic core and provide highway and environmental improvements for the High Street, The Square and St Peter's Road. The improvements aim to reduce vehicle speeds, improve safety and deter unwanted traffic, thereby making it a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists. The proposals also introduce other measures that will help to improve the appearance and environment of The High Street and The Square with surfacing for footways and improved street lighting, street furniture and planting.

This consultation report documents the public consultation process undertaken in May 2001 and identifies outcomes from this consultation.

2. Scheme Background

In September 1998 Hampshire County Council, in partnership with East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) and Petersfield Town Council, started work on a transport strategy for Petersfield.

Consultants Halcrow Fox were commissioned in 1999 to prepare a draft transport strategy for Petersfield. The main aim of the strategy was to reflect the ideas provided by a series of community workshops and extensive local consultation. A draft report was produced by Halcrow Fox which was consulted on in November 1999. Following the consultation the draft strategy was refined and included most of the proposals recommended by the Halcrow Fox report. The Petersfield Area Transport Strategy (PATS) was launched in December 2000.

One of the proposals within PATS is to improve the `historic core' of the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists through implementing a 20 mph zone. The `historic core', identified in PATS, covers the High Street, The Square, part of Chapel Street, St Peter's Road, Sheep Street, Hylton Road and part of The Spain. The proposal for a 20 mph zone has been refined from the list of five options originally proposed in the 1999 Halcrow Fox draft transport strategy report and was the option which gained most public support.

Implementation of the 20 mph zone provides the opportunity to introduce related street enhancement works. These would focus initially on the immediate environs of The Square and would complement the earlier town centre improvements carried out as part of the Petersfield Bypass Demonstration project.

3. Consultation Process

The public consultation was launched on 22 May 2001 at the Central Area Community Committee of East Hampshire District Council. The consultation period lasted for six weeks. As well as the Committee, 39 members of the public and two members of the press attended and received a detailed presentation from officers of Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council, on the proposals for the `historic core' town centre improvements.

The main focus of consultation was a public exhibition held on 24 and 25 May 2001 which detailed the proposals for Petersfield town centre . Plans of the draft proposals shown at the exhibition are attached in Appendix A. The venue for this was the Physic Garden Meeting Room off the High Street. Officers of the County Council and District Council were present to answer questions and further explain aspects of the plans on show. The emergency services and key stakeholders were formally consulted direct.

Visitors to the exhibition were encouraged to complete a questionnaire on the proposals. The consultation questionnaire sought answers to specific questions relating to each proposal. The questionnaire was in a tick box format and also provided opportunity for respondents to give additional written comments.

On 27 May 2001 the exhibition was transferred to the foyer of the Festival Hall in Petersfield where it remained, unmanned until 2 July 2001. Questionnaires were also available at this location.

The public consultation was widely advertised in the press with details announced in the Petersfield Post, Petersfield Herald and Petersfield Messenger (the local free newspaper). Also, A4 size posters advertising the event were displayed at public buildings.

4. Outcomes of the Consultation

General

The exhibition was attended by 301 members of the public over the two days. A total of 186 questionnaires were returned together with twelve separate letters. Overall the response to the consultation was positive with the majority of the respondents supportive of the scheme proposals.

Response from Interested Parties and Emergency Services

The District Council, Town Council, South Downs Association (representing the interests of the disabled), Police and other emergency services and interested parties were formally consulted. From those organisations that responded there was general support.

Response to the questionnaire

The responses have been analysed under four main categories relating to the key proposals in the questionnaire. The analysis below also includes the main remarks from the additional comments boxes. A copy of the questionnaire with the results in percentages is attached as Appendix B and a summary of the most popular comments received is attached as Appendix C. Responses to the key issues highlighted in Appendix C feature in the written report below.

The proposed 20mph zone

The proposal for the 20mph zone for the `historic core' of Petersfield was generally well received with 66% of those responding believing that traffic speeds would be reduced and thus a better environment would be achieved for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians. A total of 66% of those responding also confirmed that the area covered by the proposed 20 mph zone was appropriate.

Recent speed checks throughout the zone have shown that a 20 mph speed limit would be appropriate for the area, which would be self-enforcing. A 20 mph zone must be self-enforcing in terms of the physical conditions of the road in order to be effective and in order to be supported by the Police. Although traffic speeds in some parts of the town centre are already low during the working day, the introduction of the proposed physical measures is expected to lower traffic speeds to 20 mph throughout the whole zone and during off-peak times.

Several comments were received requesting a wider area for the 20 mph limit, including Lavant Street, Dragon Street, Swan Street, Chapel Street and The Spain. However, it was considered that the centre of the town was the first priority and an extension of the 20 mph zone could be considered at a later date within the wider context of the PATS proposals, following monitoring of the current proposal.

People were less convinced that traffic volumes would be reduced and that the measures were unlikely to discourage unnecessary through trips, with only 40% of respondents believing this would be the case.

Although there are no specific cycle facilities within the proposal, the lowering of traffic speeds is expected to create a more comfortable environment for cyclists. A total of 48% of the respondents felt that this would be the case, with 24% uncertain and 28% not agreeing. New cycle parking stands will be provided and under PATS further proposals for a new cycle route from Penns Place to the Railway Station via the town centre are being developed. These plans are well advanced and are expected to provide an attractive route option for those wishing to cycle to the town centre.

Concerns were expressed over the visual impact of a large number of 20mph signs adding to the clutter of traffic signs already existing throughout the area. Although the design of the signs are dictated by the rules of the Traffic Signs Regulations, any new signs would only be located where traffic enters the zone. In addition a radical review of the existing traffic signs in the town centre will be undertaken during the detailed design of the main scheme.

It was suggested that one resolution to the traffic problems in the `historic core' could be to implement a system of restricted access. At its most extreme this would mean complete pedestrianisation. However evidence and previous consultation carried out by Halcrow Fox as part of the preparation of PATS revealed that local people and users of the town did not want to prevent cars coming into the High Street and the Square to park. In addition many of the shops do not have rear access for servicing, which effectively prohibits pedestrianisation of these areas.

Proposals for St Peter's Road

The proposals to widen the footway leading to The Square, provide extra dropped kerbs and to improve the street lighting were very favourably received with between 79% and 88% of responses agreeing with the various aspects of the plans. 63% agreed with the retention of the two-way traffic for St Peter's Road, as put forward in the proposals. In the earlier consultation by Halcrow Fox a proposal had been put forward for St Peter's Road to be a one-way street but this had proved to be quite contentious at the time. If the end of St Peter's Road, where it joins The Square, and possibly Sheep Street were made one-way, this would give drivers the confidence of knowing that there would be no oncoming traffic, thereby greatly increasing the speed of vehicles travelling along these routes.

Concerns were expressed as to whether the carriageway will be wide enough for two-way traffic once the footway has been widened. However, it is felt that the narrow alignment would have a positive effect on reducing traffic speeds.

Many of the comments with regard to St Peters Road related to the traffic congestion during arrival and departure times for children at the large infant school in this road. As with many schools throughout Hampshire and indeed the country, this appears to be a very emotive issue. Traffic accidents and congestion related to schools are currently being tackled through the `Safe Routes to School' programme and `School Travel Plans'. In addition officers of EHDC are discussing these topics directly with the school.

Existing parking restrictions on St Peter's Road for lorries and cars will be maintained, but marked bays are proposed to complement the proposed `blanket' parking restrictions in the town centre. The proposed Traffic Regulation Orders will be advertised providing a further opportunity for public comment.

Proposals for the High Street

The results indicate that 72% are in favour of widening the footways and consequently narrowing the carriageway in the High Street.

With regard to the provision of courtesy crossings, 74% believed that creating build-outs would make it easier for pedestrians to cross the road. 53% considered there are enough such crossings against 37% who would prefer to see more. Opportunities for a further crossing location is being considered between The Square Brewery and The Square. A number of respondents expressed fears that a false sense of security is given to many of the pedestrians who use these features. While the courtesy crossings do not give pedestrians any right of way over the motorist, they are designed as focusing points where pedestrians can cross the road at a safe and visible place and at the same time raise driver awareness of pedestrian intentions. In addition, courtesy crossings are supported by the Police and disabled users.

Analysis of the comments suggests that more crossing points are required with some requests for at least one controlled crossing in the High Street. However, Hampshire County Council's policy for the provision of crossing facilities is set out in the report to the Planning and Transportation Resources Sub-Committee of 15 January 2001, entitled `A Policy for Pedestrian and Cycle Crossing Facilities'. For a controlled crossing to be considered the pedestrian/vehicle count must satisfy the criteria according to the above advice. Even when viewed with flexibility, the relationship between traffic and pedestrian flows along the High Street fails to satisfy this criteria and as such, a controlled crossing cannot be justified at this location. In addition the associated road markings and parking restrictions would have a detrimental affect on the street scene.

With regard to parking, a total of 55% wish to retain on-street parking and servicing against 36% who do not. Of those against parking, pedestrianisation is put forward by some. The issue of pedestrianisation has been discussed above. Some local access traffic is however considered beneficial to retain a vibrant town centre particularly in the evenings and at weekends. Proposals for a new parking order will be advertised in due course with the opportunity for the public to comment.

Parking and deliveries in the High Street is a key issue of concern. The proposals seek to strike a proper balance between short stay access to the shops recognising that some of the shops rely on frontage parking for access by their delivery vehicles. Although a minority wish for a reduced number of parking spaces, this is not supported by the Town Council and the traders themselves.

Other requests include more parking for the disabled, a new taxi rank, adjustments to the bus stops and restriction on the delivery times for lorries. In the light of this, meetings with relevant representative groups have taken place and these discussions suggest the taxi rank be moved from the High Street to The Square and dedicated parking for the disabled be retained. Further meetings with representative groups are planned to further discuss such issues. Additional disabled parking will be provided in the central (Waitrose) car park as part of the shop-mobility scheme. Further parking is also forthcoming to the south of the town centre as part of the Tesco development.

Proposals for The Square

The proposals for The Square were given a large vote of confidence with at least 76% of replies agreeing to every item in principle.

The proposal for retaining one-way traffic around The Square was given a massive 90% vote of confidence. Again, this was a potentially controversial issue as in the earlier consultation by Halcrow Fox the report had recommended closing two sides of The Square to vehicular traffic. Accordingly the proposal to retain one way traffic around The Square will be retained.

The widening of the footways from Rams Walk to Lloyds Bank and also on the Post Office side of The Square received a 76% show of approval whilst improvements to the crossing point outside the Post Office was endorsed by 83% of respondents. Requests for a crossing outside Lloyds Bank will be investigated during the detailed design of the scheme.

The improvements to the area outside Lloyds Bank and the upgrading of the bus stop were welcomed by an overwhelming 86% and the proposed landscaped sitting area in front of St Peter's Church attracted support from 85% of respondents.

The proposal to create opportunities for outside eating, although backed by 76% of those who responded, was greeted with reservation by some. It was feared that an anti-social element may be attracted and increase vandalism. However, others thought that the plans may encourage a different kind of clientele which would help to contain this element. As a general rule, experience suggests that the more attractive and well lit public spaces can be made at all times of the day the less likely it is that they will result in anti-social behaviour. To allay such fears proposals for outdoor seating will be designed with the minimisation of any anti-social behaviour in mind, through the use of robust materials, improved visibility and improved lighting.

Discussions are under way with EHDC, who manage The Square, concerning the provision of improved electricity supplies for The Market Square and Christmas tree point.

5. Other Comments

A number of comments were received regarding issues or areas outside the scope of the proposed works. These will be passed on to the appropriate authorities for their consideration.

6. Conclusion

The Petersfield Area Transport Strategy (PATS) was developed in partnership with Hampshire County Council, East Hampshire District Council, Petersfield Town Council and the local community. As part of this Strategy the town centre proposals were developed and opened to public consultation in May 2001. A total of 301 people attended the public exhibition and 186 completed questionnaires were returned. Several letters were also received together with formal responses from key stakeholders.

Analysis of the questionnaires and comments indicates that there is support for the proposed town centre improvements. The next stage of the project will be detailed design prior to implementation.

Appendix A

Appendix B

PETERSFIELD TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENTS

Questionnaire Results

(all amounts in %)
Yes	Don't Know	No

Question 1. The Aims of the 20 mph Zone

Do you think that the proposed 20 mph zone for the historic core of

Petersfield will achieve the following aims?

Question 2. Area Covered by the 20 mph Zone

Question 3. Detailed Proposals for St Peters Road

Do you agree with the proposals for St Peters Road?

Question 4. Detailed Proposals for the High Street

Do you agree with the proposals shown for the High Street?

Question 5. Detailed Proposals for The Square

Do you agree with the proposals below for The Square?

JJ/

6 September 2001

Appendix C

PETERSFIELD TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENTS

Summary of comments from questionnaires (by 4 or more respondents)

Question 2 Area covered by 20 mph zone

Question 3 Detailed proposals for St Peters Road

Question 4 Detailed proposals for the High Street

Question 5 Detailed proposals for The Square