Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

13 November 2001

Project Appraisal - A30 Dorchester Arms Junction Improvement and Associated Pelican Crossings in Hook

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 9

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ROADS

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

A30 DORCHESTER ARMS, HOOK - JUNCTION IMPROVEMENT AND ASSOCIATED PELICAN CROSSINGS IN HOOK

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2002

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 2002

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

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Oct 01

(at Oct 01

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

280

300

Fees

80

80

360

380

Less developers/

50

80

other contributions

310

300

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

310

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a) Developer Contributions

50

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

360

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

8

.019

Capital charges

34

.056

TOTAL net expenditure

42

.075

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

A report detailing the proposed junction improvement at the A30 Dorchester Arms junction was approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 10 September 2001. It recommended the adoption of a traffic signals solution as the preferred scheme.

The 2001/02 Capital Programme includes provision for two Pelican crossings in Hook and, in the interests of efficiency, it was decided to package these works together with the Dorchester Arms traffic signals scheme. This will provide benefits is terms of reduced tendering costs, more efficient contract management and site supervision.

A30 Dorchester Arms, Hook - Proposed Traffic Signals

The justification and background for the Dorchester Arms traffic signals were detailed in the report dated 10 September 2001.

The local Members, Councillors Glen and Chapman, support the proposal.

A30 London Road, Hook - Proposed Conversion of Zebra to Pelican

The crossing in question is situated outside `Graves' butcher's shop near to the roundabout junction with Station Road. The crossing is difficult for pedestrians to use due to relatively high traffic speeds and restricted visibility caused by a high wall. This leads to near misses, incidences of late braking by drivers and general perception of danger by pedestrians. The problems are particularly acute for disabled and partially sighted people.

Following a request from a local blind resident to convert the existing Zebra crossing to a Pelican, and a 443 signature petition in support of the request, an investigation was carried out to assess the crossing facilities. The request was supported by Hook Parish Council.

A survey of pedestrians and vehicles was carried out in March 2000 and the results analysed in accordance with the County Council's normal procedures. The results provided a PV² value of 1.9 x 10⁸ with an average flow of 1,404 vehicles and 97 pedestrians during the four busiest hours of the day. These figures meet the County Council's criteria for the justification of Pelican crossings.

The conversion of the Zebra to a Pelican would overcome the present potentially hazardous crossing movements on the Zebra, where all pedestrians can feel intimidated, and disabled and partially sighted people feel disadvantaged. The crossing point would be made more conspicuous to drivers which would reduce late braking. This would help to create a more pedestrian friendly environment in the centre of Hook Village.

The local Member, Councillor Glen, supports the proposal.

B3349 Griffin Way South, Hook - Proposed Pelican Crossing

Griffin Way South is a secondary cross county road which also serves as a distributor road to local business parks and a housing estate in Hook Village (see attached location plan). Several requests for a Pelican crossing have been received over the years and investigations in the past have shown than a crossing could not be justified.

There are existing pedestrian facilities on Griffin Way South in the form of pedestrian islands and a subway. However, observations revealed that the islands could not cope with the pedestrian demand at the busiest times and that the subway was located too far away from the pedestrian desire lines to be attractive.

In response to a further request, an investigation was initiated in October 2000 to establish whether a Pelican crossing could be justified. The surveys resulted in a PV² value of 1.16 x 10⁸ with an average flow of 1,360 vehicles and 63 pedestrians during the busiest four hours of the day. These figures meet the County Council's criteria for the justification of Pelican crossings.

The introduction of a Pelican crossing would enhance pedestrian provision in this part of Hook, thereby supporting the aims of the North East Hampshire Transport Strategy to encourage walking in preference to travel by private car.

The local Member, Councillor Glen, supports the proposal.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

The works are in accordance with the North East Hampshire Transport Strategy.

Details of scheme and design standards

The scheme is designed to improve road safety at the A30 Dorchester Arms junction and provide valuable crossing facilities for pedestrians in Hook.

The design adheres to all relevant County Council and Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions' standards for traffic signals and pelican crossings. The scheme has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process. The justification of the crossings is in accordance with the County Council's policy.

Environmental impact

The proposals will impact on the local environment in terms of increased lighting and street furniture. Also, the proposed traffic signals will introduce delays to traffic on the A30 which will lead to some queueing traffic.

Land requirements

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

Statutory procedures

All necessary statutory requirements have been satisfied in the development of these proposals.

Public consultation

Extensive public consultation was carried out with respect to the A30 Dorchester Arms traffic signals and was detailed in the report to Executive Member for Environment on 10 September 2001.

With regard to the Pelican crossings, public notices have been posted on site for 28 days giving details of the proposals. No objections have been received.

Facilities for the disabled

The proposed Pelican crossings incorporate tactile paving and audible warnings for the visually impaired and flush kerbs at the crossing point for wheelchairs, prams and the less mobile.

Similarly, the proposed traffic signals will incorporate tactile paving and flush kerbs at the crossing points.

Maintenance implications

The annual cost of maintenance of this scheme is estimated to be £8,000.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

No areas of concern have been identified.

Sustainability

The pelican crossings support and encourage walking as an alternative to the private car.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Details of the alternatives considered for the A30 Dorchester Arms were stated in the report to the Executive Member for Environment on 10 September 2001.

No alternatives to the Pelican crossings were considered appropriate.

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.

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LOCATION

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