Archived decisions

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1. Summary

1.1 The A340 corridor between Basingstoke and the county boundary at Tadley provides the focus for a number of development proposals, including North of Popley, Aldermaston Road Triangle Site, Park Prewett and a Major Development Area (MDA) to the west of Basingstoke. The location of the North Hampshire Hospital and its access requirements are also significant in this context. It is proposed that all these interests be taken forward in a coordinated way to ensure that the maximum benefits can be derived in as sustainable a way as possible in the context of the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport (BEST).

2. Introduction

2.1 The A340 corridor has been identified within BEST as an area that would benefit from substantial transport improvements, particularly with the considerable amount of proposed development in the area (see Figure 1). It is considered that the opportunity exists to combine the development interests with those of the existing residential area and the hospital to provide transport infrastructure which reflects more fully the objectives of BEST. In particular, the opportunities to meet or exceed the BEST targets for public transport, walking and cycling could be considerable. Coordinating the development interests on the scale proposed will also influence other parts of the established urban area, notably the Popley area, in terms of transport improvements.

3. Development Proposals

3.1 A large number of potential development sites are being considered in and around the Basingstoke area, a number of which would affect the A340 corridor. The current review of the Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan will identify those sites to be taken forward for development, including proposals for MDAs to the east and west of the town.

3.2 The proposed developments potentially affecting the A340 corridor include North of Popley Way, Aldermaston Road Triangle Site and continued construction at Park Prewett. An MDA to the west of Basingstoke would primarily impact on the A339 corridor but would also influence the A340 corridor in terms of its proximity and the opportunity to translate the principles of such a development to a wider area. An MDA to the east of Basingstoke would have less impact on the A340 corridor.

North of Popley Way

3.3 The North of Popley Way Development and Design Brief, approved by the Borough Council's Cabinet on 16 May 2001, allows for between approximately 1,500 and 1,700 dwellings. This takes account of revised Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 on Housing (PPG3). This scale of development clearly has major transport implications in terms of the number of journeys likely to be generated, the capacity of the existing transport networks and the opportunity to fund new public transport and cycling and walking infrastructure from developer contributions.

3.4 The County Council has indicated that it wishes to relocate the John Hunt of Everest School to the North of Popley Way development area. This would provide further opportunities for residential development on the site of the existing school.

3.5 In association with the North of Popley Way Development and Design Brief, Stuart Michael Associates were commissioned by the Borough Council to undertake a transport assessment of the potential transport impact of development. This was primarily for the North of Popley Way development, but also took account of the potential relocation of the John Hunt of Everest School, Park Prewett and the Aldermaston Road Triangle. As a result of this work, a number of transport improvements have been included in the North of Popley Way Development and Design Brief for the A340, in negotiation with Hampshire County Council as landowner.

Aldermaston Road Triangle

3.6 A planning application has been received by the Borough Council for a mixed-use development at the Aldermaston Road Triangle, between the A340 and North Hampshire Hospital. Approval of the application is expected to include the introduction of a signal junction at the northern end of the site, to deal with traffic to part of the site and also to Park Prewett, and a financial contribution to BEST. The application has been called-in by the Secretary of State and therefore a final decision to proceed with the proposed development has been delayed.

3.7 Measures to reduce speeds on the approach to Aldermaston Road/Priestly Road (North) junction will be included. The planning application includes a pedestrian and cycle route bisecting the site and providing a focus at the main entrance of the North Hampshire Hospital. A further traffic signal junction at the south of the site is proposed which could be combined with access arrangements to the North of Popley development.

Park Prewett

3.8 Park Prewett Hospital to the west of the A340 is currently being redeveloped as Park Village with a total capacity for approximately 1,250 residential dwellings. At present 275 have been built in Phase 1, and Phase 2 is anticipated to commence shortly, providing a further 350 dwellings. This site's primary access will be onto the A340 and the developers are currently in negotiation with the County Council in respect of potential highway improvements.

West of Basingstoke MDA

3.9 Consultants have been engaged by the Manydown Joint Management Committee to consider the transport implications of an MDA. This has sought to meet the objectives of BEST in minimising the impact of traffic generated by the development and supporting the creation of high quality public transport facilities and measures to encourage walking and cycling. It is considered that implementation of the proposed MDA could take place in the medium to longer term. However, the opportunities presented by this MDA will need to be considered as part of the Local Plan Review alongside other large scale developments.

Greenham Park

3.10 The new Greenham Park development in West Berkshire (formerly the Greenham Common air base) has implications for traffic movements into Hampshire. In particular, the proposed relocation of the Sainsbury distribution centre will add to traffic on the A340.

4. A340 Corridor Proposals

4.1 As outlined above, there are a number of current and future developments involving access onto the A340 in close proximity to one another. The transport aspects of these developments need to have a coordinated approach within a strategic framework. They also need to give full consideration to all modes of travel and promote travel choice. This framework is provided by BEST and the A340 is one of the route corridors already identified within this strategy.

4.2 As well as the issue of new development, the County Council is undertaking a separate Transpol study of Tadley and has a major maintenance scheme programmed for the A339 Ringway North Roundabout junction with the A340 and the section of the A340 Aldermaston Road to the Priestly Road junction. These will also have an impact on this transport corridor (see Figure 2). Similarly, proposals arising from the Basingstoke Passenger Transport study will also benefit the route (see agenda item 4).

4.3 To provide an overall, consistent approach within a sustainable transport context, a study has been undertaken encompassing all of the above issues. This study has taken account of redevelopment opportunities in the area, within the strategic transport framework. Stuart Michael Associates completed the study in September 2001.

4.4 The study included a number of recommendations for the A340 corridor, including the following:

Short Term Measures

(i) footway and cycleway improvements between Ringway and the town centre (North West Quadrant) with bus infrastructure measures;

(ii) installation of traffic signals at the A340/A339 Ringway Roundabout with bus priority;

(iii) widening of the A340 between Priestley Road signals and the A339 Ringway;

(iv) reduction of speed limit to 40 miles per hour between Sherborne St John and the A339 Ringway;

(v) junction improvements in association with proposed developments; and

(vi) review of bus stop facilities, pedestrian crossing arrangements and cycle routes in Tadley.

Medium to Longer Term Measures

(i) consideration of high occupancy vehicle lanes on the A340 approach to A339 Ringway;

(ii) bus service enhancements;

(iii) review of parking policy and strategies;

(iv) junction improvements, eg Bramley Road at Pamber End;

(v) introduction of a cycleway from Tadley to Sherborne St John (part adjacent to A340 and part off-line);

(vi) evaluation of possible diversion of A340 to the west of Sherborne St John; and

(vii) further improvements in Tadley.

5. Establishing the Measures to be Implemented

5.1 The measures recommended by the consultant's report will be considered in the context of the proposed developments. The timing of the developments is important in determining the scale of infrastructure improvements and the implementation programme.

5.2 It is expected that the major maintenance scheme for Aldermaston Road (between Priestley Road and Ringway) will be undertaken during 2002/03, to reconstruct the A340 as a single carriageway road (as at present) on the approach to the A339 Ringway Roundabout. At the same time, provision can be made for installing signals at the Ringway Roundabout, taking into account the addition of bus priority measures through the roundabout. Subsequently, this section could be dualled alongside the reconstructed section to accommodate the proposed North of Popley Way and Park Prewett developments. This would provide additional capacity but could be arranged to include a length of a high occupancy vehicle lane southbound.

5.3 Improvements could be undertaken in tandem with the above elsewhere in the corridor to include comprehensive measures in Tadley and at junctions on the inter-urban section, accompanied by improvements for bus users throughout. Additional measures for cyclists and pedestrians would be incorporated as the proposed developments are implemented, linking with the North West Quadrant measures.

5.4 It is envisaged that further measures associated with the proposed West of Basingstoke MDA would be required after the above proposals are implemented.

6. Conclusion

6.1 The A340 corridor proposals need to be fully compatible with a number of emerging development proposals. Accordingly, a number of recommended measures have been put forward to take into account the transport needs of Tadley, the inter-urban section of the A340 and the urban section in Basingstoke. Once the expected programme of development has been established, implementation of the appropriate transport measures can be undertaken.

Recommendation

That the Panel notes the current position on proposals for the A340 Basingstoke to Tadley corridor outlined in this report.

6732/NR