Archived decisions

Contact: Nick Richardson, ext 5429

1. Summary

1.1 The A30 between Basingstoke town centre and M3 Junction 7 forms a key corridor within the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport (BEST). The character of this main arterial route is moving from a high speed route for traffic towards the creation of a more balanced approach with reduced traffic speeds, junction alterations with signals, crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, new off-carriageway cycle routes and comprehensive traffic calming between Ringway and the town centre.

2. Measures Introduced to Date

2.1 A number of measures have been introduced along the A30 corridor or are to be implemented in the short term, including:

(i) Traffic Regulation Orders to reduce traffic speeds;

(ii) Toucan crossing at Homesteads Road;

(iii) traffic calming between Winchester Road Roundabout and Winton Square;

(iv) addition of new white lining between Wallop Drive and Brighton Hill Roundabout to assist in speed reduction; and

(v) upgrading of footpath between Kempshott Roundabout and Brighton Hill (linking to Pack Lane) to create an off-carriageway cycle route.

2.2 A survey of vehicle speeds undertaken before and after the new speed regime was introduced indicated that overall speeds have been reduced, although there are some exceptions (see attached location plan). The survey also indicates that the reduction in speed limits has been successful and will be reinforced by further measures as they are implemented.

3. Options to be Considered

3.1 A number of options are being considered to meet the overall objectives for the corridor, including:

(i) investigation of the options for junction alterations at the A30/A30 junction (0.4 kilometres from M3 Junction 7) (implementation 2005/06);

(ii) implementation of an access for buses and emergency vehicles only at Kempshott Lane (Wallop Drive Roundabout) with appropriate control mechanism, eg rising bollards;

(iii) implementation of the Kempshott (Sainsbury) to West Ham cycle route (2003/04);

(iv) junction alteration at Kempshott Roundabout to incorporate traffic signals (2002/03);

(v) traffic calming in residential roads in the corridor (linked with other measures and designed to target rat-running and reduce vehicle speeds) (2003/04);

(vi) further improvements for cyclists and pedestrians;

(vii) consideration of Brighton Hill Roundabout options, including a re-casting of the junction arrangements as an alternative to a traffic signal installation;

(viii) study to be undertaken to investigate traffic signal installations at Brighton Hill Roundabout and Ringway Roundabout and the dual carriageway section between them, incorporating possible priority lane and cycle facilities (possible implementation 2003/04);

(ix) further detailed investigation of a priority lane for vehicles carrying two or more people between Wallop Drive Roundabout, Kempshott Roundabout and Brighton Hill Roundabout (possible implementation 2002/03); and

(x) introduction of a contra-flow bus lane in New Street from the town centre (Timberlake Road) to the New Street/Winchester Road junction (2002/03).

3.2 A monitoring strategy will be devised to record the impact of each element of the overall scheme before and after implementation.

3.3 An outline of the proposed implementation programme is set out in Appendix 1, with an investment programme attached as Appendix 2.

3.4 Some of the measures listed above are sizeable in terms of their cost and potential benefits. While some of the larger schemes may not be implemented easily, the benefits to the corridor as a whole could be considerable. To meet Government objectives, the measures implemented in the corridor will be required to demonstrate how traffic speeds and flows have changed and how local people have been encouraged to use alternatives to the car.

4. Public Consultation

4.1 Public consultation on the overall concept for the A30 corridor was undertaken during October and November 2000. The public broadly supported the proposals, including reductions in speed limits and the introduction of traffic signals at key junctions.

4.2 For particular proposals, segregated cycle measures rather than measures on the carriageway were preferred and there was support for pedestrian crossings and public transport improvements. The level of support for priority lanes was less clear from the consultation, particularly with respect to car sharing and journeys to school.

4.3 Following the consultation, further consideration has been given to the provision of off-carriageway cycling with the development of the Kempshott Roundabout to Brighton Hill route, the opening of the Beggarwood Lane to Kempshott cycle route and the planned Kempshott to West Ham cycle route.

4.4 The concept of priority lanes will be investigated in further detail. The schemes proposed do not preclude the subsequent introduction of priority lanes within the existing carriageway. Further statistical analysis will be required to assess the use of any priority lane, the types of traffic using it and the effect of any displaced traffic. A Member visit to South Gloucestershire and Bristol on 4 September 2001 demonstrated a priority `2+' lane in operation, similar to the example on Stanningly Road in Leeds. The South Gloucestershire scheme operates on a key route into Bristol and has demonstrated improvements in journey times for all road users. It was found that approximately half the number of people using the route used the `2+' lane.

4.5 Possible revised arrangements at the A30/A30 junction near M3 Junction 7 will be considered in due course in view of comments received. Further public consultation will take place once details of particular schemes have been determined.

5. Conclusion

5.1 Considerable progress has been made implementing measures in the A30 corridor, endorsed by public consultation. Further measures are proposed for which preliminary work is under way, notably the redesign of the Kempshott Roundabout and investigation of the Brighton Hill Roundabout to Winchester Road Roundabout section. Further work will be undertaken regarding other proposals in due course.

Recommendation

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment that the investment programme for the A30 Basingstoke to M3 Junction 7 corridor, proposed in this report, be approved.

6730/NR