AT A MEETING of COUNTY COUNCIL and DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES on the SOUTHAMPTON AREA TRANSPORT STRATEGY JOINT MEMBERS PANEL held at The Castle, Winchester on Wednesday 21 November 2001.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (in the Chair); C.R.H. Davidovitz; A.G. Dowden; P. Luffman.

Eastleigh Borough Council

Councillor P. Spearey

New Forest District Council

Councillor F.R. Harrison.

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillors: N.C. Lewis; D.G.C. Roach; J.E. Taylor.

1. MINUTES

Members noted the Minutes of the meeting of the Southampton Area Transport Strategy Joint Members Panel held on 26 July 2001.

2. FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE PANEL

The County Surveyor reported that, as part of the ongoing monitoring of the operation of the Transportation Panels, informal discussions had been held with representatives of Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils as a result of which there was general consensus that there would be advantage in separating the key issues of strategic planning and project implementation, and allowing each Highway Authority to manage the implementation side of schemes within its area. Whilst it would be necessary therefore to develop a new mechanism for strategic highways planning on a joint basis, it was proposed that the City Councils should cease membership of, respectively, the Southampton Area Transport Strategy Joint Members Panel and the South East Hampshire Transportation Strategy Joint Members Panel. The proposals would be developed and submitted to the Executive Member for Environment, and subject to his approval, then, formally, to the two Cities. Members noted the position.

3. SOUTH HAMPSHIRE STUDY - TRANSPORT

Members considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 3 in the Minute Book) detailing the background and progress to date on the South Hampshire Study.


RESOLVED:

That the proposed approach set out in section 3 of the report be noted.

4. STRATEGY PROGRESS AND ISSUES

Members considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 4 in the Minute Book) detailing progress on the 2001/02 Southampton Area Transport Strategy Programme and other key issues and schemes. The following matters arose (inter alia) during the course of the ensuing discussion:-

(i) Eastleigh Bus Quality Partnership and Bus Station Improvement

In answer to questions, the County Surveyor reported that standardised design criteria had been agreed in respect of the roadside infrastructure included in the scheme.


(ii) Romsey and Eastleigh Schools Transport Plans

In answer to questions, the Chairman reported that work was proceeding as expeditiously as possible on the schemes, but reminded Members of the significant size of the total programme proposed.


(iii) Chandlers Ford Railway Station

The County Surveyor answered detailed questions from Members on the possible reopening of Chandlers Ford Railway Station and in doing so sought to allay concerns at potential car parking problems in and around the Station.


(iv) Totton Town Centre

There was broad support for the outline proposals although Members stressed the key importance of holding properly inclusive consultations in the matter.


(v) A Strategic Plan for the Hamble Peninsula and River

Members noted that additional consultations were planned for late November/ early December.

RESOLVED:

That the position on the schemes within the Capital Programme and the proposed way forward for the Romsey Movement and Access Strategy be supported.

5. BOTLEY BYPASS

Members considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on proposals for progressing the development of the Botley Bypass project.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment

That the approach proposed in the report to develop the Botley Bypass project be approved.

6. CHICKENHALL LANE LINK ROAD, EASTLEIGH

Members considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the current position on the Chickenhall Lane Link Road Major Schemes funding bid outlined to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions prior to full submission in 2002.

RESOLVED:

That the following RECOMMENDATIONS be submitted to the Executive Member for Environment


(i) That approval be given to the preparation of a detailed design for the Chickenhall Lane Link Road that gives due consideration to the outcome of any legal challenge.


(ii) That the British Airports Authority, Eastleigh Borough Council, the Government Office for the South East and the County Council seek to find an amicable solution to the development of the scheme.

7. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

Members considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which provided an update on the delivery of the County Council's first Annual Progress Report. Further to his paper, the County Surveyor reported on the submission of a supplementary bid for an air quality monitoring plan in the Rushmoor area, and clarified issues relating to the de-trunking of the A36.

RESOLVED:

That the report on the delivery of the Local Transport Plan be noted.

8. SOUTH COAST CORRIDOR MULTI-MODAL STUDY

Members considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on progress to date on the South Coast Corridor Multi-Modal Study.

RESOLVED:

That the progress on the South Coast Corridor Multi-Modal Study be noted.

9. TEST VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL DECRIMINALISATION OF ON-STREET PARKING ENFORCEMENT

Members considered the report of the Head of Technical Services, Test Valley Borough Council (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on proposals to implement a special parking area covering the Borough, and associated funding requests.

RESOLVED:

That the following RECOMMENDATIONS be submitted to the Executive Member for Environment.

(i) That the joint funding of the setting up of a special parking area covering the Test Valley Borough area be supported.


(ii) That the funding be subject to incorporation into the Borough and County Council's Capital Programmes when considered in January 2002.

10. HEDGE END AREA TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY

(With the concurrence of the Chairman under Section 100 (B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, this matter was included on the agenda to ensure Members were brought up to date on the continuing progress of the development of the schemes to be delivered in the Hedge End area).

Members considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on continuing progress on the development of schemes to be delivered in the Hedge End area.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

11. NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting of the Panel be held on Thursday 7 March 2002 at 10.00 a.m. at The Castle, Winchester.

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