Archived decisions

Contact: Jonathan Crabb, ext 6047

1. Summary

1.1 The Botley bypass has been included within the major schemes bid and this report provides details on the proposal and sets out a suggested way forward for progressing the development of the scheme. The report seeks the Panel's endorsement of the proposed approach to develop the project.

2. Introduction

2.1 Following the Government's request bids for major transport projects costing over £5 million ready for a 2002/03 or a 2003/04 start, the former Environment Committee resolved to make a preliminary bid in July 2001 to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) for major scheme funding within the Local Transport Plan period (to 2005/06). This bid covered, in order of priority, Chickenhall Lane link road in Eastleigh, Botley bypass, Strategic Park-and-Ride and possibly a bus purchase for the A3 corridor, if considered appropriate by the Government office. Chickenhall Lane link road is considered in another report elsewhere on the agenda.

2.2 The County Council has given early notification that it is seeking funding of approximately £18 million for the implementation of a bypass at Botley, as illustrated on the attached plan. The scheme could be constructed during 2004/05.

2.3 A formal detailed submission for consideration by the DTLR will be submitted at a later date.

3. The Proposal

3.1 Botley is located on the A334 some five miles from the centre of Southampton to the west and eight miles from Fareham to the east. From the centre of the village the B3354 connects Botley to Eastleigh and Winchester to the north. The village lies within the Hamble Valley.

3.2 Botley is experiencing transport and environmental problems caused by the volume of traffic and heavy goods vehicles that pass through the Village Square. If trends in vehicle ownership continue to grow in the future, the problems are likely to become more severe.

3.3 The route of the proposed bypass generally follows the alignment of Woodhouse Lane from the A334 Maypole Roundabout for a distance of approximately one kilometre to a new roundabout. The route turns south-eastwards from this roundabout running parallel to the Eastleigh-Fareham railway line for approximately 1.3 kilometres to a new bridge over the River Hamble. The route swings more to the south following the bridge and rejoins the A334 at its junction with the A3051.

3.4 A bypass route has been safeguarded by the County Council since 1988, now included as Policy T16 in the County Structure Plan (Review) 2001-2011, and the current Eastleigh Borough Local Plan includes a policy for the safeguarding of the bypass (Policy 64T). In addition, its First Deposit reiterates Policy T16 in the County Structure Plan (Review) in terms of safeguarding land for the bypass.

4. Estimated Cost

4.1 The current cost estimate for the whole bypass package is approximately £18 million. A detailed soil survey has been commissioned, the results of which could affect the costs. A breakdown of the costs, showing each component, plus a time profile for the expenditure will be provided for the formal submission.

4.2 An integral part of the bypass scheme will be works in Botley village to create a better facility for bus-pedestrian-cycle interchange as part of a general transport led improvement to the village centre. An environmental improvement scheme has already been undertaken in The Square, providing enhanced paved areas, regulated parking areas and laybys for buses and service vehicles. A pelican crossing has been incorporated across the A334.

4.3 Consideration will also need to be given to the approach roads to the bypass to optimise its effectiveness. This will especially apply to the western link of the A334 towards junction 7 of the M27.

5. Scheme Objectives

5.1 The objectives of the schemes are as follows, to:

(i) remove through traffic from the village centre and provide suitable traffic calming measures to slow speeds;

(ii) provide a transportation-led improvement to the village centre to enable pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users easy and safe access;

(iii) ensure the approach roads to the bypass are adequate; and

(iv) improve environmental conditions in the central area of Botley by reducing noise and pollution.

5.2 No recent traffic modelling is available for Botley bypass but the intention is to remove all through traffic from the village, leaving only local traffic plus public transport. The traffic flows on the A334 in the village will be dramatically reduced and conditions improved for pedestrians and cyclists, reinforced by traffic management measures.

5.3 The development of the Botley Bypass will assist travel movements around Botley, however its completion may lead to a greater demand for the construction of Whiteley Way.

5.4 All previous studies relating to the proposed Botley bypass precede the latest guidance as given in both the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and the DTLR's 'Guidance on the Methodology for Multi-Modal Studies' and will need to be revisited.

5.5 The draft programme for the bypass is as follows:

(i) 2002: revisit and update all environmental, traffic and cost benefit studies;

(ii) spring 2003: planning permission process;

(iii) summer 2003 to spring 2005: purchase of necessary land;

(iv) summer 2005: amend detail design and tender process;

(v) autumn 2005 to summer 2007: main contract works;

(vi) autumn 2007: open bypass to traffic; and

(vii) 2007/08: Botley village centre environmental, public transport and road safety improvements (to be completed following opening of the bypass).

5.6 The outcome of the major schemes bid will be known in December 2001. The evaluation document submitted with the bid is available for information.

6. The Way Forward

6.1 To progress the development of this scheme a number of areas of work are required to be undertaken. These include:

(i) studies to assess the route in line with the latest guidance in both the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and the DTLR's 'Guidance on the Methodology for Multi-Modal Studies';

(ii) engineering resources secured to undertake feasibility work;

(iii) consultations undertaken with interested parties; and

(iv) negotiations undertaken with third party land interests to progress the development.

6.2 The budgetary implications of progressing the works will be reported to a future meeting of the Panel.

7. Conclusion

7.1 The outcome of the major schemes bid will be known in December 2001, and will be reported to the next meeting of this Panel. To facilitate the development of the bypass there is a significant amount of work to be carried out as detailed above.

Recommendation

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.

6764/JC