AT A MEETING of the SOUTH EAST HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANEL (Hampshire and District representatives) held on Thursday, 22 November 2001 at the Civic Offices, Fareham Borough Council.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); Mrs E.M. Byrom; P. Luffman; R.H. Price, JP; Miss J.D. Wride

Councillors T.G. Knight and R.C. McIntosh attended as observers.

Havant Borough Council

Councillors: D.M. Farrow; G. Fulcher; K. Moss; J. Worley

East Hampshire District Council

Councillors: P. Bradbury; Mrs D. Denston; K. Graham

Fareham Borough Council

Councillors: Mrs D. Burton-Jenkins; R. Ellis; M.F. Godrich; A. Mandry

Gosport Borough Council

Councillors: Mrs I. Binfield; P. Edgar; A. Hayward

Members observed one minute's silence in memory of Councillor S. Leyland who passed away earlier this month.

12. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2001 (Item 1 in the Minute Book) were noted by the Panel.

Arising thereon:-

Minute 5(ii) - in answer to Members' questions, the County Surveyor reported that in respect of the Waterlooville Urban Centre Scheme (London Road/Chapel Lane), some delay was being experienced. A letter of explanation would be sent to Havant Borough Council Members.

13. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman confirmed that a brief update on the Light Rapid Transit project would be delivered at forthcoming meetings to ensure Members were kept informed of the latest developments.

A meeting of the South Hampshire Rapid Transit Development Panel (Phase I) would be convened in early 2002, probably February.

A meeting of the South Hampshire Rapid Transit Future Developments Panel would be confirmed under the item A3 Public Transport Corridor.

14. 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 planning and 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, SATS and SEHTS. Proposals would be developed and submitted to the Executive Member for Environment, and subject to his approval, then formally to the two Cities.

15. PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

The Committee considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 3 in the Minute Book). A brief introduction to each of the schemes detailed in the report was given. Members' questions were answered and in particular, it was noted that a detailed plan was available for inspection in respect of the A27 cycle route Delme - Portchester to Portsmouth.

RESOLVED:

(i) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment
that the initiative for improved bus services between Whiteley/Segensworth and the Fareham/Gosport peninsula be taken forward and progress be reported to the Panel.


An amendment to recommendation 2 was noted as follows:-


(ii) That the remainder of the report be noted.

16. FAREHAM-GOSPORT PENINSULA ACCESSIBILITY STUDY

The Committee considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 4 in the Minute Book). The County Surveyor reported that an informal meeting had been held on 9 October 2001 to receive a presentation from consultants W.S. Atkins in respect of this study. Disappointment was registered by a Fareham Borough Councillor concerning the lack of measures in respect of Quay Street roundabout, however, the County Surveyor emphasised that many of the measures contained in the consultants' recommended strategy could be implemented in the short term, subject to further study.

RESOLVED:

(i) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment
that the proposals put forward in the Fareham-Gosport Peninsula Accessibility Study be developed and prepared for implementation through the South East Hampshire Transport Strategy programme. In particular, preparatory design work should be commenced on proposals for a Stubbington Bypass, including the definition of the land to be safeguarded for the scheme, and associated improvements to the surrounding transport network.


(ii) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment
that Fareham Borough Council be requested to take into account the proposals for a Stubbington Bypass in the preparation of the review of its Local Plan.


(iii) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment
that options to modify Quay Street roundabout not be investigated further at this time.

17. A3 PUBLIC TRANSPORT CORRIDOR

The Committee considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 5 in the Minute Book). The Chairman proposed that a meeting of the South Hampshire Rapid Transit Future Developments Panel be convened for Wednesday 9 January 2002.

A number of queries were raised by Members in respect of:-

· Section 1 Bus Shelters


· Security and vandalism at stops


· Public exhibition - Purbrook


· Park and Ride - Horndean


It was confirmed that detailed questions could be asked at the meeting on 9 January 2002.

Amendments to the reports recommendations were noted as follows:

RESOLVED:


(i) That the progress as detailed in the report be noted.


(ii) That the South Hampshire Rapid Transit Future Developments Panel would meet on Wednesday 9 January 2002, at 1.30 p.m. at the offices of Havant Borough Council. Papers for the meeting would follow in the usual way approximately one week prior.

17. WEST OF WATERLOOVILLE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT AREA - TRANSPORT ISSUES

The Committee considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 6 in the Minute Book). Councillor Mrs Burton-Jenkins declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of this item.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

18. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 7 in the Minute Book). The County Surveyor reported that the Annual Progress Report for the Local Transport Plan, which is now a statutory requirement, was submitted on 31 August 2001.

In respect of paragraph 3.3 (iii), the County Surveyor reported that the County Council had entered discussions with the Government Office for the South East (GOSE). A meeting with GOSE, the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), the strategic Highway Authorities and the strategic rail authorities was being progressed.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

19. SOUTH HAMPSHIRE STUDY - TRANSPORT

The Committee considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 8 in the Minute Book). The County Surveyor summarised the contents of the report and answered Members' questions.

RESOLVED:

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

20. PROJECT APPRAISAL : GOSPORT IMPROVEMENTS, VARIOUS

With the concurrence of the Chairman under Section 100B(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 Gosport area.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment that the project appraisal be approved.

21. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Panel would be held on Thursday 14 March 2002, 10.00 a.m. at the offices of Havant Borough Council. Papers for the meeting would follow in the usual way approximately one week prior.

8KM931101