Archived decisions

Contact: Peter Syddall, ext 6050

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides an update on the 2001/02 programme and specific proposals within the South East Hampshire Transport Strategy (SEHTS) area. Members are asked to:

(i) recommend that the initiative for improved bus services to Whiteley and Segensworth be taken forward; and

(ii) note progress on cycle measures on the A27 east of Delme roundabout.

2. 2001/02 Programme

2.1 The 2001/02 SEHTS programme in the County Council's administrative area, as recommended for endorsement at the last meeting of the Panel, is as follows:

(i) Fareham-Gosport peninsula (improvements at Fareham and Gosport bus stations, bus stops and Gosport ferry);

(ii) A27 east of Delme roundabout (cycle routes);

(iii) Fareham rail station improvements;

(iv) Fareham urban centre (traffic management, social inclusion, town centre signing strategy);

(v) Gosport urban centre (closed circuit television, pedestrian/cycle network, traffic management, social inclusion);

(vi) Havant urban centre (Hayling Billy cycle route);

(vii) Leigh Park to Havant bus route enhancements;

(viii) Lee-on-the-Solent to Browndown cycle route;

(ix) minor pedestrian, cycle and environmental improvements; and

(x) school travel measures.

3. Havant Bus Station

3.1 The need to enhance the amenities and access at the bus station has been discussed previously by the Panel. An informal brief has been prepared by County and Borough Council officers to guide the study, which is to be undertaken by the County Council's partnering consultants W S Atkins. The study has now commenced and there will be an initial round of consultations with relevant Members and other interested parties to identify specific issues. The Borough Council is providing a contribution of £5,000 towards the cost of the study and it is anticipated that it will be completed in spring 2002.

4. Urban Bus Challenge Bid

4.1 On 2 November 2001 the County Council heard that its bid to the Urban Bus Challenge Fund for a project called `The Leigh Links' was successful. This was the only successful bid in South East England. The funding is for capital expenditure and revenue costs for two years. The County Council will purchase two wheelchair-accessible minibuses which will be operated by the successful tenderer for the proposed services. There will be a mixture of semi-scheduled and demand-responsive services. For the demand-responsive journeys, bookings will be made through a Demand Call Centre to be established at Winchester.

4.2 There are five main objectives to the project:

(i) The Leigh Link - new direct transport links between Leigh Park and those employment areas which currently are not easily accessible by public transport, including New Lane Industrial Estate and Broadmarsh Business Park.

(ii) Healthlink - regular but flexible direct accessible service from Leigh Park to Queen Alexandra Hospital with a pre-booked option to travel to Queen Mary's Hospital.

(iii) Leisurelink - fully demand responsive service operating on Friday and Saturday evenings linking West Leigh and Leigh Park to Havant Leisure Centre and Port Solent Multiplex.

(iv) Infolink - improved provision of public transport information in Leigh Park and at Havant bus station.

(v) Faresavers - two subsidised fares initiatives will be developed. One will be targeted at young people accessing employment and the other a `carnet' (book of tickets) type scheme with Stagecoach.

5. Havant Rail Station Footbridge

5.1 As Members may recall, the condition of this footbridge was discussed at the last meeting. The costs and practicalities of refurbishing or replacing the existing structure have been examined further. It appears that the refurbishment costs would be significant and be in the order of £500,000. The replacement cost is now estimated to be in the region of £2 million. The high cost of replacement is due in part to the need to meet current design standards. In turn these design standards would necessitate a larger structure which could have impact on adjoining land.

5.2 In addition, since the last Panel meeting there has been a meeting of County and Borough Council officers, representatives of Railtrack and David Willetts, MP about the bridge and its condition. Mr Willetts has asked for a further meeting on 18 January 2002 to discuss a way forward on this issue which the Executive Member for Environment will attend.

6. A27 Cycle Route Delme - Portchester to Portsmouth

6.1 Design work has been progressing on the off-road cycle routes leading to Cams Hill School from Delme roundabout/Cams Hill and from Beaulieu Avenue. There have been recent public consultations (16 and 17 November 2001) and discussion with the County Council and Borough Council local Members regarding the proposals. An initial, oral feedback will be given at the meeting. This scheme is due to be implemented in spring 2002.

6.2 Future years of the SEHTS programme allow for further cycle provision and possibly bus measures on this section of the A27 (and subsequently the section west of Segensworth). It is considered important to assess the need and practicalities of measures such as bus lanes in parallel with examining further cycle provision as each may have implications for the other. Discussions will be held with Portsmouth City Council officers to ensure that there is coordination between the authorities and the Borough Council on developing such measures. A report on further proposals for the A27 will be submitted to the Panel next year.

7. Whiteley/Segensworth Bus Initiative

7.1 There has been considerable discussion with employers at Whiteley and Segensworth in an effort to develop improved bus services to the area. Companies have cooperated in distributing questionnaires to employees to gauge the level of support for better services and discount fares. The overall response to the questionnaire was encouraging, with some 400 employees indicating a positive interest in committing themselves to improved services if provided.

7.2 The demand, however, is spread across a relatively wide area and has led to consideration of innovative proposals in addition to normal `scheduled' services. These could involve `demand-responsive transport' to be tailored to the needs of a targeted group of passengers. It is considered from initial examination of the responses from employees that the corridor between Whiteley/Segensworth and south Fareham/Gosport has a relatively high potential demand and could be developed as a `pilot' scheme to be followed by others as interest is stimulated. Also, the potential for links between Whiteley/Segensworth and Fareham rail and bus stations will be assessed further in the light of responses to the employees' questionnaire. It is proposed that this initiative be taken forward and progress be reported to the next meeting of the Panel.

Recommendations

1. 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.

2. That progress on cycle measures for the A27 east of Delme roundabout be noted.

6773/PCS