Contact: Nick Richardson, ext 5429

1. Summary

1.1 A public consultation exercise was undertaken regarding proposed improvements at the Stockbridge Road/Stoney Lane/Dean Lane junctions as part of the Winchester Movement and Access Plan (WMAP). The scheme was designed to improve pedestrian crossing arrangements and reduce traffic speeds on the approach to the city. The consultation indicated that a majority (57%) of respondents supported Option 4, the design retaining the central islands with a controlled signal crossing.

2. Introduction

2.1 The section of Stockbridge Road in the vicinity of Teg Down and Weeke is characterised by a straight, wide approach with relatively high levels of local activity, particularly pedestrian movements. Concerns have been expressed for many years over traffic speeds and the need to improve facilities for pedestrians, particularly elderly people, those with mobility impairments and children walking to school.

2.2 An initial public consultation exercise held in December 2000 provided local people with the opportunity to express their views on a scheme design for the junctions. The design put forward involved narrowing Stockbridge Road. The result of this consultation was divided, with some people supporting the scheme and others suggesting that the existing central islands should be retained.

2.3 A further public consultation was arranged which took into account the views expressed at the initial consultation. The second event involved three scheme options and the public's views were again invited.

3. Scheme Options

3.1 Three scheme designs have been considered for the junctions, forming the basis for the July 2001 consultation. All three options would be associated with works to reduce the carriageway width visually between the Stoney Lane junction and the Harestock Road junction with Stockbridge Road and the construction of a gateway feature at the edge of the urban area. This would help in reducing traffic speeds on the approach to the junctions. It is expected that construction of the chosen option could commence in spring 2002.

3.2 Calculations to ascertain the need for a pedestrian crossing facility justify a crossing for Stockbridge Road near the Stoney Lane junction. A PV² value of 2.062 x 10⁸ was calculated, a value well in excess of the threshold of 1.000 x 10⁸.

3.3 The first scheme, Option 3, was a variation on the scheme put forward at the December 2000 consultation but with some of the cycle facilities removed, following comments made, and other minor alterations (see Figure 1). The features of the scheme include:

(i) new pelican crossing on Stockbridge Road;

(ii) reduced width of Stockbridge Road;

(iii) widened pedestrian footways;

(iv) removing existing central islands;

(v) new mini-roundabout at Stoney Lane junction;

(vi) new segregated cycle route to Dean Lane alongside open space;

(vii) relocating inbound bus stop towards Weeke Manor Close; and

(viii) new advisory cycle lane past petrol station.

3.4 Strong opinion was expressed regarding the retention of the central islands in Stockbridge Road and accordingly a design was presented - Option 4 (see Figure 2) - which featured the following:

(i) new staggered pelican crossing on Stockbridge Road;

(ii) reduced carriageway width of Stockbridge Road;

(iii) widened pedestrian footways;

(iv) retaining and improving existing central islands;

(v) new mini-roundabout at Stoney Lane junction;

(vi) new segregated cycle route to Dean Lane alongside open space; and

(vii) inbound bus stop relocated towards Weeke Manor Close.

3.5 A simpler scheme was also designed with the central islands retained but no signal controlled crossing included. The features of Option 5 (see Figure 3) included:

(i) reduced carriageway width of Stockbridge Road;

(ii) widened pedestrian footways;

(iii) retaining and improving existing central islands;

(iv) retaining existing crossing arrangements;

(v) new mini-roundabout at Stoney Lane junction;

(vi) new segregated cycle route to Dean Lane alongside open space; and

(vii) retaining existing bus stops in Stockbridge Road.

4. July 2001 Consultation

4.1 A public exhibition of the three scheme options described above was held at the Adult Education Centre, Stoney Lane on Tuesday, 17 July (2 pm to 6 pm), Wednesday, 18 July (2 pm to 8 pm) and Thursday, 19 July (2 pm to 6 pm). Views were invited on the scheme options and the public was asked to express a preference for one of the three schemes. Local people were made aware of the consultation event through the local press and the distribution of around 3,500 leaflets to households in Weeke, Harestock and Teg Down.

4.2 Several hundred people visited the exhibitions and 320 questionnaire responses were received. The responses are detailed in the table below.

Stockbridge Road/Stoney Lane/Dean Lane Junction Improvement Scheme

Public Consultation 17-19 July 2001 Questionnaire Responses

		Support for scheme
Option 3	Central islands removed with new pelican crossing	6%
Option 4	Central islands retained with new pelican crossing	57%
Option 5	Central islands retained without pelican crossing	30%
None	No change to the existing arrangements	7%

4.3 The responses indicated that most people preferred to retain the central islands (Options 4 and 5) and welcomed the introduction of a signal controlled crossing. Overall, 57% of respondents supported Option 4.

4.4 Most respondents took the opportunity to provide additional comments. These expressed support for and against scheme options or elements of them. Concerns were expressed about high vehicle speeds, the potential traffic congestion that could arise from reducing road widths, the impact of additional housing development in Teg Down, the relative merits of zebra and signal controlled crossings, mini-roundabout layouts, relocating the inbound bus stop and the possible role for traffic signals at the junctions. Support was expressed for new paving, measures to support journeys to school, reducing traffic speeds and improvements for cyclists. Further suggestions were put forward, including speed-activated warning signs, improved crossing arrangements in Stoney Lane, speed cameras, left turn only from Dean Lane and providing vehicle access to collect mail from the post box.

4.5 In addition, 12 letters were received including comments from Hampshire Cycling and the Winchester City Residents' Association (Traffic and Environmental Sub-Committee). Correspondents provided detailed suggestions regarding the design and other aspects of the proposals, including car parking for the Stoney Lane shops, the provision of additional cycle facilities to link with the proposed Parkside Gardens segregated route, traffic signal controlled junctions, an advisory outbound cycle lane on the carriageway, the possibility of speed cameras and the impact of local development.

5. Scheme Implementation

5.1 It is intended to construct the preferred option in spring/summer 2002. Funding is included in the WMAP programme for 2001/02, with some possible funding from developer contributions. The many comments received have been considered and some elements will be incorporated into the final design as appropriate.

6. Conclusion

6.1 The Stockbridge Road/Stoney Lane/Dean Lane area has been the subject of much debate locally and there was a significant response to the second public consultation exercise. This indicated support for Option 4 which retains the central islands, with the addition of a mini-roundabout at the Stoney Lane junction, a new pelican crossing, relocation of the bus stop and a range of other features to reduce traffic speeds and support walking and cycling.

Recommendations

1. That the Panel notes the outcome of the public consultation on the Stockbridge Road/Stoney Lane/Dean Lane junction improvement scheme.

2. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment that implementation of the scheme based on Option 4 of the plans presented at the public consultation in July 2001 be approved.

6828/NR