Contact: Nick Richardson, ext 5429

1. Summary

1.1 A public consultation exercise was undertaken regarding proposed improvements at the junction of Badger Farm Road/Oliver's Battery Road as part of the Winchester Movement and Access Plan (WMAP). The scheme was designed to install traffic signals to help traffic movements, cyclists, buses and pedestrians, particularly elderly people and people with mobility impairments. The consultation indicated that a majority of local people support the proposed scheme although some modifications to the design have been made in the light of comments received.

2. Introduction

2.1 The Badger Farm Road/Oliver's Battery Road junction is currently a priority junction with a subway for pedestrians. Although the subway has steps and a ramp on the north side, only steps exist on the south side, making it difficult to use for some people. Badger Farm Road was constructed in the 1970s and the junction arrangements with Oliver's Battery Road resulted in a layout with limited space. Traffic flows on Badger Farm Road total around 18,000 vehicles daily (two-way), of which 2,350 are between 8 am and 10 am. The maximum traffic flow is between 5 pm and 6 pm with nearly 1,600 vehicles (two-way).

2.2 Personal injury accidents at the junction recorded over the last three years have involved collisions with cyclists, motorcyclists, rear end shunts and turning vehicles. Four accidents were slight and one serious. This is not an exceptional record; however, it does not take into account damage only incidents and near misses.

2.3 Local people have expressed concerns on a range of issues. Motorists find it increasingly difficult to turn into Badger Farm Road from Oliver's Battery due to the increasing level and speed of traffic. At peak times, queueing towards the city centre creates a hazard with the junction being blocked, reducing visibility for turning traffic. Space for pedestrians is limited at the junction and many people avoid using the subway, opting to divert around the safety barriers to cross the road. A high proportion of local people are elderly or have mobility problems and are unable or unwilling to use the subway. Children travelling to school and parents with small children feel vulnerable at the junction due to the restricted footway width, particularly because the footway at the corner is frequently overrun by vehicles. The scheme supports walking and cycling to school, particularly helping Oliver's Battery Primary School as part of a Safer Routes to School project.

3. Proposed Scheme

3.1 The proposed improvement scheme is shown on the attached plan. It involves the introduction of traffic signals at the junction, incorporating the following:

(i) more space at the junction to allow larger vehicles to turn safely into Oliver's Battery;

(ii) exclusive signal phase for cyclists from Oliver's Battery Road North to South as part of a cycle route from Romsey Road (at Stanmore Lane) to Hursley;

(iii) at grade signal crossing of Badger Farm Road for pedestrians, particularly people with mobility impairments;

(iv) benefits for children walking and cycling to school (Oliver's Battery Primary, St Peter's RC Primary and Kings' Schools);

(v) existing subway to be filled in to allow creation of new links for cyclists and soft landscaping; and

(vi) existing left turn lane from Badger Farm Road into Oliver's Battery Road South to be retained for left turns and straight on for buses only.

3.2 The WMAP investment programme, part of the Hampshire Local Transport Plan 2001-2006, includes funding for this scheme. It is expected that implementation could take place in 2002. Some minor land acquisition would be required to improve the turning radius at the junction but is anticipated that this can be achieved with the full cooperation of the property owner in question.

4. Public Consultation

4.1 An exhibition of the proposals was held on Friday, 27 July (5 pm to 8 pm) and Saturday, 28 July (10 am to 5 pm) at St Mark's Church Hall, Oliver's Battery and on Wednesday, 1 August (9 am to 6 pm) at Sainsbury's Superstore, Badger Farm. Around 2,000 leaflets advertising the consultation were distributed to households in Oliver's Battery, Badger Farm and the Oliver's Battery Road North area. Individual letters explaining the proposed scheme were sent to those households immediately adjacent to the junction, inviting detailed discussion if required. Letters were also sent to interested parties, including parish councils. At the Oliver's Battery Annual Parish Meeting on 8 May 2001 the purpose of the scheme and the objectives of WMAP were outlined and considerable support was expressed.

4.2 Over 300 people attended the exhibitions and 313 questionnaire responses were received (two thirds arising from the Oliver's Battery exhibition). These are summarised in the table below and the attached appendix. The proposal generated considerable debate locally and people were generally pleased that their views had been invited. The cost of advertising and mounting the consultation and the subsequent analysis was approximately £2,000.

5. Outcome of Consultation

5.1 In total 66% of people supported the scheme, 7% were neutral and 27% did not support the scheme. This can be sub-divided according to where respondents live, as shown in the table below. Clear support was evident from Oliver's Battery and Badger Farm residents. The level of opposition to the scheme was greatest from Oliver's Battery Road North residents because of concerns over cyclists and the retention of the subway, although even of these residents more supported the scheme than were against it.

Badger Farm Road/Oliver's Battery Road Junction Improvement

Public Consultation Questionnaire Responses by Area

5.2 A large number of comments were received, including use of the bus lane by cyclists, possible traffic queueing, safer cycling, reducing traffic speeds, banning right turns from Oliver's Battery Road South, misuse of the cycle facility by motorcyclists, retaining the subway, benefits for disabled people, congestion caused by traffic signals at Romsey Road/Battery Hill junction, the lack of visibility caused by using the parking area in Oliver's Battery Road South, bus service improvements, consideration of a roundabout and the reopening of Oliver's Battery Road North as a through route. A number of respondents expressed strong support for the proposed scheme.

5.3 A total of 12 items of correspondence were received, including letters from Oliver's Battery Parish Council, Badger Farm Parish Council, Hampshire Cycling and individuals. Comments included suggestions regarding the potential slowing of traffic, cycle routes, detailed suggestions on the cycling elements of the design, the proposed role of the yellow box marking, providing a footbridge and the possible retention of the subway. Oliver's Battery Parish Council expressed general support for the scheme but Badger Farm Parish Council objected, mainly on the grounds that traffic signals would limit traffic capacity. The need for the scheme was questioned, given that the improvements for pedestrian, cyclists and mobility impaired people should not compromise traffic movements. City and County Council local Members for Badger Farm and Oliver's Battery were consulted on the scheme.

5.4 People who did not support the scheme provided their reasons. These mainly concerned expectations of longer traffic queues and retention of the subway. Other comments suggested that the number of cyclists is not sufficient to make better provision for them, there is no need to change the existing arrangements, relocating traffic to Millers Lane and Hursley, and concerns about possible development in Oliver's Battery.

5.5 Practical trials with a low-floor bus demonstrated the difficulties of negotiating the junction by large vehicles; many of these will be ameliorated by the proposed scheme. Stagecoach in Hampshire has expressed the view that the proposed scheme will assist bus movements.

5.6 The scheme includes the acquisition of a small amount of land from No. 80 Oliver's Battery Road South so that the corner of the footway can be eased, thus improving the turn for larger vehicles and creating improved space for pedestrians. The owner of the property has expressed support for the scheme, given the restrictive access to the property and the relative safety the scheme offers. Appropriate remedial landscaping can be accommodated in the design. However, the owners of No. 73 Oliver's Battery Road South have expressed strong objections to the scheme, based mainly on the relocation of queuing traffic due to the proposed signals and the resultant impact on the property in terms of the proximity of traffic and access arrangements.

6. Design Amendments

6.1 In the light of further technical work and comments received, some amendments have been made to the design presented at the consultation. The indications of bus lanes have been altered to allow access by all vehicles on the approach to Pitt Roundabout (as at present) and to allow left turning vehicles and buses going straight on to use the left lane approaching the junction from Badger Farm. Adjustments have been made to the positioning of the cycle facilities on the north side. Significantly, the subway has been retained in the design by replacing the existing steps with steeper steps, to allow the addition of the at grade crossing facility. This maintains the subway and provides a choice between the use of the subway or the crossing for pedestrians.

7. Conclusion

7.1 The proposed scheme for the Badger Farm Road/Oliver's Battery Road junction generated many responses at the public consultation held in July/August 2001. Some amendments have been made to the design presented, including retention of the subway, and it is intended to take the scheme forward for implementation in 2002.

Recommendations

1. That the outcome of the public consultation on the Badger Farm Road/ Oliver's Battery Road junction improvement scheme be noted.

2. That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment that implementation of the scheme be approved.

6823/NR

APPENDIX

Badger Farm Road/Oliver's Battery Road Junction Improvement Scheme

Public Consultation 27-28 July and 1 August 2001 Questionnaire Responses