Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

15 January 2002

Project Appraisal: Ashley Road, New Milton - Proposed Pelican Crossing

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 11

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ROADS

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

ASHLEY ROAD, NEW MILTON - PELICAN CROSSING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2002

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2002

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2001/02

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Nov 01

(at Mar 01

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Construction

24

Fees

6

30

30

30

Less developers/

other contributions

30

30

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

30

(a) Capital programme (Minor works Pedestrian Facilities 2001/02))

(b) Other

30

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

30

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

1.2

0.003

Capital charges

3.0

0.005

TOTAL net expenditure

4.2

0.008

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Requests have been received from members of the public and Ashley Junior School, supported by New Forest District Council, New Milton Town and the local Member - Councillor Mrs Banks - for the installation of a controlled crossing on Ashley Road, New Milton near the school (see attached location plan).

In the past a school crossing patrol worked effectively outside the Junior School. However, of concern has been the difficulty in recruiting patrol wardens which has led to the requests for the provision of a controlled crossing to help pedestrians, especially children and parents, cross this busy road.

A count of vehicles and pedestrians has produced a PV² value of 0.59 x 10⁸ which reaches a level where a controlled crossing is justified in special circumstances.

In view of the site conditions at this location it is considered a signalled controlled Pelican crossing is the appropriate type of crossing to be installed. A detailed plan will be displayed at the meeting.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

The proposal is consistent with the County Council's transportation strategy, ie to reduce accident potential, provide improved facilities for pedestrians and to provide safer routes to schools.

Details of scheme and design standards

The crossing design adheres to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions' standards together with Hampshire County Council standards, and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process. The provision of a crossing at this location is justified in accordance with the criteria.

Environmental impact

The proposal has negligible consequences for the environment.

Land requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory procedures

All necessary statutory requirements have been satisfied in the development of this proposal.

Public consultation

Public notices have been posted on site for 28 days giving details of the proposal. As a result three letters commenting on the proposed location of the crossing were received.

Bell House Homes Limited, 105 Ashley Road - It is proposed to site the crossing between the two accesses to Bell House; a private establishment. The senior manager has commented that while the installation of a pelican crossing in the area is fully supported, the restriction of vehicles stopping imposed by the zig-zag markings will severely affect business which provides facilities for people with physical and mental impairment.

Bell House requires on-street parking for lorries for the supply of food which is prepared in-house for its use, and for two other similar properties owned by the company.

Mr D M Young, 109 Ashley Road - Is totally opposed to the siting of the crossing in the vicinity of his property. The zig-zag markings will force the residents of other properties in the area to park outside his house. The crossing will produce an unacceptable traffic build up causing him difficulty in accessing the road; the noise generated will devalue both the quality of life and the value of his property. Mr Young suggested that the use of a school crossing patrol should continue at this site.

Mr and Mrs B J Smoker, 107 Ashley Road - They have commented that the pedestrian access from the Junior School should be closed and the crossing moved to the east, nearer the main vehicular access to the school. They comment that only one-sixth of the children attending the school use this entrance. If the entrance was closed higher fences could be erected to deter vandals entering the school premises.

Comments on letters received - It has been agreed with Bell House Homes to reduce the number of zig-zag markings on both exits from the crossing to allow delivery vehicles to load and unload and that the situation will also be monitored to determine whether any waiting restrictions are necessary to stop cars parking in these areas. The reduction in the number of zig-zag markings will reduce the perceived problems of parked vehicles suggested by Mr Young.

The Headmaster of Ashley Junior School fully supports the installation of a pelican crossing at the proposed location. He would not want the pedestrian access closed as it would increase the conflict between vehicles and pedestrians at the start and end of the school day.

It is not possible to locate the crossing to the east of the proposed site because of access and side roads including the vehicular access to the school.

Facilities for the disabled

The proposed scheme incorporates tactile paving and audible warnings for the visually impaired and flush kerbs at the crossing point for wheelchairs, prams and the less mobile.

Maintenance implications

The revenue implications of this proposal will be taken into account in the setting of the annual budget.

Local Member's Views

The local Member, Councillor Mrs Banks, fully supports the scheme, together with its amendments.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

No areas of concern have been identified.

Sustainability

The Pelican crossing supports walking which is a sustainable form of transport.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

A Zebra crossing was considered but a Pelican crossing is more appropriate. There are no other suitable locations that satisfy both local requirements and technical constraints.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

File Pel/6130

County Surveyor's Department

ITS Group, Monument House