Contact: John Buckett, ext 6599/Martina Olley, ext 6394

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That Hyder Consulting Limited (acting on behalf of the Highways Agency) be:

(i) thanked for inviting Hampshire County Council to comment on the Draft Route Management Strategy for the A30/A35/A31 Exeter to Southampton Route; and

(ii) informed of the County Council's concern that the safety problems at Rufus Stone (including Malwood junction) and Ringwood junctions (West Street/Texaco Garage, A338 North/B3347 junction, Poulner junction) be dealt with as a matter of urgency, whilst paying particular attention to the special nature of the New Forest.

2. Reason

2.1 The A31, immediately west of the M27 and in the Ringwood area, has alignment and junctions which do not meet modern standards. There are serious accident problems at both locations. Solutions within the New Forest need to take account of the special environment.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Other options which could have been put forward for increasing the capacity of the A31 are unlikely to be progressed because of environmental concerns and consideration of the need of pedestrians, cyclists and other road users in the Ringwood area.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - Not applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Background

7.1 Hyder Consulting Limited was appointed by the Highways Agency to undertake a Route Management Strategy (RMS) study for the A30/A35/A31 Exeter to Southampton trunk road in October 2000. The draft study sets out a Draft Ten Year Management Plan, including a Draft Three Year Action Plan for the route.

7.2 A Project Board was established and workshops/seminars were held involving stakeholders and interest groups. The County Council is represented on the Project Board and attended the workshops/seminars.

7.3 The report on the Draft RMS was produced in November 2001 and comments are required by the end of February 2002. However, responses by the main stakeholders are sought in time for the next Project Board meeting which will take place on 27 February 2002.

8. Draft Route Management Strategy

8.1 The Draft RMS makes general policy statements based on the Government's five transport objectives - environment, safety, economy, accessibility and integration. It describes the A31 from Wimborne to the M27 as a route of "high strategic, regional and local importance" and states that "the overall strategy is to implement a planned series of improvement works aimed principally at improving safety, reducing congestion and improving accessibility whilst minimising environmental impacts". It also states that "the importance of the New Forest and the need to minimise the impact of the road on the New Forest is recognised".

8.2 It summarises the route functions and objectives based on discussions during the workshops/seminars and sets out proposals for action studies.

8.3 For the section of the A31 from the county boundary to the M27 the study recognises the following problems and issues:

(i) accident clusters;

(ii) congestion on links and at junctions;

(iii) poor alignment of the westbound carriageway west of the M27;

(iv) community impacts on Ringwood: noise, air quality, severance, safety, accessibility;

(v) crossings for non-motorised users; and

(vi) impact on the New Forest.

8.4 The Ten Year Management Plan incorporating the Three Year Action Plan identifies priority for the following junctions and links:

(i) High Priority Links: Ringwood and Rufus Stone;

(ii) High Priority Junctions: West Street/Texaco Garage, A338 North/B3347, Poulner junction; and

(iii) Low Priority Junctions: Picket Post and Stoney Cross.

9. County Surveyor's Comments

9.1 The preparation of the Draft RMS incorporating a Draft Ten Year Route Management Plan and Three Year Action Plan looking at the route in a comprehensive way is welcomed. This is not a Multi Modal Study. However, notwithstanding the lack of an existing parallel rail corridor, it would have been desirable to look at all modes of transport in an all-embracing manner.

9.2 There are concerns about the safety problems at Rufus Stone, including Malwood junction and the Ringwood junctions (West Street/Texaco Garage, A338 North/B3347 and Poulner junction). The short term options - which may include amendments to signing, lining, the road surface, speed limit, etc - should be dealt with as a matter of urgency. The medium to long term option of improving the westbound carriageway from the M27 to Rufus Stone should be investigated by the Highways Agency. All options should take into consideration the specific nature of the New Forest.

9.3 There is a need to provide safe cycle, pedestrian and equestrian provision across and along the A31. The Gravel Lane underpass in Ringwood should be improved and the existing Zebra crossings replaced by Toucan crossings to provide a safe crossing into the town centre and to reduce severance within Ringwood. In addition, improvements are required to the existing cycle track from West Street, Ringwood to Verwood Road, Ashley. Between Ringwood and the M27 the A31 trunk road restricts north-south cycle, pedestrian and equestrian movements between a number of settlements in the Forest. There is a need for grade-separated safe crossings in the vicinity of Stoney Cross and Castle Malwood.

9.4 The improvements within Ringwood are covered under 'Communities Study' and 'Cycling Issues' within the Ten Year Management Plan. The study considers them to be of a low priority. Other locations are not specifically mentioned in the draft report. The view is that all the above locations should be mentioned in the study and, although they may be of an overall lower priority, their importance from a Hampshire point of view has to be acknowledged.

10. County Planning Officer's Comments

10.1 The preparation of the Draft Ten Year Route Management Plan to improve safety, reduce congestion and improve accessibility on that part of the A31 through Hampshire is welcomed. However, given the high environmental quality of the New Forest, including future National Park status, any works to improve the road within the Forest will require particularly sensitive design and treatment. Options for improvements should have regard to the need to minimise land-take, visual intrusion, noise, light pollution and other direct or indirect impacts on adjacent designated areas and nearby property. In this regard the Highways Agency's intention to liaise with New Forest groups to identify environmental and other concerns as future feasibility work is progressed is welcomed.

6987/MO