Archived decisions

Contact: Kevin Travers, ext 7763

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides an update on progress on the various projects being developed in the Western Hampshire Transport Strategy (WHTS) area. It includes both schemes within the WHTS and county-wide programmes.

2. Capital Programme Progress

2.1 A sum of £100,000 has been allocated in the capital programme for the WHTS area for 2001/02, as detailed in a separate report. Progress on each of the scheme in the programme is shown below.

2.2 Meetings have been held between the County Council, Wiltshire County Council, Wilts & Dorset bus company and Stagecoach concerning Services 7, 8 and 9 between Salisbury, Tidworth and Andover, which are jointly operated by the two bus companies. Wilts & Dorset is keen to invest in the route and is bidding to its board to buy new buses for the route. To complement this proposed investment, improvements to the infrastructure on the route are proposed. With the funding identified in the capital programme existing bus shelters can be replaced and upgraded where necessary. Future works could include raising kerbs to improve accessibility onto buses if low floor vehicles are introduced, better information and the provision of bus stops.

2.3 The programme is for orders for the new bus shelters to be placed by the end of February. There is currently a lead-in time of approximately eight weeks between order and delivery and hence it is expected that the shelters will be installed in May.

2.4 The County Council is seeking to prioritise routes and corridors for capital spend and quality treatment through the Quality Bus Partnership (QBP) Strategy Study. However, to date Wilts & Dorset has refused to provide passenger data/loadings for use in the study. This is a commercial decision but clearly does not help to foster joint investment and partnership working.

2.5 In addition, Stagecoach does not see this corridor as a priority and has no immediate plans to invest in the route. It is unlikely therefore that a formal QBP will be signed for the route for the foreseeable future. However, with Wilts & Dorset seeking to invest in the route and the County Council installing some improved infrastructure, a QBP may be developed for the future.

2.6 The design of the King's Somborne Village Enhancement scheme has been finalised. The details are broadly similar to the draft proposals which were subject to public consultation last year. The Parish Council has been closely involved with the development of the final scheme and is fully supportive of the proposals. It is also keen that the measures are implemented as soon as possible. As the principles of the scheme have not changed fundamentally since the initial consultation process, it is not proposed to conduct any further consultations. A project appraisal is being considered by the Executive Member for Environment on 12 March 2002 and, if approved, works can begin shortly afterwards if carried out as part of the term maintenance contract.

2.7 Initial feasibility work on a comprehensive package of measures to enhance Stockbridge Village Centre has been commissioned. As reported to the Panel previously the emphasis will be on improving pedestrian security.

3. Safer Routes to Schools and School Transport Plans

3.1 Within the 2001/02 capital programme funding has been allocated for Safer Routes to School initiatives at several schools in Western Hampshire. The current status of the projects is as follows.

3.2 At Test Valley School the second phase of works, which involves the provision of yellow lines to prevent parking in the recently provided layby, is currently being progressed. The necessary preparatory work is being carried out, which will include consulting on the amendments to Traffic Regulation Orders necessary for the scheme to be implemented. In addition, a meeting has taken place with the head teacher who will be preparing a School Travel Plan (STP). In conjunction with the village centre enhancement proposals, the potential for infrastructure improvements to link the school and the centre of the village will be investigated. However, as agreed by Members at the meeting on 20 November 2001, any investigations into major infrastructure works being progressed at the school can be determined once the planning development issues become clearer.

3.3 Investigations have now been completed regarding the appointment of a supervisor to escort pupils on buses. The local police and Education department are in agreement that a school crossing patrol is not the answer to this problem and it would be most unusual for pupils of a secondary school age to need such supervision.

3.4 Safer Routes to School initiatives at King's Somborne Primary School may be able to be incorporated into the King's Somborne Village enhancement scheme. Initial contact has been made with the school by the travel plans coordinator, and a meeting took place in February to discuss this further.

3.5 At Shipton Bellinger Primary School consultants have been instructed to undertake initial feasibility works. Contact is to be made with the school shortly to gauge interest in developing an STP.

3.6 At Clatford Church of England Primary School initial contact has been made with the school with respect to developing an STP, which should be completed shortly. There is potential to develop a small highway scheme outside the school entrance, which is situated on a T-junction. Footpath sign improvements and road surface enhancements could help to give the impression of a school 'entrance zone' and improve safety in the area.

3.7 In addition to the above, STPs are also being considered at other schools in the WHTS area. Certain travel concerns have been raised at Hatherden Church of England Primary School and it is hoped that they can be addressed, at least partially, through the development of an STP. At Hurstbourne Tarrant Church of England Primary School an STP is being developed for spring 2002, with a Safer Routes to School scheme to be developed for funding in 2002/03. At Wherwell Primary School the head teacher is keen to prepare an STP and the school has been provisionally identified for a Safer Routes to School scheme in 2002/03.

4. Parish Partnerships

4.1 Progress is being made on a number of projects in the WHTS area through the Parish Partnerships initiative, where the local community is working jointly with the County Council to identify priority issues and develop appropriate measures. Details of recent progress is shown in the table below.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

7009/KT