AT A MEETING of the CENTRAL HAMPSHIRE AREA RURAL TRANSPORTATION STATEGY PANEL held on Friday 15 March 2002 at The Guildhall, Winchester.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: J.K. West (Chairman); Mrs S.M. Glasspool; A.R. Ludlow; P.K. Mason; Sir James J. Scott

Also in attendance: Councillor Mrs A.E. Bailey

Winchester City Council

Councillors: I. Bidgood; Mrs G. Busher; P. Davies; D. Stewart; Mrs C. Sutton

Also in attendance: Councillor Mrs C. Bailey

East Hampshire District Council

Councillors: R. Ayer; P. Bradbury; Mrs S. Halstead; Mrs J.M. Standen

Also in attendance: Councillor M.G. Watkinson, Petersfield Town Council

11. MINUTES

The Panel considered the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2001 (Item 1 in the Minute Book) and noted the following amendments:-

County Member: Mrs A.E. Bailey was in attendance in her capacity as local Member for Downlands.

Winchester City Council: Mrs C. Bailey attended the meeting.

The Minutes were then agreed and signed by the Chairman.

12. TAPESTRY - UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 2 in the Minute Book) informing Members of progress on the Travel Awareness, Publicity and Education supporting a Sustainable Strategy in Europe project following an oral report received by the Panel at their last meeting. In particular, the County Surveyor drew attention to section 3 of the report and also to Appendix 3 which provided a very interesting set of statistics which could be used as a benchmark.

In paragraph 3.8 of the report, it was noted that the community/residents meeting that had been scheduled to take place on 7 March had been postponed and it was hoped that the meeting would take place in the near future. The stakeholder meeting, also detailed in paragraph 3.8, had been very successful.

RESOLVED:

That Members note the progress on the TAPESTRY project and that further reports would be submitted in the future.

13. B2177 ROUTE CORRIDOR STRATEGY

The Panel considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 3 in the Minute Book) which provided an update to the report submitted to the last meeting of the Panel. In particular, the County Surveyor drew attention to Section 4 and Appendix 1 of the report which detailed the results of a consultation undertaken in September and December 2001. There was a strong preference for the reduction and enforcement of speed limits and investigation of the cycle network. Traffic calming proved to be the least popular option, however it was noted that traffic calming measures might be required for the successful enforcement of some speed restrictions.

An amendment to Appendix 2 under the section "Additional Comments and Views - Bishops Waltham (Vice-Chairman of Parish Council)", view number 2 was noted as follows:-

"Install lights into central pedestrian refuges, particularly opposite village hall, Lower Upham".

During the ensuing discussion, Members detailed questions were answered.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel notes the outcomes of the focus consultation on the draft B2177 Route Strategy and the work to be undertaken on the development of draft proposals for the Twyford to Wickham corridor.

14. CAPITAL PROGRAMME - LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT, LOCAL TRANSPORT SETTLEMENT AND REVISED CAPITAL PROGRAMMES FOR 2001/02 AND 2002/03 TO 2005/06

The Panel considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 4 in the Minute Book) updating Members on progress in respect of the Capital Programme. Following submission to the Government of the first Annual Progress Report for Hampshire's Local Transport Plan, it was noted that the County Council's assessment on progress with transport was well above average which had resulted in a generous settlement being received. However, the County Surveyor reported that the focus was now on delivery of the various projects within the Programme which was very important in order to ensure future funding.

Attention was drawn to Appendix 1 of the report which provided an update on the programme for the current year with Appendix 2 detailing an indicative programme for the remaining 4 years of the Local Transport Plan based on agreements reached at previous meetings of the Panel.

During the ensuing discussion, Members requested that a more detailed description of proposed schemes in the Programme be available for the next meeting of the Panel. It was noted that an update on the Safe Routes to School programme would also be submitted to the next meeting of the Panel to ensure Members were kept fully informed of progress.

RESOLVED:

That this report be noted.

15. PETERSFIELD TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENTS

The Panel considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating Members on further work that had been carried out and as a result of consultation, changes to the scheme as detailed in paragraph 3 of the report. The County Surveyor drew attention to the proposed schedule of works detailed in paragraph 4 of the report.

A newsletter entitled "The Petersfield Town Centre Improvements" was distributed for information and it was noted that a further newsletter would be available in the summer. A full discussion ensued during the course of which officers made note of suggestions for possible inclusion in the next newsletter.

RESOLVED:

That the progress on the Petersfield Town Centre improvements be noted.

16. EAST HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL LOCAL PLAN

The Panel received an oral progress report in respect of the East Hampshire District Local Plan: Second Review. The Second Deposit version of the Plan had been published for a period of six weeks with a closing date of 14 March 2002. Approximately 1,500 letters of objection had been received in respect of the Second Deposit; the main issues of concern being the new housing allocations. This compared with 2,000 letters received in the First Deposit Plan which had resulted in 5,000 individual comments. The analysis process would commence forthwith, the results of which would be reported to Committee later this year. The Local Plan Inquiry was anticipated to start in March 2003. A further report would be made to the Panel at a future meeting.

17. WINCHESTER CITY COUNCIL LOCAL PLAN

The Panel received an oral progress report in respect of the Winchester City Council Local Plan. The First Deposit Plan had been published last autumn and almost 3,000 representations had been made. No major transport related issues had been lodged but the analysis process was continuing. A Second Deposit Plan would be published in the autumn. A further report would be made to the Panel at a future meeting.

18. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Friday 18 October 2002 at 2.30pm at the offices of East Hampshire District Council.

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