Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

15 April 2002

Project Appraisal: Winchester Movement and Access Plan -Stockbridge Road/Dean Lane/Stoney Lane, Winchester - Junction Improvements

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 7

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

WINCHESTER MOVEMENT AND ACCESS PLAN -STOCKBRIDGE ROAD/DEAN LANE/STONEY LANE, WINCHESTER - JUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MAY 2002

COMPLETION DATE:

JUNE 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 2001

(at Nov 2001

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

-

-

Construction

290

290

Fees

43

43

333

333

Less developers/

other contributions

333

333

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

333

(b) Other

333

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

333

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

3

0.003

Capital charges

26

0.027

TOTAL net expenditure

29

0.030

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

This scheme falls within the Winchester Movement and Access Plan (WMAP) area. One of the main objectives of the Plan which this scheme aims to meet is to improve safety for pedestrians by providing controlled crossings, together with improved footways and street lighting. The improvement also comprises a new mini-roundabout which will replace the existing priority junction at the Stockbridge Road/Stoney Lane junction. It will also reduce vehicle speeds on Stockbridge Road which is one of the main routes into the city centre from the west of the county. It will also allow easier access/egress for traffic from the Weeke/Harestock area.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

This improvement at the Stockbridge Road/Dean Lane/Stoney Lane junction accords with the main aims and objectives of WMAP. These are supported through the Winchester District Local Plan and the Local Transport Plan.

Details of scheme and design standards

The proposed scheme retains the central islands, which will also be landscaped on the section of Stockbridge Road adjacent to the Stoney Lane and Dean Lane junctions. In addition a mini-roundabout will be constructed at the Stockbridge Road/Stoney Lane junction, together with a new staggered Pelican crossing on Stockbridge Road between the Stoney Lane and Dean Lane junctions. The existing inbound bus stop and layby on the northern side of Stockbridge Road will also be relocated to a point east of the Dean Lane junction.

Two new sections of off-road cycleway will also be created. A two-way segregated cycleway will be constructed alongside the existing footway between Stockbridge Road and Dean Lane, which runs adjacent to the recreation ground and Parkside Gardens Development.

A new gateway feature will also be introduced at the western end of the scheme to advise motorists of a change in the built environment.

The works for this scheme have been designed in accordance with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions' standards, together with those of the County Council.

A location plan is attached to this report and a detailed plan of the proposals will be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental impact

The works proposed include landscaping and therefore will have little impact on the physical environment. Once the scheme is completed it will create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

Land requirements

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

Statutory procedures

The conversion of sections of footway to shared pedestrian/cycle use will be carried out under Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980.

The existing footpath that runs adjacent to the new residential development at Parkside Gardens will be converted to a two-way segregated cycleway under the Cycle Tracks Act 1984.

Public consultation

A public consultation exercise was undertaken regarding improvements at the Stockbridge Road/Stoney Lane/Dean Lane junctions as part of WMAP. The results showed that the majority of respondents (57%) to the questionnaire supported the option which included the retention of the central islands and the installation of a controlled crossing on Stockbridge Road.

A report on the scheme and the results of the public exhibition was subsequently considered by the WMAP Panel in December 2001. The Panel approved the report and recommended the implementation of the scheme to the Executive Member for Environment. The Executive Member considered and approved the scheme for implementation in January 2002.

Facilities for the disabled

The needs of the disabled have been considered in the design of this scheme with the provision of tactile paving, dropped kerbs and bus boarder facilities.

Maintenance implications

There will be minimal revenue implications of this proposal and they will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

This proposal has no impact on this Act.

Sustainability

The proposed scheme will provide a safer environment for pedestrians, especially children attending the local schools, which will encourage more people to walk instead of using motorised vehicles.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Mrs Dickens, supports the proposals.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Alternative scheme layouts were developed which included the removal of the central islands, the narrowing of the carriageway and the provision of widened footways/shared use cycleways on Stockbridge Road. A variation to this alternative scheme with and without a controlled crossing was also considered. These alternative improvements were rejected at an earlier consultation exercise.

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

None