Hampshire County Council Executive Member - Environment 14 May 2002 Capital Programme 2002/03 Report of the County Surveyor, County Planning Officer and County Treasurer

Item 3

Contact: John Buckett, ext 6599

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That, in order to ensure full and appropriate use is made of Local Transport Plan funding a 'stock pile' of transport schemes is prepared to ensure that unforeseen events do not jeopardise the spend performance and delivery of the capital programme, it is requested that approval be given to the following proposed amendments to the 2002/03 capital programme:

- Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1 Priority Route in North East Hampshire Transport Strategy (£1,000,000)

- A27 Cycleway and Safer Routes to School scheme in South East Hampshire Transport Strategy (£165,000)

- Fordingbridge High Street in New Forest Transport Strategy (£40,000)

- pedestrian crossings (£300,000)

- intelligent transport systems (£500,000)

- bridges (£450,000)

- Jacobs Gutter Lane (£350,000)

- rural partnership schemes (£200,000)

- Weyhill Road traffic management in Andover Transport Strategy (£300,000)

- Hamble Lane/Portsmouth Road junction in South West Hampshire Transport Strategy (£150,000)

- Winchester rail station interchange/City Road junction in Winchester Movement and Access Plan (£75,000)

- reserve allocation to cover possible cost increases (£500,000).

(ii) That the reports for the Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1 Priority Route (increased costs) and the A27 Portchester Road, Fareham Cycleway and Safer Routes to School scheme be approved as project appraisals (attached as Appendices 1 and 2), subject to the approval of the Executive Member for Policy and Resources.

(iii) That, consequent on approval of the Project Appraisal for the A27 Portchester, Fareham, under the powers contained in Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980, the sections of footway identified within the proposal as `shared use' be converted to cycle track to permit use by cyclists and pedestrians.

(iv) That approval be given to the casualty reduction and pedestrian crossings programmes.

(v) That the proposed programme for major schemes be noted.

(vi) That £50,000 be funded from Environment's share of 2000/01 capital receipts for new plan printing equipment and a further £60,000 for private street works. The remainder of the 2000/01 capital receipts (£188,000) and any allocation in future years be reserved for South Hampshire Rapid Transit and other priority projects.

2. Reason

Local Transport Plan Programme

2.1 The proposed changes follow a comprehensive review of the programme and the likely phasing of payments. They will help ensure that the Local Transport Plan (LTP) spending targets are achieved in the approved policy areas of integrated transport, eg public transport improvements, safety, cycling and walking facilities, etc. In order to achieve programme delivery, key projects, such as the Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1 Priority Route, Weyhill Road traffic management and A27 Portchester Road, Fareham cycleway and Safer Routes to School, need early project appraisal approval so that the contracts procedure can be completed to allow works to start no later than the autumn.

2.2 The details of the proposed casualty reduction and pedestrian crossing programmes need to be approved so that individual schemes can be progressed.

2.3 A major schemes programme is required in the 2002 Annual Progress Report (APR). A provisional programme is put forward for approval so that the APR can be prepared.

Capital Receipts

2.4 The new printing equipment within the County Planning Department is required to meet increased demand for plans. It will be able to handle requests directly from the web and provide collating and folding, which is currently being done manually. The service recovers its costs through recharges which can increase as the capacity is also enhanced.

2.5 The contribution for private street works, primarily for Hook Park Road, Warsash, is required to bring private roads up to an adoptable standard.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 The principal alternative is to stop some or all of the schemes and replace the LTP integrated transport spending with other expenditure. This would mean moving away from the programme which has been accepted by the Government and resulted in Hampshire receiving the highest rating in the country for integrated transport. Such a departure would certainly affect the County Council's credibility in this area and probably adversely affect future levels of Government support.

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 Hampshire County Council was awarded £23.7 million by the Government in the 2002/03 local transport settlement for expenditure on integrated transport and highways maintenance/bridges, with £13.2 million for integrated transport and £10.5 million for highways maintenance and bridges. There is also an estimated resource of approximately £6 million Supplementary Credit Approval (SCA) to be brought forward from 2001/02 for integrated transport. This £6 million is the balance of the two year funding allocated last year which must be spent on transport by the end of 2002/03.

7.2 The 2002/03 funding is not ring-fenced and can be used for any capital work, as can the £2.2 million Single Capital Pot additional funding. However the County Council has allocated the latter amount to transport in recognition that it was largely earned through the County Council's transport performance.

7.3 It is important that the County Council demonstrates to the Government that it is committed to the LTP policies and objectives by delivering a programme consistent with the LTP. This will maintain the Council's credibility with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) and ensure Government investment in transport and the Single Capital Pot is maximised.

7.4 While progress in 2001/02 in developing schemes has been good, using the new partnership arrangements with WS Atkins, it has not proved possible to use all the SCA from 2001/02 in the year (although this funding will certainly be used in 2002/03). It has also been found that, as schemes have been developed from the ideas stage through design and consultation, the allocations made in the capital programme have become insufficient in many cases to cover the full costs of the projects that have emerged.

7.5 The result is that some individual projects have taken longer to produce and are now more costly than originally envisaged. Nevertheless, they are worthwhile in terms of the LTP objectives of promoting travel choice and safety and better managing the transport networks. The A27 Portchester cycle scheme is the result of combining two schemes which provide Safer Routes to School facilities at the same time as introducing an important link in the Portsmouth Harbour cycle route and national cycle networks, with recreational and potentially tourism/economy benefits. The Route 1 corridor scheme in Rushmoor is not only an enhanced public transport facility with bus priority and improved services for passengers but also incorporates safety, cycling and road maintenance improvements.

7.6 It is proposed to add a number of schemes to the programme and additional cost allocations to some important projects. At the same time the emphasis in managing the programme is changed to reflect the need to achieve spending targets in key policy areas which will both protect Government support levels and begin to help bring about the changes in travel patterns and behaviour which the LTP promotes.

8. Spending Plan

8.1 It is proposed to manage the 2002/03 LTP funded Transport Capital Programme on spending with the following targets:

Integrated Transport £20 million

Maintenance and Bridges £9.5 million*

South Hampshire Rapid £3 million

Transit (SHRT) and other

priority projects _________

£32.5 million

* Note: does not include revenue contribution to capital maintenance programme.

8.2 Spending £20 million on LTP integrated transport projects represents a near trebling of the estimated £7 million spent in 2001/02, itself a record. However, unlike the position at the start of 2001/02, there are a number of schemes already prepared by the County Council, WS Atkins and district councils which, subject to final project appraisals and contract procedures, can start on site relatively early in the financial year.

8.3 The provisional spending plan for integrated transport in 2002/03 is attached as Appendix 3. Achieving the plan depends on approval to starts value changes set out in section 9. Appendix 4 is an analysis of the spending plan by scheme type (excluding major schemes and feasibility work). This table shows that the spending plan is consistent with the LTP and that the County Council is delivering its programme in line with its expressed policy priorities.

8.4 It is anticipated that while LTP funded integrated transport spending levels will reduce beyond 2002/03 to about £13 million per year, the externally funded programme is likely to continue at £7 million to £8 million per year, keeping overall investment to about £20 million annually.

8.5 The highways structural and bridges maintenance spending plan is for £9.5 million from LTP funding which can be accomplished within existing programme levels. Programmed spending in 2001/02 was £2.4 million above the Government's LTP allocation, whilst this year's planned spending is £1 million below, effectively paying back part of the sum `borrowed' from integrated transport last year. An increased allocation for bridges of £450,000 is proposed so that the complete costs of the Langstone scheme can be covered within the 2002/03 starts programme. There is also an annual £11.1 million programme of structural maintenance works on highways funded from local resources.

8.6 While there is a separate credit approval of £750,000 for SHRT in 2002/03 it is likely that land and other preparation costs associated with SHRT will exceed that sum. There is expected to be a call on the LTP and Single Capital Pot resources for 2002/03 and in future years to support this expenditure.

8.7 The Single Capital Pot funds for 2002/03 are £2.168 million, which are to be used for priority projects like accommodation or household waste recycling unless there is a need for SHRT. It is possible that the requirement for SHRT in 2002/03 could be as high as £4 million. Expenditure on SHRT will be kept under review. Capital receipts may be used to help fund SHRT together with Single Capital Pot funding. If necessary the integrated transport spending could be held at a slightly lower level in 2002/03 to ensure that all SHRT spending is accommodated.

8.8 It is proposed that the priority schemes identified be progressed so that they are ready for introduction when funding becomes available.

8.9 The spending plan for the 2002/03 externally funded programme is £8 million.

Consequences of Underspending

8.10 Should there be an underspending during 2002/03 it would be possible to use the LTP resources to cover some of the maintenance works currently programmed to be funded from local resources (see paragraph 8.5). This would release the equivalent sum in local resources which could be carried forward to support later years' expenditure. This approach may be used as a safety net should the expenditure plan not succeed and is attractive in terms of generating funds for priority projects. However, it would not satisfy the objective of delivering LTP funding on approved projects and would adversely affect future settlement levels as it might be construed as using the LTP funding to reduce the authority's own financial contribution to structural maintenance. The proposed course of action is to deliver the integrated transport programme to fully use the LTP resources on the intended policy areas.

2003/04 Programme and Spending Plan

8.11 The spending plan approach for 2002/03 and the proposed additions to the current year's programme set out below will have an adverse effect on the size of the 2003/04 starts programme which will need to be reviewed later this financial year. A further report will be presented to the September meeting on the possible changes.

9. Proposed Changes to the Programme

Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1 Priority Route

Approved capital programme level - £850,000 in 2001/02 and £50,000 in 2002/03.

9.1 Costs for this project have increased with changes following consultation and further work identified as the design process developed. The scheme incorporates maintenance work and is partly funded from developers' contributions. The revised costs and proposed funding for the project is as follows:

£'000

Capital Programme (Integrated Transport) 1,900

Capital Programme (Maintenance) 400

Developer Funding 700

3,000

The proposal is to increase the integrated transport capital programme allocation by £1,000,000. A revised report is attached as Appendix 1 and should be considered as a Project Appraisal for this scheme.

A27 Portchester Road Cycleway and Safer Routes to School - South East Hampshire Transport Strategy

Approved capital programme level - £510,000

Revised requirement - £675,000

9.2 This scheme, formed by combining two projects either side of Cams School, is the most significant and highest profile cycle scheme yet introduced by the County Council. It provides a Safer Routes to School scheme over one kilometre in length and also forms an important link in the Portsmouth Harbour cycle route and national cycle network. The scheme will provide a safer route for cyclists and help promote the County Council's aim of encouraging cycle use. There are currently over 50 cyclists using the road in the peak hour at the same time as 1,000 other vehicles. There have been four cycle-related injury accidents in the last three years. It is considered that the number of cyclists could be increased substantially if a safe, segregated route is provided. Progressing this scheme in 2002/03 is essential in terms of demonstrating the County Council's commitment to its LTP policies in this area. A revised project appraisal is attached as Appendix 2.

Fordingbridge High Street - New Forest Transport Strategy

Approved capital programme level - £80,000

9.3 The scheme being developed is now expected to require £120,000 from the capital programme together with an external contribution.

Pedestrian Crossings

9.4 The pedestrian crossings allocation for 2002/03 was reduced to £100,000 as demand for these schemes had fallen. However, work in the early part of the year has identified opportunities and a further £300,000 is now proposed. The full list of proposed schemes is included in section 11 of this report.

Intelligent Transport Systems

9.5 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are being developed for inclusion within Area Strategy programmes. The new central systems funded through the capital programme are now coming on line, which means that there are opportunities to introduce applications like Bus Departure Information Systems and Real-Time Information throughout large areas of the county.

9.6 The allocations made within Area Strategy programmes are insufficient in most cases to allow the introduction of ITS systems in a comprehensive way. It is therefore proposed, as part of the 2002/03 spending plan, to add £500,000 to the capital programme for county-wide implementation this year.

Bridges

9.7 It is proposed that £450,000 be added to the 2002/03 programme to cover the full cost of Langstone bridge. It is anticipated that the payments profile for this scheme will use this funding in 2003/04.

Jacobs Gutter Lane Improvements

9.8 Since the initial estimate was prepared for this scheme further on-site technical investigations have been carried out as part of the detailed design process. The results of these investigations have shown that the structural fabric of the road requires considerable additional strengthening to that originally envisaged to ensure the finished scheme has an adequate design life. The majority of the additional strengthening is required over a short section of the road where the ground conditions are very poor due to the vertical alignment of an existing culvert which has been made worse by the high volume of heavy goods vehicle traffic using this road. It is estimated that an additional £350,000 is required from LTP funding to supplement the existing externally funded allocation of £800,000 to deliver the scheme in the autumn 2002.

Rural Partnership Schemes

9.9 The take-up of these joint projects with parishes has accelerated dramatically and new staff resources have been directed into this area to provide the attention and priority the parishes expect to receive. An increased capital allocation of £200,000 will allow the programme to continue to develop without substantial delays.

Weyhill Road, Andover - Traffic Management - Andover Transport Strategy (ATS)

9.10 The costs associated with Salisbury Road and Weyhill Road traffic management have risen through consultation and scheme development. It is now anticipated that a further £300,000 is required from the capital programme. The scheme provides benefits for pedestrians and cyclists and school journeys and is partly funded from developers' contributions.

Hamble Lane/Portsmouth Road, Old Netley, Eastleigh - South West Hampshire Transport Strategy (SWHTS)

9.11 There is developer funding held for this project and some further funding due on completion. However, it is anticipated that progressing traffic signals, as recommended for approval on 7 March 2002 by the South West Hampshire Transportation Panel, will require a contribution of £150,000 from the capital programme.

Winchester Station Interchange/City Road Junction

9.12 The scheme requires temporary traffic management works during construction, which provide an opportunity to carry out remedial works to the carriageway throughout the junction. This work is being accommodated within the scheme. An extra £75,000 is required for the traffic management and remedial works.

Reserve Allocation

9.13 It is proposed that a sum of £500,000 be added to the 2002/03 programme as a contingency reserve allocation to be used if further increases in scheme costs occur in the financial year.

Capital Receipts

9.14 It is proposed that £50,000 be allocated from the overall 2000/01 capital receipts allocation of £298,000 to Environment Grouping for the introduction of new plan printing equipment and that £60,000 be allocated as a contribution to private street works.

9.15 It is proposed that the remaining £188,000 of this capital receipt allocation, together with any additional capital receipts from future years, be kept in reserve to cover land acquisition and other preparation costs on the SHRT project.

10. Casualty Reduction Programme 2002/03

10.1 An overall starts programme level of £1.6 million is approved for 2002/03. The programme consists of approximately 90 low cost/high return schemes which includes £50,000 for the improvements in Calmore Road, Totton. The proposed programme will also feature the further implementation of safety led measures on important cross-country traffic routes, where there is a synergy with both major maintenance programmes and integrated transport strategy measures being introduced in support of the Hampshire LTP. Routes and locations include the A31 between Winchester and the county boundary in the east, the B3354/B2177 in Winchester district, which includes an important safety scheme at the busy 'Fishers Pond' junction at the B2177/B3354 junction, and the B3272 in the north-east of Hampshire. The third key element of the programme will be the revisiting of some 160 previously implemented low cost safety schemes, where recent studies have shown a worsening casualty record or the scope for fresh measures, to aid further casualty reduction.

10.2 The proposed elements of the programme are set out below:

£'000

Low Cost Programme 900

Fishers Pond, Colden Common 300

B3272 Strategy, Hart 100

Refurbishment of Treated Sites 100

A31 Safety Barriers, Winchester/East Hampshire 200

Total 1,600

10.3 The projected overall annual financial rate of return from the programme will yield in the order of 150 casualties saved per annum, giving an annual financial rate of return of approximately 300% for the £1.6 million investment.

11. Pedestrian Crossings Programme

11.1 Schemes are proposed for the provision of crossing facilities at nine sites where studies have shown a justification, in terms of traffic volumes and numbers of pedestrians crossing, for assisting the safe and convenient movement of pedestrians. Puffin crossings are considered appropriate at four sites, whilst conditions at Brockenhurst are such that a Zebra crossing would operate satisfactorily. At three locations - Locks Heath, Alton and Priestlands - the crossings will form part of cycle routes and therefore Toucan crossings are proposed. The remaining site at Chandlers Ford would provide pedestrian facilities at an existing traffic signal junction where pedestrians have found particular difficulty in crossing within the signal cycle.

Pedestrian Crossings Programme 2002/03 (provisional)

£'000

A337 Priestlands, Lymington Toucan 55

Butts Road, Alton Toucan 40

Ramshill, Petersfield Puffin 35

A323 Fleet Road, Hartley Wintney Puffin 40

Bournemouth Road/Leigh Road, Pedestrian Phase 100

Chandlers Ford

Lockswood Road, Locks Heath Toucan 45

Fernhill Road (Cove Junior School) Puffin 35

Fernhill Road (Cove Manor School) Puffin 35

Brockenhurst Zebra 15

Total 400

12. Major Schemes Programme

12.1 The Annual Progress Report of the LTP is to be submitted in July 2002. The County Council's proposed programme of major schemes is an important part of the LTP process.

12.2 As reported to the January meeting, it is proposed to fund stages 3 to 5 of the A3 corridor scheme through the major schemes process and to submit a formal bid for this scheme in July. The provisional programme for major schemes is as follows:

Initial Bid for Construction

Estimate Funding Start

£ million

A3 Corridor 22 July 2002 2003 (summer)

Chickenhall Lane link 16-21 July 2003 2005 (early)

Botley Bypass 18 July 2004 2005 (late)

Stubbington By Pass 13 July 2005 2006

South Hampshire 30 July 2005 2006

Strategic Park and Ride

12.3 Work is also progressing on Newgate Lane and Park Gate Eastern Link, which are both under the £5 million major schemes limit but require similar treatment. However, it is possible that Newgate Lane at least may cross the £5 million threshold when full costs are known.

12.4 There is considerable resource requirement in progressing these schemes, the solution for which must not adversely affect delivery of the current programme. A detailed report on the way forward will be submitted to a future meeting.

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

7127/JWB

APPENDIX 1

Hampshire County Council Executive Member - Environment 14 May 2002 Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1 Priority Route Report of the County Surveyor

1. Summary

1.1 This report considers the revised cost estimate for the Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1 Priority Route scheme, Phase 1 (between Boundary Road and Bradfords Roundabout, Farnborough) in order that the scheme can be taken forward to implementation.

2. Introduction

2.1 On 9 October 2001 the Executive Member for Environment approved the Project Appraisal for the Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1 Priority Route Scheme Phase 1, subject to confirmation of costs estimates. This report was submitted with only an `initial' estimate of costs, based upon the consultation drawings.

2.2 A number of options were considered as part of the scheme and taken to full consultation. The selected scheme enjoys public support and meets the objectives of the North East Hampshire Transport Strategy (NEHTS).

2.3 Following full support for the scheme by the NEHTS Panel on 26 September 2001 and the Environment Policy Review Committee on 17 September 2001, the Executive Member for Environment requested that the report be treated as a Project Appraisal.

2.4 On 9 October 2001 at the Executive Member's Decision Making Meeting the report outlined an approximate value for the Phase 1 works of £1,550,000. At present, the cost estimate for the scheme has increased to £3,000,000, covered by a Capital Programme budget allocation of £900,000 across 2001/02 and 2002/03, Maintenance Programme budget allocation of £400,000 for 2002/03, together with external funding of £700,000. This leaves a further requirement of £1,000,000 from the Capital Programme.

2.5 It is proposed to fund this shortfall via an increased contribution from the Capital Programme budget allocation for 2002/03 as explained in the main report.

3. Revised Cost Estimate

3.1 There are a number of factors contributing to the increase in costs for the Phase 1 scheme over the initial estimate. The major factors are as follows:

(i) a significant element of structural repair work has been incorporated into the scheme, to coordinate planned future maintenance work on the A325 with the Bus Service 1 scheme;

(ii) the replacement street lighting requires new electrical supplies to be provided over a large extent of the scheme which had not been envisaged in the early stages of design. The associated ducting extends to areas where no resurfacing works are proposed, increasing reinstatement costs;

(iii) statutory undertakers have now been contacted and an assessment of final costs incorporated within the revised estimate;

(iv) a third lane has been added between Prospect Avenue and Bradfords Roundabout. This came out of the consultation process and was specifically requested to be included in the scheme by the NEHTS Panel;

(v) traffic signal requirements and the associated ducting have increased following the detailed design process. More of the existing signal equipment requires replacement than first envisaged.

3.2 Other changes made included the provision of closed circuit television cameras to monitor traffic conditions and allow real-time adjustments, and changes required during completion of the detailed design following lessons learnt on similar schemes.

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

	APPENDIX 2
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT	PROJECT APPRAISAL

_____________________________________________

14 MAY 2002

_____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

PROJECT:

A27 PORTCHESTER ROAD, FAREHAM - CYCLEWAY

____________________________________________________________________

COMMENCEMENT DATE:	JULY 2002
COMPLETION DATE:	DECEMBER 2002

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2002/03

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________________________

			Current		Capital
			Estimate		Programme
			(at Feb 02		(at Feb 02
			prices)		prices)
Capital Expenditure			£'000		£'000
Land to be purchased			nil		nil
Construction			553		553
Fees			134		134
			687		687
Less developers/
other contributions			12		12
			675		675
Financial provision for total scheme					Total Cost
1.	From Committees own resources
	(a) Capital programme (as above)				675
	(b) Other
2.	From other resources
	(a) Developers contributions - Sainsburys				10.9
	(b) Developers contributions - residential				1.1
	(c)
			TOTAL		687
Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £
Variations from capital programme
Revenue implications			£'000		% variation
					to Committee's
					budget
Net current expenditure			4		0.005
Capital charges			110		0.115
TOTAL net expenditure
			114		0.120

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2.	STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT/LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN CONSIDERATIONS (Client Department)

____________________________________________________________________

	An extensive network of cycle routes and facilities is being planned in the Fareham area and adheres to the Fareham Cycle Plan 1996. The scheme also builds on sections of cycle routes already completed in the area, including importantly the Portsmouth to Fareham length of the south coast cycle route section of the National Cycle Network, promoted by the national environmental and cycling charity SUSTRANS. It extends the existing cycle route from Fareham towards Portchester by over one kilometre. There are future plans to extend it to link with Portsmouth City Council's network. The scheme will provide a safer route for cyclists and help promote the County Council's aim of encouraging cycle use. Fifty cyclists are currently using the road in the peak hour at the same time as 1,000 other vehicles. There have been four cycle-related injury accidents in the last three years. It is considered that the number of cyclists could be increased substantially if a safe segregated route is provided.
	The County Council, together with Fareham Borough Council and SUSTRANS, has over a number of years discussed with Cams Hill School measures to encourage pupils to walk and cycle to school.
	This project will provide off-road cycle facilities on the south side of the A27 between Shearwater Avenue and Beaulieu Avenue, while assisting cycle movements in the area between Delme Roundabout and Cams Hill School. The proposal, as well as assisting all cyclists in the area on journeys between Portchester and Fareham, will provide a safer route for pupils travelling to and from the school (see location plan - detailed plans will be displayed at the meeting).
	At the completion of this project a cycle link will be provided from Wickham Road (Fareham) and extend to Beaulieu Avenue. Although its main users are initially expected to be pupils attending Cams Hill School, it will also bring significant benefits to the wider residential population of the area. Further cycle facility developments in the Gosport/Fareham and Portsmouth areas will eventually provide an unbroken dedicated cycle network around Portsmouth Harbour, linking a number of nationally and internationally important heritage/tourism destinations.

____________________________________________________________________

3.	ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

____________________________________________________________________

	National/County network and policies
	The proposals are consistent with the aims and objectives of the South East Hampshire Transport Strategy (SEHTS) and the related Fareham Cycle Plan, including measures to promote greater road safety, provide safer routes to school and encourage pupils to walk and cycle to school.
	Details of scheme and design standards
	The proposals consist of: (i) upgrading the existing footway/cycleway between Shearwater Avenue and the Delme Arms roundabout; and (ii) converting the footway between Beaulieu Avenue and Shearwater Avenue to a shared 3.5 metre wide footway/cycleway on the south side of the A27.

	Upgrading of the footway to cycleway includes repositioning or replacement of the lamp columns and signing along the route as well as resurfacing the entire length.
	The existing pedestrian crossing west of Cams Hill School near the golf club entrance will be upgraded to a Toucan crossing and the Shearwater Avenue junction will be realigned to allow for the 3.5 metre wide cycle track.
	The existing traffic signals at the Shearwater Avenue junction will also be upgraded to include a Toucan crossing on Shearwater Avenue.
	In order to maintain the four lane carriageway it has been necessary to remove some of the traffic islands along the centre of the road and replace them with white lining and coloured surfacing.
	Proposals also include a pedestrian guardrail adjacent to the carriageway at the Delme Arms roundabout and near the Cams Hill School, relocation of a bus shelter and provision of a new bus shelter.
	The shared cycleway design complies with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions' standards and advice together with those of Hampshire County Council where these supersede the national standards. The scheme has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process.
	Environmental impact
	It is not expected that there will be any significant environmental impact arising from this proposal.
	Land requirements
	No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.
	Statutory procedures
	Section 65 of the Highways Act 1980 enables the Council to construct a cycle track in or by the side of a publicly maintained highway. Under Section 64 of the Act the consequent works of alteration to the dual carriageway can be performed. Under Section 66 of the Act the Council has a duty to provide a proper and sufficient footway as necessary or desirable for the safety and accommodation of pedestrians. A resolution to construct the cycle track further to Section 65 is required. The other powers related to will enable the scheme to be completed.
	Public consultation
	A public exhibition was held on 16/17 November 2001 at the Cams Hill Secondary School, Fareham.

	From the questionnaires, 83% were in favour of the off-road cycleway and 87% in favour of the upgrading of the existing footway/cycleway. A total of 63% were in favour of the segregated footway/cycleway outside numbers 35-63 Portchester Road.
	Formal responses have also been received from Fareham Borough Council, the Cyclists' Touring Club and Cams Hill School Governors - where appropriate all comments have been incorporated into the design.
	Local Member's View
	The local Member, Councillor Ellis, supports the proposals.
	Facilities for the disabled
	Tactile surfacing and dropped kerbs will be provided at the pedestrian crossing areas to assist the partially sighted.
	Maintenance implications
	There will be minor maintenance implications arising from the building of this scheme - the widening of footways together with maintenance of lines, signs, traffic signals and new lighting.
	Crime and Disorder Act 1998
	The provisions of this Act have no impact upon this scheme.
	Sustainability
	The schemes will enhance the environment for cycling, thus widening travel choice and reducing dependence on the motor car.

____________________________________________________________________

4.	ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED (Client Department)

____________________________________________________________________

	A number of alternative options were considered in the development of this project but rejected on the grounds of undermining improvements to road safety. In particular the schemes were:
	(i)	on-road shared bus and cycle lanes - rejected due to insufficient road space or land to provide a safe width of lane;
	(ii)	on-road cycle lanes - rejected due to insufficient road space or land to provide lanes and maintain the dual carriageway. (Removal of lanes to create segregated cycle lanes would jeopardise the future implementation of bus lanes and other public transport facilities); and
	(iii)	do nothing - rejected due to recognised dangers of on-road cycling in a busy 40 miles per hour limit and where illegal off-road cycling occurred. This option also failed to promote corporate and SEHTS strategies.

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

APPENDIX 3

Integrated Transport Spending 2002/03 Plan (Provisional)

Spending Forecast (SCA/BCA) £'000

Andover Transport Strategy 750

A3 Bus Priority 3,000

South East Hampshire Transport Strategy 2,000

Central Hampshire Area Transport Strategy 800

Otterbourne 450

North East Hampshire Transport Strategy 850

(excluding Route 1)

Route 1 Bus Corridor 1,200

Dorchester Arms 200

Safety 1,600

County-wide 3,000

Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for 1,500

Transport

Winchester Movement and Action Plan 1,200

Coastal Towns Transport Strategy 200

New Forest Transport Strategy 450

South West Hampshire Transport Strategy 1,200

Western Hampshire Transport Strategy 100

Intelligent Transport Systems 500

Major Scheme Preparation 500

Feasibility Work 500

Revised Forecast 20,000

APPENDIX 4

Local Transport Plan Spending Plan

2002/03 Spend by Type of Scheme - Integrated Transport £19 million

Percentage

Air Quality 1

Cycles 11

Pedestrians/People with Disabilities 8

Interchanges/Rail 4

Bus 24

ITS/Information 8

Casualty Reduction 8

Safer Routes to Schools 9

Traffic Management 15

Junction Improvements 5

Road Improvements/New Roads 2

Rural Transport/Traffic Management 5

Total 100