Archived decisions

APPENDIX

Contact: Paul Basham, ext 6054

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides Members with an update on the Colbury right turn and traffic management proposals along the A35, together with the results of the public consultation.

2. Colbury Right Turn and Ashurst Traffic Calming Measures Year 2002/03 - £1,300,000

2.1 The New Forest Capital Programme includes a sum of £1,300,000 for the proposed right-turn facility at Colbury and associated traffic measures along the A35 through Ashurst.

2.2 On 6 December 2001 the New Forest Transportation Strategy Members' Panel recommended approval of the consultation plan for the two schemes.

2.3 The proposed layout for the Colbury right-turn facility provides signal control for traffic from the A326 southbound to the A35 west and replaces the loop road arrangement which was safeguarded in the New Forest District Local Plan. A slip-road loop facility had previously been investigated but, while land had been allowed for this facility, it was insufficient to provide a layout in accordance with current design standards. Extending the safeguarded land to ensure that the minimum design standards could be achieved would have resulted in greater environmental impact on a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and on neighbouring houses.

2.4 The right-turn facility will end the need for traffic to do a `U-turn' at Rushington roundabout to gain access to the A35 westbound and reduce traffic flows along this section of the A35. By providing a more direct route along the A326 and A35 to Lyndhurst and the New Forest the scheme will help reduce the occurrence of inappropriate traffic through the residential area of Foxhills.

2.5 As part of the phased strategic approach to dealing with traffic conditions in Lyndhurst, the scheme will incorporate traffic management and local access improvements along the A35 through Ashurst.

2.6 The implementation of the proposed right turn will transfer vehicles from existing routes to the A35 through Ashurst village. The maximum additional traffic flow through as a result of the right turn facility is estimated at 4,000 vehicles per day.

2.7 Some traffic would have already diverted since the implementation of traffic signals at the Redbridge roundabout, as access to the A35 will now be seen as easier.

2.8 The lorry ban through Lyndhurst has also been in place for a number of years and westbound lorries will have already transferred to the A35. The right turn should not divert any more lorries. In turn, the ban has reduced the amount of eastbound lorries through Ashurst.

2.9 This potential level of transfer will be countered by the traffic management proposals in the village and the intention not to alter the directional signs from the motorway to coincide with the right turn. However, the traffic flows will be monitored and the position of the signs will be kept under review.

2.10 A productive relationship had already been established with Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council and the local New Forest District Council Member, Councillor Spikins, to develop traffic management options for Ashurst village. The local Member, Councillor Bright, has been closely involved in this process and supports the scheme proposals with the caveat that the County Council takes on board and addresses the issues which have been raised through the consultation process, with particular reference to the existing signing of vehicles through Ashurst from the motorway and the signing of traffic in the future.

2.11 A presentation to Members on the scheme proposals was carried out prior to the commencement of the exhibitions on 7 March.

3. The Consultation

3.1 An extensive period of public consultation took place between 7 and 16 March 2002, at Ashurst, Church Rooms, Lyndhurst Community Centre and Hounsdown Hall, Hounsdown, Totton. Additional exhibitions were also held at Safeways in West Totton on 14 and 15 March, and at Beaulieu Village Hall on 25 March. The exhibitions were attended by approximately 700 people with the consultation exercise costing in the order of £9,000.

3.2 The exhibition was advertised in the Ashurst Parish Newsletter, local newspapers and through the distribution of posters and letter drops. The aim was to inform local residents, schools, bus companies and road users over a wide area, in addition to the local parish councils of Ashurst and Colbury, Totton, Lyndhurst and others.

3.3 The proposed junction layout and traffic measures were exhibited and officers from Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council, as well as parish councillors, were on hand to answer questions from those attending the exhibitions.

3.4 Questionnaires with a `freepost' envelope were issued to all those attending and there was a closing date of 19 April 2002 for public comments. A total of 323 questionnaires were returned prior to this deadline.

3.5 Analysis of the questionnaires and comments has given an indication of public support for the proposed scheme.

4. Analysis of Questionnaires

4.1 The questionnaire issued at the exhibitions was designed to determine the extent of support for each option by a series of statements on the issues and proposals for attendees to consider and indicate which most closely matched their view. The options ranged from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'. The findings are detailed in Appendix 1. Respondents were also able to make additional comments. The issues identified as additional written comments have been grouped into 20 relevant categories and are attached as Appendix 2.

4.2 On the whole the public consultation produced a positive response. The following statements and proposals relating to individual elements of the scheme were supported by more than 60% of the consultees.

4.3 The exhibitions and the questionnaires highlighted concerns from the residents of Ashurst regarding the increased level of vehicles which may pass through the village. On balance it is considered that the A35 can accommodate the additional traffic and, taking into account the changes to the scheme highlighted in the appendices, that the scheme should proceed.

4.4 Colbury Right Turn

(i) It is important to remove the need for westbound traffic to divert via Rushington roundabout (62%).

(ii) Through traffic in the residential Foxhills area should be reduced (72%).

4.5 Traffic Management in Ashurst

(i) The introduction of gateway features on the A35 is fundamental to defining the entry points to Ashurst (63%).

(ii) The introduction of traffic calming measures will provide a clearer road layout at Deerleap Lane (61%).

(iii) Widening junctions on side roads along the A35 will improve accessibility and the free flow of traffic (65%).

(iv) The introduction of central islands will improve safety for pedestrians crossing the A35 (81%).

4.6 The following statements and proposals relating to individual elements of the scheme were supported by between 50% and 60% of the consultees.

4.7 Colbury Right Turn

(i) Introducing a right turn controlled by traffic signals will ease traffic flows (50%).

(ii) The existing layout a Cockly Down roundabout should be retained (59%).

4.8 Traffic Management in Ashurst

(i) The introduction of traffic measures will help right turning vehicles access New Road (59%).

5. Conclusion

5.1 The results confirm that the scheme has been generally well-supported and respondents approve the proposed elements of the scheme. However, there are concerns from the residents of Ashurst regarding the increased level of vehicles through the village.

5.2 Further discussions have been held with the local stakeholders to discuss the issues raised by the respondents. Therefore this Meeting is requested to support the proposal.

5.3 The scale of the scheme requires a decision by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources and the views of this Meeting and local Members are important factors in reaching this decision.

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