Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Policy and Resources

11 July 2002

Project Appraisal - Colbury Right Turn Facility and
Ashurst Traffic Management

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 3

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - POLICY AND RESOURCES

ROADS

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

COLBURY RIGHT TURN FACILITY AND ASHURST TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 2003

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 Jan 02

(at Jan 02

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

1,109

1,109

Fees

186

186

1,295

1,295

Less developers/

other contributions

Nil

Nil

1,295

1,295

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

1,295

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

1,295

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

5

0.007

Capital charges

112

0.117

TOTAL net expenditure

117

0.124

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The right turn facility will allow traffic from the A326 southbound to turn right onto the A35 westbound without the need to first travel east to Rushington roundabout and then double back on itself to go west (see drawing No. 17/A35/48/019 which will be displayed at the meeting). It will therefore reduce both eastbound and westbound traffic on the section of the A35 between Colbury junction and Rushington roundabout. It will also help to reduce the amount of inappropriate traffic which currently uses the Foxhills area of Ashurst.

The scheme is an integral part of the phased strategic approach to dealing with traffic conditions in Lyndhurst and will include the implementation of traffic management and local access improvements along the A35 through Ashurst.

On 17 October 2000 the New Forest Transportation Strategy Members' Panel approved the preferred layout for the right turn facility at Colbury and agreed that further detailed work be undertaken. On 6 December 2001 that Panel then approved the consultation plan for the scheme. On 15 January 2002 the Executive Member for Environment recommended approval for the capital funding for the scheme, which was ratified by the Cabinet. The Strategy Members' Panel received a progress report on 27 March 2002. At an informal meeting on 5 June 2002, a report on the results of the public consultation and the resulting modifications that have been made to the scheme was considered (see attached appendix).

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

The scheme is the principal capital scheme within the New Forest Transport Strategy five year programme and accords with the strategy objectives.

Details of scheme and design standards

The proposed traffic signal layout is the result of two feasibility studies that considered different options (as detailed in section 4). The layout now being pursued consists of two signal controlled right turn lanes and one left turn lane (not signal controlled) on the A326 off-slip. A section of the central reserve on the A35 will be hard paved to allow A326 traffic to make the right turn. To achieve suitable forward visibility to the new junction from the start of the A326 off-slip, the existing retaining wall will be realigned and extended. Anti-skid surfacing will be laid on all three approaches to the proposed signals. The lane layout between the existing Colbury roundabout and the proposed signals will be revised to accommodate traffic flows from the A35 eastbound and the A326 northbound.

The proposed traffic management works through Ashurst are designed to reduce traffic speed, improve pedestrian facilities and enhance safety. This is achieved by a number of traffic management measures, including gateways, carriageway markings and coloured surfacing, junction improvements and side road accesses, pedestrian refuges, drop kerbs and tactile paving.

The design adheres to the design standards of the Department for Transport, together with those of the County Council. Road safety audits have been undertaken at the appropriate stages in the design process.

Environmental impact

The right turn facility is intended to keep through traffic on strategic roads through the New Forest. This is expected to reduce congestion on smaller roads currently used by inappropriate through traffic. The volume of westbound traffic through Ashurst is predicted to increase, however the volume of traffic through Lyndhurst High Street is predicted to decrease. The traffic management measures proposed for Ashurst are expected to lower traffic speed.

Locally at Colbury junction, there will be the visual impact of the signal heads.

In Ashurst there will be the visual impact of the increased amount of carriageway markings and coloured surfacings. The proximity of the New Forest has been considered in the design of these features.

Land requirements

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

Statutory procedures

There are no statutory requirements.

Public consultation

Comprehensive public consultation was undertaken in March 2002. The County Council has worked closely with New Forest District Council, Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council and the local member, Councillor Bright, to promote the scheme. They support the scheme, subject to the traffic movements being monitored after the scheme's introduction. Totton and Eling Town Council, Lyndhurst Parish Council and Councillor Mrs Randall all support the right turn facility as proposed.

Councillor Estlin said "I am fully supportive of the proposals for the Colbury right turn and Ashurst traffic calming measures which will contribute towards the effective management of traffic within the New Forest.

There has been a great deal of consultation on the scheme with the local community, the parish council and Members and officers from the County Council and New Forest District Council. This has been through a variety of fora, including officer and Member working groups, to discuss local detailed concerns which have brought forward positive changes to the scheme since the consultation programme.

An informal meeting took place on 5 June 2002 where all County Members whose areas would be affected by the scheme were present. A few minor detailed issues are still to be resolved by officers working closely with the district and parish councils and will be included within the final scheme."

A meeting of the above group is planned once the scheme is constructed and operational, to consider feedback and agree the level of monitoring required.

Facilities for the disabled

Throughout Ashurst drop kerbs and tactile paving are proposed at all side roads and accesses where they meet the A35.

Maintenance implications

The traffic signal equipment will require maintenance. New street lighting will be provided at the junction, but the number of lighting columns will be comparable to the existing layout. Anti-skid surfacing will be provided on all approaches to the junction and there will be an increased maintenance cost with this material.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

The proposed pedestrian facilities through Ashurst will support sustainable modes of transport. The pedestrian refuges through Ashurst will make crossing the A35 easier for those who use the bus. The works will also assist the future development of the cycle network between Southampton and Lyndhurst.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Feasibility studies considered other layouts to the right turn. These were loops, roundabouts and link roads. They were rejected as they either required third party land, demolition of property, would cost more, impacted on a Site of Interest for Nature Conservation (SINC) or had operational problems compared to the proposed signal layout.

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

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